The holidays are just around the corner. It’s an exciting time in retail and the busiest of the year for many businesses. That means your store’s flooring will (hopefully) be seeing increased foot traffic.
So, how do you prepare? Damaged flooring, after all, is a hazard for both clients and employees, so you’ll need to maintain your floors to prevent accidents.
At The Reno Superstore, we understand the challenges of maintaining commercial flooring, especially during one of the busiest times of the year. So, here are our top tips on how to maintain it in the best way possible.
Let’s get started.
How to Maintain Commercial Flooring During the Holiday Season
Your business will have enough challenges this holiday season, from delayed stock arrivals to angry customers, so your flooring shouldn’t be one of them too. Learn how to best protect your commercial flooring during the busiest time of the year for retailers.
1. Assess Possible Risks
Preparation goes a long way toward protecting your floors against accidents. Since commercial spaces like restaurants and stores see a lot of business during the holidays, it’s always a good idea to assess possible risks in and around your establishment.
For instance, does your entryway have any damage that can cause possible accidents? What happens if a frozen pipe bursts? Conducting thorough risk management can help you solve many problems and prevent possible accidents. If your floors seem beyond repair, consider installing new commercial flooring.
Not sure how to buy the right commercial flooring for your business? We have an exhaustive selection of flooring solutions for any business space.
2. Prevent Mud and Sand from Being Tracked In
As customers enter your store, they bring in the dirt, mud, and other solid debris. The result is muddy, dirty, scratched-up floors that your staff likely won’t be able to completely clean.
The best thing you can do is install large mats at the entryway, which is likely the busiest area of your business. And high-traffic zones are usually the messiest. You know your business best, so it pays to anticipate the busiest spaces and place mats or carpets there to manage solid debris.
3. Arrange Round-the-Clock Clean-Ups
Depending on the type of business you own, it is best to schedule maintenance and cleaning around your busiest hours.
This can be a challenge for commercial spaces that observe extended opening hours, but not impossible. Ensure a round-the-clock cleaning protocol for the busiest areas in your business. This will help to clear away debris and protect both clients and employees from potential slip and fall injuries.
Consumers will often keep stashing waste into overfilled trash cans, which is not only unhygienic but unsafe. To counter that, set out extra garbage bins and arrange for regular 24-hour clean-up.
4. Watch the Heat
As temperatures drop, there is nothing cozier than the bliss of indoor warmth. That means you may have to crank the thermostat in your business. But this is not good if you have solid hardwood flooring, as sharp fluctuations in temperature cause timber flooring to contract and expand, leading to damage. When you crank the heat, hardwood floors will dry out quickly, which leads to cracks and shrinking in the floorboards.
The best solution is to use a humidifier to keep your clients warm and prevent damage to your hardwood floors.
5. Manage Possible Water Damage
Water damage from leaking air conditioners, damaged pipes, or bad weather doesn’t spare top commercial flooring solutions. And not addressing it can lead to major flooring issues and expensive repairs to your floors and subfloors. Moreover, damp commercial spaces can promote mould and mildew, which can lead to serious health issues for employees.
The solution is to always address water damage immediately. Please note that improper installation can speed up damage and lead to expensive repairs. So, choose The Reno Superstore for top-notch installation services in and around Toronto and Mississauga.
6. Ensure Safety Policies
The health and safety of your clients and employees is a top priority. If you are renovating, doing maintenance on, or cleaning up your commercial space, indicate it via proper signage. This allows both visitors and employees to take precautions.
If your store is undergoing major construction, make sure the area is kept debris-free to minimize injuries and accidents.
Simply investing in brand-new floors is not enough. But protecting them by implementing proactive measures can work wonders for commercial spaces. Simple measures like addressing ongoing issues can help you save a lot of money in the long run. Of course, this also means healthier and longer-lasting floors. The holidays are a busy time, and it’s important to create a safe space for both your employees and clients to enjoy the festive season. Get in touch with us to help you make your customers’ holidays extra special. Explore our large collection of flooring and other home renovation products and services. Enjoy big savings and more.