Related Posts
How Often Should Floors Be Waxed in Commercial Buildings?
Commercial floors take a lot of daily abuse. Employees, customers, carts, equipment, dirt, moisture and outdoor debris can gradually wear down a floor’s finish, leaving it looking dull, scratched or difficult to maintain.
So, how often should commercial floors be waxed?
For many commercial buildings, floor waxing or floor finishing may be needed every 3 to 6 months, but there is no universal schedule. High-traffic areas may require maintenance more frequently, while low-traffic spaces may go longer between applications. The type of flooring and the manufacturer’s maintenance recommendations should always be considered.
It is also important to understand that not every modern commercial floor needs traditional waxing. Some flooring products have factory-applied protective finishes or are designed to be maintained without wax or polish.
What Determines How Often a Commercial Floor Should Be Waxed?
Several factors affect how frequently a commercial floor needs a new protective finish.
1. Amount of Foot Traffic
Foot traffic is one of the biggest factors.
A busy retail store, office lobby, school hallway or medical facility can experience thousands of footsteps every day. High-traffic areas can lose their shine and protective finish much faster than quieter areas.
Commercial buildings with heavy traffic may require more frequent floor maintenance, including scrubbing, polishing, burnishing or re-coating.
2. Type of Flooring
Not all flooring materials should be treated the same way.
Vinyl composition tile (VCT), some vinyl flooring and other resilient flooring products may benefit from a compatible floor finish. However, some modern flooring systems are specifically designed to require little or no waxing.
For example, certain Tarkett linoleum products use factory-applied surface treatments that eliminate the need for polishing, stripping or polymer waxing when properly maintained.
Before applying any wax or floor finish, always check the flooring manufacturer’s maintenance instructions.
3. Existing Floor Finish
The condition of the existing finish is another important consideration.
If a floor still has a healthy protective layer and maintains its appearance, completely stripping and re-finishing it may not be necessary. Routine cleaning and restorative maintenance can help extend the life of the existing finish.
When a floor becomes visibly worn, uneven or difficult to restore through routine maintenance, a strip-and-recoat procedure may be appropriate. Tarkett, for example, outlines restorative procedures that include removing existing finish and applying new coats when the finish has become worn or uneven.
4. Type of Business
Different commercial environments place different demands on flooring.
| Commercial Environment | Typical Floor Maintenance Considerations |
|---|---|
| Office buildings | Moderate traffic; routine cleaning and periodic re-coating |
| Retail stores | High traffic; frequent appearance-focused maintenance |
| Schools | Heavy traffic; durable finish and regular cleaning are important |
| Medical facilities | Frequent cleaning and careful product selection |
| Restaurants | High traffic, spills and grease require frequent cleaning |
| Industrial facilities | Heavy equipment, carts and concentrated traffic areas |
| Commercial lobbies | Appearance is particularly important because of constant visitor traffic |
These are general guidelines rather than fixed schedules. A professional floor-care assessment can determine the appropriate maintenance frequency for each facility.
Signs That Your Commercial Floor Needs Attention
Instead of relying only on a calendar, facility managers should monitor the condition of the floor.
Signs that a floor may need restorative maintenance include:
- A noticeable loss of shine
- Visible scratches and scuff marks
- Worn traffic lanes
- Uneven appearance
- Areas where the protective finish appears thin or damaged
- Dirt becoming increasingly difficult to remove
- Discoloration or staining
- Frequent need for aggressive cleaning to maintain appearance
Waxing Is Only One Part of Commercial Floor Care
A common mistake is to think that applying wax or finish is enough to maintain a commercial floor.
In reality, an effective floor-care program includes several levels of maintenance.
Daily Cleaning
Regular sweeping, dust mopping, vacuuming and damp mopping help remove dirt and grit before they can scratch or wear the floor.
Entrance mats are also important because they help reduce the amount of soil and moisture brought into a building.
Routine Scrubbing
Depending on the facility, mechanical scrubbing can help remove embedded dirt and maintain the appearance of the floor.
Periodic Restoration
Depending on the floor and finish, restorative maintenance may include spray buffing, burnishing, scrubbing and re-coating.
These procedures can help extend the life of the floor finish and reduce the need for complete stripping.
Strip and Refinish
When the existing finish becomes badly worn, uneven or difficult to restore, the floor may need to be stripped and refinished.
The process generally involves removing the old finish, thoroughly cleaning and rinsing the floor, allowing it to dry, and applying a compatible new floor finish according to the product manufacturer’s instructions.
How Can You Make Commercial Floor Wax Last Longer?
A consistent maintenance program can significantly reduce unnecessary wear.
To help extend the life of a commercial floor finish:
- Clean floors regularly to remove abrasive dirt and grit.
- Use entrance mats at exterior doors.
- Clean spills promptly to prevent staining and damage.
- Use the correct cleaning products for the specific flooring.
- Avoid excessive chemical concentrations, which can damage flooring or leave residue.
- Use appropriate floor pads and equipment.
- Address high-traffic areas before they become heavily worn.
- Follow the flooring and finish manufacturer’s recommendations.
Selecting the appropriate finish for the traffic level and maintaining floors properly can help reduce the frequency of intensive maintenance procedures such as stripping and top scrubbing.
Should You Wax Commercial Floors Every 3 Months?
Not necessarily.
A three-month schedule can be appropriate for some high-traffic commercial environments, but other facilities may require maintenance more or less frequently.
Rather than automatically waxing every three months, facility managers should consider:
- Floor type
- Amount of foot traffic
- Condition of the existing finish
- Type of business
- Cleaning frequency
- Desired appearance
- Manufacturer recommendations
- Seasonal changes in dirt and moisture
A condition-based maintenance program can be more effective than applying a fixed schedule to every area of a building.
Professional Commercial Floor Care
Maintaining commercial floors requires more than simply making them look shiny. Proper floor care helps protect the flooring investment, maintain a professional appearance and reduce the need for premature repair or replacement.
If your commercial floors are becoming dull, scratched or difficult to maintain, it may be time for a professional floor-care assessment.
Maintenance CleanNet Canada provides professional commercial cleaning and floor-care services for businesses and facilities. A customized maintenance program can help determine whether your floors need routine cleaning, restorative maintenance, re-coating or a complete strip-and-refinish service.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often should commercial floors be waxed?
Many commercial floors may need re-coating approximately every 3 to 6 months, but the appropriate frequency depends on traffic, flooring type, existing finish and maintenance practices.
Can high-traffic commercial floors need waxing more often?
Yes. Heavy foot traffic can wear down floor finishes faster, particularly in entrances, hallways, lobbies and other busy areas.
Does every commercial floor need wax?
No. Some modern flooring products are designed to be maintained without traditional wax or polish. Always check the manufacturer’s recommendations.
What are the signs that a floor needs to be refinished?
Common signs include dullness, worn traffic lanes, scratches, scuffing, uneven finish and difficulty maintaining the floor’s appearance.
Is waxing the same as stripping and refinishing?
No. Applying a new floor finish is different from stripping. Stripping removes the existing finish before a new finish is applied, and it is generally reserved for floors where routine or restorative maintenance is no longer sufficient.
How can businesses make floor finishes last longer?
Regular cleaning, entrance mats, prompt spill removal, appropriate cleaning products and routine maintenance can help reduce wear and extend the life of the floor finish.