Any manufacturing operation can represent a tough environment, and organisations need to be sure that they protect their equipment, assets and property if they're going to run efficiently and turn a profit long-term. One of the elements that needs particular attention, as it attracts the most wear and tear, is the typical concrete floor found in factories around the country. How can you best protect the concrete surfaces from the inevitable degradation and the ongoing cost of maintenance?

Risks of No Treatment

While concrete is a tough flooring material, it is bound to suffer its fair share of erosion if left unprotected, from chemical spills, high levels of heat, impact and traffic. Given time, an untreated concrete floor can wear away so much that it will require complete replacement.

In the meantime, it's not easy to clean, especially when damage has already been caused, leaving rough edges, pits and hollows. This can create additional headaches for plant owners, especially if cleanliness and sanitation are an important factor. There's nothing worse than having to double down on cleaning duties to ensure that harmful bacteria does not hide away in these crevices, waiting to be discovered by government inspectors down the road.

Choosing the Covering

All these bare surfaces need to be protected using a specialised protective coating system, made for industrial applications. There are a number of different options available, according to the specific needs of the plant.

Hot Water Risks

For example, it may be advantageous to lay a urethane covering on top of the base cement, due to its impact resistance and moisture-repellent properties. This is laid just like a typical layer of cement, on top of the base surface. It bonds very well and is excellent for locations where hot water spills are a daily fact of life.

Coating with Epoxy

If extremely high temperatures are not a hazard in your particular plant, you might be able to lay an epoxy coating instead. These also adhere to the concrete base very well and protect against spills and general wear and tear. These durable coatings are nonskid and offer resistance to harsh chemicals, and they can be laid in a variety of different colours or textures.

Best of Both Worlds

In certain circumstances, it may be possible to lay an epoxy coating, followed by a thin layer of urethane, to provide resistance to virtually every threat.

What Do You Need?

Have a word with your supplier to talk about your particular requirements and see which coating is best.

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