Flooring – Protect it, manage it.

Specialist floorcare is often only considered when disaster strikes or when VIP visitors are expected. But with floor coverings representing a significant investment for any firm, they should have an asset management plan. Beaver Floorcare outlines how to devise an effective floor maintenance programme.

Whatever the sector, be it healthcare, social housing, retail or leisure, FM companies are faced with an array of assets that must be effectively managed and cared for to ensure their continued fitness for purpose and longevity. However, one investment which is often overlooked as an asset is flooring. In the same way that a piece of plant, machinery or equipment, such as lifts or air conditioning, require proficient maintenance to prevent them from breaking down or deteriorating, flooring, whether carpet or hard surface, also benefit from a planned management programme if it is to have longevity.

So how should a best practice floorcare regime be devised? Daily ongoing cleaning is, of course, vital to maintaining a general level of hygiene and cleanliness across an array of surfaces in many environments. However, varied flooring surfaces also require more specialised periodic cleaning. It is in this area that some organisations misguidedly try to save money by adopting a ‘crisis cleaning’ approach – waiting until the floors become very soiled before acting or appointing inadequately trained and ill-equipped cleaners. Both strategies are a false economy, as it will cost considerably more in the long-term if the cleaning needs to be repeated, or worse still if the flooring becomes damaged and requires repair or replacement.

By contrast, professionally trained, experienced cleaners have the necessary expertise to care for varied floor coverings and are able to complement the services provided by a cleaning contractor. A specialist floorcare consultancy can devise a bespoke asset management plan tailored to any given floor. This would usually begin with an audit immediately after the initial flooring installation, or perhaps three months later as part of a flooring ‘health check’. A number of variables are then considered, including the floor type, the volume of footfall, the areas subject to greatest wear and tear, the nature of activity within the premises, the exterior environment, the required flooring appearance and budgetary constraints.

The proposed regime would then detail which equipment and cleaning chemicals to use on a daily, weekly, monthly and quarterly basis, with the floorcare specialist typically returning to carry out the more complex maintenance exercises. A sports hall floor, for example, is likely to benefit from our wood floor maintenance services, an annual interim screen whereby a light abrasive is worked over the floor before the wood is recoated with lacquer to prolong its lifespan, maintain its appearance and ensure it remains slip-free. This eliminates the need for a full floor restoration process, which saves money and is better for the environment.

The benefits of a carefully planned and executed floor maintenance programme are gaining momentum in the UK, as FM companies acknowledge that they can enhance the appearance of facilities while also achieving long-term financial and environmental benefits for clients.

With increasing demands being placed on FMs, as their commercial and industrial clients cope with financial challenges and evolving waste management targets, now is the time to capitalise on specialist floorcare expertise, to ensure facilities remain welcoming, hygienic and safe.

If you require any further information, advice or would like to book a FREE site survey please contact us – 01564 742 095