Commercial carpeting represents a significant investment. Every business person understands that in order to protect an investment decisions have to be made. A carefully executed carpet maintenance plan is the difference between a beautiful floor covering that will last for many years and a shabby one that will wear prematurely. The following steps will aide you in developing a maintenance plan that insures that you get the full dollar value of your investment.

Identify traffic areas
Look at the building layout and determine what each area is used for. If the facility is large it is wise to do this with a layout plan. Mark the plan with a number system. Example: Heavy traffic areas = 1, light traffic areas = 3.
Marking the layout plan in this way will give you the overall picture. A carpet/maintenance professional with experience in your particular environment would be a valuable asset in this stage.

Understand the importance of proper matting
The next step is to look beyond the site plan and determine how soils get into your carpet in the first place. . The obvious answer is to concentrate on the entrances to the building. Proper use of matting will help here. Interior and exterior mats are recommended at each entrance. Exterior mats act to grab large dirt particles while interior ones grab smaller particles. If you are not using a mat service it is important to put these in your maintenance schedule as well. A dirty and compacted mat will actually contribute to soiling if left unchecked.

Look beyond the entrance.
Start looking in other areas as well. For instance a parking lot with grease spills can wreck havock on most flooring surfaces. Asphalt parking lots can present challenges, especially if the fiber content of your carpet is olefin (polypropylene). Olefin is an “oil loving” fiber, meaning it attracts oil which will make the carpet look unsightly and possibly yellow from asphalt. Correct chemistry is needed to remove these greasy soils when cleaning.

Look at interior areas as well. Machine shops, warehouses, cafeterias and other areas adjacent to carpeted areas may also need attention.

Vacuuming
The dirt on most carpet is primarily made up of loose soil. These soils eventually start to abrade the carpet fibers decreasing its lifespan. Use your site plan to develop a vacuuming schedule. Heavily soiled areas naturally require more frequent vacuuming. It is also important that you have the right vacuum for the job. A Hepa style vacuum is desirable because it helps to eliminate indoor air pollution. In order to get maximum performance from the vacuum remember to change the bag or empty the dirt cup often and check for obstructions. A clogged vacuum is not doing you any good.

Spot cleaning
Because of budget restrains periodic spot cleanings are sometimes left for the in-house staff. It is important that they have proper equipment and a general knowledge of carpet cleaning. Spotters with no dirt attracting residue are recommended. Many spotters leave behind a residue which results in spots reappearing shortly after cleaning.

Maintenance and restorative cleaning
No matter how much dirt is removed by vacuuming, professional cleaning at regular intervals is necessary.
Have you ever noticed the appearance of the carpet in high end casinos? It is no accident that the carpet is never allowed to go so long between professional cleanings that it looks dirty. Talk with a professional carpet cleaner to determine your own needs. A well thought out maintenance plan will help you get the most out of your investment.

The article is written by Albert Lazo. Owner and operator of Crystal Chem-Dry.

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Commercial Maintenance