Industrial Concrete Floor Joint Maintenance
A well-maintained industrial concrete floor is critical to long-term productivity. It’s important to remember that an industrial concrete floor is not a “static” building component. An industrial concrete floor can experience dynamic changes throughout the service life, especially during the first few years after placement. Changes in temperature, humidity, material handling vehicles/loading and many other factors can impact the integrity of the concrete floor.
According to Metzger/McGuire, some of the factors that can have an impact on the wearing surface or the integrity of the floor surface, joint edges or joint filler throughout the life of the floor include:
Operational
- Changes in material handling vehicle types
- Changes in MHV loading, traffic frequency or pattern
- Dragging or pushing pallets across the floor
- Pallet nails/debris caught under MHV wheels
- Frequency and/or aggressiveness of floor cleaning
Naturally Occurring
- Ambient temperature fluctuations
- Seasonal or periodic moisture/humidity changes
- Normal concrete slab mass shrinkage (generally 1-5 yrs)
Monitoring and Maintenance of Floor Conditions
Early identification of potential deterioration spots and timely maintenance/repair of any suspect areas can mean the difference between a relatively fast and inexpensive correction and a steadily worsening condition requiring more difficult and costly repair. One of the keys to ensuring an industrial concrete floor remains serviceable and durable throughout its life is to frequently monitor its condition and quickly identify joints, cracks, etc. that appear to be showing early signs of wear or deterioration.
- Schedule an inspection of the floor on a periodic basis (often monthly).
- Photograph and document any areas which show signs of potential deterioration or unusual wear.
- Floor areas requiring attention should be prioritized and ranked according to severity, relative impact on operations, and urgency of any necessary corrective action.
- Determine whether corrective actions and/or ongoing maintenance will be performed by in-house personnel or outsourced and schedule action items.
Concrete Floors That are Consistently Repaired and Maintained Will Last Years Longer and Reduce Overall Costs
Proactive concrete floor repair ensures the integrity and stability of a facility’s foundation by addressing potential defects early. Since concrete is rather porous, even small surface cracks and chips can quickly become rather large issues because of day to day use and traffic. Consistent monitoring, maintenance and repair will improve the integrity of industrial concrete floors. Custom Concrete Prep and Polish recommends Metzger/McGuire concrete joint filler products to protect and repair industrial floors.
