How the Environment Impacts Your Floors
Floor damage from environmental factors are a constant threat to every business. Depending on where you are or what time of year it is, weather could spell disaster for your floors. Preventing that damage is the best thing you can do for them, but prevention must be thorough. That’s where NDC Mats can help.
Your Floor’s Enemies: Seasons, Weather, Environment, and Traffic
Enemies of your floor are the same, regardless of the material it’s made of. Wood, tile, and linoleum are all affected by these factors, though their sensitivities are different.
Wood
Wood flooring is the most sensitive to the environment. It will warp in shifting temperatures, discolor in the presence of water, and scratch under snow and traffic. Left unattended long enough, these factors, especially water, will do irreversible damage. Once that kind of damage is done, your only recourse is to replace it. This is an expensive and time-consuming process that your business doesn’t need.
Because wood is porous, it absorbs water like a sponge. Even with treatment, water left on it long enough will soak in and do the same damage. Once mold sets up, the only thing to do is replace.
Wood also has the added sensitivity of scratching. When it’s snowing and salt is used to de-ice the roads, it gets into your business. Though useful on the road, salt presence is a huge problem for your wood floors. If not soaked up or swept, foot traffic will rub it into the floor, scratching it along the way.
Tile
More resistant to abrasion than wood, tile will resist the elements with more success. It is not safe from corruption, though. While salt doesn’t present much of an issue besides light scratching, water is just as problematic.
Its weakness is grouting. Grouting is porous and, while it will initially resist absorption, it won’t forever. Once water gets through the grouting, it sets up underneath the tile on the sub-flooring, which does absorb it. Not long after, the same issues arise as wood flooring. Only now you have to tear up the tile and sub-flooring to fix the problem.
Linoleum
Linoleum is the most resistant to damage thanks to the potential length between its edges. It is by no means invulnerable, though. Even with perfect installation, water can still penetrate around the edges like tile. As a result, linoleum is susceptible to the same vulnerabilities.
With improper installation or poor sub-flooring work, the chances of water infiltration get even higher.
How to Protect Your Floors From Environmental Damage
There’s no getting away from the environment and the hazards it brings to your floor. The best thing you can do for them is to take preventative measures to ensure their longevity. For floors, the best prevention is quality floor mats.
At NDC, you’ll have access to every kind of floor mat that your business needs to run efficiently and safely. We have:
- Scraper Mats
- Entrance Mats
- Anti-Fatigue Mats
- Safety Mats
- Custom Mats
- Restroom Mats
- Slip-Resistant Mats
- Wet Area Mats
- Special Order and Custom Size Mats
NDC Mats is Here for You
NDC is the leader of mat rental services in the New Jersey and New York Metro Area. When you work with us, you’re working with time-tested industry leadership, quality products, and customer-service excellence.
To join our happy customers, give us a call at (800) 238-2387 or visit our website! Don’t forget to ask for a free quote. We look forward to hearing from you!
