VCT or Vinyl Composite Tile is one of the most common types of flooring for commercial buildings.
This durable yet cost effective flooring is commonly found in hallways, cafeterias, restrooms, classrooms, and exam rooms. The finish of these floors is generally a glossy sheen, each 12” square tile is glued to the floor and then coated with a finish to give it a shine. To keep up it’s shiny and clean appearance VCT flooring does need to be maintained regularly. In this article we’ve provided some tips on keeping your VCT floor in top condition.
You Need More than the Factory Finish
When your new VCT floors arrive from the manufacturer they have a thin layer of wax that is only meant as a barrier of protection during the shipping and installation process. The factory finish is not strong enough for daily wear and tear after installation. Once installed at least two coats of wax should be applied to the VCT floors prior to having people in the space.
Daily Maintenance
Daily maintenance is an important first step to making sure your VCT floors continue to look their best. This is maintenance that should be done everyday to ensure that the floors stay clean and undamaged. Create a daily plan for your team that includes sweeping, vacuuming, and mopping. Each phase of this plan will ensure that the floors are maintained daily and that both large debris and small dust particles are removed. Mopping will ensure that the floor is clean at the end of each day.
Scrub and Re-coat
Periodic floor care should be completed when you start to experience noticeable wear and tear. Your VCT floors will need to have a new topcoat throughout the year. Traffic levels will help determine how often you should get your VCT floor recoated. For example, a busy office hallway will have more foot traffic than a small exam room and will need to be scrubbed and recoated more frequently. Make sure to track areas of traffic that will need more attention and more maintenance. VCT floors can be damaged if they are not re-coated often enough. Be sure to pay extra attention to rooms that contain computer chairs or other items as these also can quickly cause damage to the floors.
Restorative Maintenance
Along with daily, and periodic maintenance, VCT floors will also need to be fully stripped and finished generally once a year. This restorative maintenance should be done when your VCT floors can no longer be cleaned or replenished with daily and periodic care. This process will remove old layers of wax, dirt and will restore the floor to a brand new finish. Restorative maintenance will also help protect your VCT floors from future damage.
Finding the Right Team
An experienced team will be key in making sure that your VCT floors are restored properly and effectively. A well maintained floor can last for decades if cared for correctly. Finding a good contractor and team that will use their expertise to ensure that your VCT floors are properly taken care of is key.
Keeping up with a daily cleaning schedule as well as scheduled maintenance will ensure that you get the best return on your investment with your facilities VCT floors. Our team at The Night Shift will provide professional services for VCT floor cleaning and maintenance. Reach out to us to see how we can help.