It’s no secret that polished concrete floors offer several advantages over other flooring options, from cost efficiency to durability. But attention to cleanliness in recent years has brought another polished concrete benefit to light: easy sanitation.
Research shows that smooth, hard surfaces are easier to sanitize, hold fewer germs, and may even lead to better air quality. The result? A safer environment for your commercial or residential building.
Let’s take a closer look at the sanitation benefits of concrete polishing.
4 SANITATION BENEFITS OF POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS
1. POLISHED CONCRETE DOESN’T HOLD DIRT & DUST THE SAME WAY AS OTHER FLOORING TYPES
Many flooring options, like vinyl, carpet, and tile, have an unfortunate habit of holding in dirt and other filth, requiring extensive cleaning efforts. Built-up dirt and dust can cause a whole host of health issues, from allergies to even asthma attacks.
Fortunately, polished concrete floors don’t have this issue. There are no tile joints, large pores, or other cavities for contaminants to get trapped in. As a result, a polished concrete floor won’t hold onto dust, dirt, animal dander, dust mites, and the like. And dust and dirt that does exist on the surface can be easily cleaned.
This makes any spills or contamination easy to spot—and easy to clean up. In contrast, other flooring options can require extensive vacuuming and still won’t be completely free of grime.
2. BACTERIA CAN’T GROW ON POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS
Carpets and other flooring options that hold in that dirt and dust can house millions of bacteria. Even tile, hardwood, and some types of natural stone can play host to pathogens and other microorganisms.
Polishing concrete creates an incredibly smooth surface, with no cavities—meaning that it’s impossible for bacteria to latch onto this type of flooring. As you can imagine, this level of cleanliness is quite attractive to institutions that value sanitation, whether to maintain a safe working environment for employees or to protect students going about their day.
3. CONCRETE POLISHING RESULTS IN ZERO MOLD GROWTH
The smooth, seamless surface of polished concrete means that this flooring option won’t allow for mold growth, just as it won’t hang onto dust and dirt. This makes it an ideal flooring choice for use in areas that are frequently damp or at general risk for mold growth.
It doesn’t take much for mold and mildew to begin growing—usually, all you need is a little moisture. An improperly dried rug can start to smell moldy after just a few days. Mold and mildew can also cause their fair share of reactions in people, from a stuffy nose to itchy eyes. More severe reactions could involve shortness of breath or fever.
These fungi are particularly likely to grow indoors when conditions are excessively damp. That means anything from a leaky pipe to an area that is improperly ventilated could lead to mold growth and resulting health issues in employees, students, or other property visitors.
The takeaway here is that anything that could potentially limit the risk of mold and mildew (and the extensive fees that come with their removal) is a benefit to the institution.
4. POLISHED CONCRETE FLOORS ARE EASY TO CLEAN
Lastly, polished concrete floors are simple and easy to clean and sanitize. Safety is quickly becoming the name of the game, but efficiency remains a driving factor of change for many businesses. This flooring option just so happens to offer both.
A daily dust mop and regular wet mopping with a pH-neutral cleanser will go a long way in maintaining these surfaces and keeping them free of grime. For a large area, an automatic floor scrubber equipped with non-abrasive brushes will make the process go even quicker.
CONCRETE POLISHING TOOLS & TIPS FROM RUNYON SURFACE PREP
The world is changing, and we’re here to help you change with it. Whether you’re experiencing an unprecedented demand for projects while businesses are closed or looking for ways to improve your service offerings, Runyon Surface Prep is your perfect partner.
We’ll outfit you with the concrete polishing machines and supplies you need, including concrete equipment and concrete polishing pads, when and where you need them. Our robust inventory and shipping partnerships also mean it’s possible to have your order on a plane the same day you place it.
We’re always happy to offer our expertise and talk through any questions you may have. Don’t hesitate to reach out—we look forward to hearing from you.