How to Maintain your Handley Polyurethane coated Floors
Handley Industries recommends whether your coated timber floor is a commercial, sporting or domestic floor that you set up regular maintenance program. Routine maintenance not only enhances a floors appearance, sheen and slip resistance but also extends the life of your solid timber or engineered floor.
Whether it’s a commercial or domestic floor, conscientious care and maintenance regimes involve the following:
Protective Pads
Attach felt or recommended rubber or felt protector pads to the legs of chairs, tables and other furniture to protect the floor from being scratched and to reduce noise. Do not drag furniture across the floor.
Furniture
Allow the floor to dry thoroughly before placing furniture. Great care should be taken when moving and placing furniture. Furniture should be lifted and placed not dragged or pushed.
Entrance Matting
The natural enemy of a timber floor is dirt or grit particles that are walked into the home. These little particles walked onto the floor will create an abrasive effect that leads to “micro scratches” that accumulate and leave a floor looking tired in high traffic areas. This can also accelerate the general wear and tear on the floor surface, so the first point of action is to place a good quality grit catching matts all external entrances.
Cleaning
The use of harsh detergents is not recommended and nor are they necessary and should not be used on coated floors. It is recommended to use warm water with dish washing liquid (5-10ml in 5L). This solution will provide gentle but effective cleaning, removing built up grime with. It will be preferred to use a biodegradable cleaner. This will provide economical cleaning and rejuvenation to maintain the natural beauty of all types of floors.
Timber floors do not like too much water so always ensure that the mop is wrung out and not too wet. Occasionally drying the mopped floor with an old bath towel can also help to maintain a cleaner, clearer coated surface.
Spills
It is important to wipe up spills immediately on timber flooring whether it’s coated solid timber, prefinished engineered floor, cork or bamboo, even if the spill is water. Ensure that the surface is clean and dry and do not allow spills to sit for extended periods of time.
Nonslip rubber mats and / or protective mats should be placed in high use wet areas i.e.: adjacent kitchen sinks and bathrooms for added safety purposes and additional floor protection.
Vacuuming
A regular vacuuming program needs to be established to remove damaging particles. Fine dust and dirt will create not only a slip problem but also act as abrasives, causing the floor to scratch and prematurely wear. It is recommended that a commercial surface is vacuumed as regularly as required to minimise dust/grit, with a minimum of daily sweeping with an anti-static mop.
Maintenance of Water Based Polyurethane Floors - DO’S and DO NOTS
DO’S:
Attach felt protectors to the legs of chairs, tables and other furniture to protect the floor from being scratched and to reduce noise.
Keep your floors free of dirt, grit and abrasive particles. Placing good quality grit-catching mats at all external entrances is recommended.
Sweep using electrostatic microfibre mats and mops where possible to greatly cut down the need for maintenance. Fine dust and dirt will create a slip problem and act as abrasives, causing the floor to scratch and wear prematurely.
Wash floors regularly with hot water and a small amount of dishwashing detergent. Avoid flooding the floor while cleaning.
Clean up spills and standing water immediately.
We recommend commercial surfaces are swept as regularly as required to minimise dust and grit, with a minimum of daily sweeping using an anti-static mop or fringe mop.
Protect from UV light. All surfaces change colour with exposure to UV light and timber floors are no different. To keep your floor looking vibrant and maintain its natural beauty, ensure adequate window dressings are fitted or utilise protective UV film on windows, especially near floor-to-ceiling windows.
DO NOT’S:
Do not walk on the floor for 24 hours following coating. After 24 hours light traffic only (no shoes, socks only). Ideally avoid full traffic for 3-4 days. In commercial situations where this is not possible, avoid traffic for at least 24 hours and as long as realistic beyond this time.
Do not place furniture on the floor until dry. Do not push or drag furniture across the floor.
Avoid spiked / stiletto heel shoes on timber floors.
Do not wash floors with abrasive, concentrated or ammonia-based cleaners.
Do not use polish, waxes or silicon finishes (these will affect the bonding of additional coats.
Do not use scrubbing machines or ballroom dancing powder.
We do not recommend steam mops on our coatings.
Do not allow spills (even water) to sit for extended periods of time.