Summer can bring warmer days and drier conditions, but don’t be fooled, it can also mean more dust, increased traffic, and a different approach to maintenance for your floors. Address summer flooring issues with a targeted seasonal approach:

• Keep sand and debris to a minimum to avoid scratching your floors. Increase the frequency of sweeping and dry mopping inside the building. Install matting or carpeting at entryways – inside and out – to try and control how much dirt is tracked in from outside. Vacuum the interior often, and practice regular sweeping or use a power washer on walkways to try and keep the dirt away from your building.
• Many flooring types can contract and expand with temperature and humidity changes, so maintaining the recommended indoor humidity level between 30 and 50 per cent will help prevent warping, swelling, or cupping of wooden floors. If you are in a particularly humid region, consider fans, dehumidifiers, or air conditioning to help regulate temperature and humidity.
• Exposure to sunlight and UV rays can damage hardwood, vinyl, tile, and carpet, by breaking down pigments and dyes causing flooring to appear discoloured and dull, or result in warping, expanding, and even melting in some cases. Moving furniture around, closing blinds, and limiting direct exposure can help protect your flooring from sun damage.
• Look for wet floors. Besides posing a risk for slip and fall accidents, water can damage your flooring, resulting in bigger issues and higher costs. Hardwood and laminate floors can warp within hours of standing water, carpet can trap moisture quickly, and water can seep into the seams of vinyl flooring. Stay vigilant in identifying and eliminating any leaks, moisture sources, or water on your floors.

Maintaining your floors all year long means a dedicated approach each season. Carefully manage the amount of dirt and debris entering the building, monitor humidity and UV exposure, and eliminate water before it damages your flooring. Staying on top of summer floor care will simplify operations for commercial cleaners and maintenance teams.