LAY THE GROUNDWORK


Here, Oscar Peralta, West Coast Territory Sales Manager at National Flooring Equipment, explains factors contractors must consider during surface preparation in retail, hospitality and leisure facilities.


Flooring may not always be the prioritised feature when building or renovating a commercial space. However, the aesthetics and quality of the floor can greatly impact retail, hospitality and leisure facilities. Flooring for commercial buildings in these kinds of environment should be appealing to customers, as well as easy to keep clean to keep those customers safe.


When approaching any sort of renovation or build, project managers must be aware of how proper surface preparation can impact the appearance and lifespan of the chosen floorcovering. Any environment that gets heavy foot traffic every day, such as a shop or restaurant, must be able to withstand wear. This is one of the main factors contractors should consider when starting a surface preparation job, as doing the right preparation work is as important as choosing the right covering for a successful and long-lasting renovation.


Some facilities opt for carpet tiles as they are easier to maintain and repair. In shopping centres, for example, customers are likely to drop food or gum on the floor. With a modular carpet, facility managers can easily remove and replace any affected tiles to keep the floor clean. In these environments, customers are also likely to walk in some places more than others. To increase the lifespan of the covering, facility managers can rotate carpet tiles, taking tiles from areas where there is less foot traffic.


There are also more cost-efficient covering choices that require less maintenance in these commercial environments. Polished concrete, for example, does require more precise preparation but, once finished, it requires little maintenance and will withstand high levels of foot traffic.


However, choosing the correct floorcovering for the space does not always guarantee less maintenance. Surface preparation for commercial flooring can be a challenging job and it is certainly not one to be underestimated.


One of the main differences between preparing residential and commercial facilities is the scale of the job. Commercial spaces generally have a greater floor span and require larger equipment to efficiently complete the work. However,


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contractors should not assume that large spaces only require large equipment. Ease of accessibility, power sources and tight spaces can also determine the machines that contractors use during preparation.


When undertaking a project in commercial


environments the contractor faces a unique set of challenges. One such challenge is that it is not always possible to move expensive equipment out of the room while the surface preparation project is underway. This means that the contractor needs to find a way to protect equipment throughout the duration of the project.


Proper dust collection also needs to be put in place, because a dusty environment increases the risks of damaging equipment that has remained in the facility during preparation. An important part of this is pairing the chosen equipment with the corresponding dust collector. Maintaining a clean work environment reduces the risk of damage to equipment, as well as reducing the risk of dangerous silica dust inhalation for contractors, employees and visitors to the facility.


Contractors must also ensure that they efficiently prepare the substrate to ensure that the floor is free of contaminants and remains water tight. PH tests and calcium chloride tests detect contaminants and moisture on the substrate. Contractors must remove any contaminants or water found at its source to prevent water damage and other issues in the future.


Proper preparation from the inception of the job will save both facility managers and contractors from extensive repairs and renovations caused by moisture.


If the client has concerns about the project timeline, careful scheduling is the best option. In some projects it is possible to shut down one area at a time, but if this is not possible, careful planning becomes even more important. No matter the schedule, floor preparation in retail environments should never be rushed, as it is important for it to be done using the correct equipment and materials.


nationalequipment.com www.tomorrowscontractfloors.com


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