In any well-maintained industrial setting whether it be a factory, warehouse, engineering

workshop or other, the floor is probably the part which can most often be subject to

catastrophic damage. Industrial floors are usually made of concrete which although hard-

wearing can be prone to corrosion. In this article we will look at the most common types of

damage.

 

Moisture

One of the biggest threats to any building of any type of construction is moisture. Dampness

can seep into a building in various ways from the top to the bottom. A faulty roof can allow

rainwater to drip into a building causing a steady build-up on the floor below. Damaged

gutters, pipes and exterior brickwork can all play their part in allowing moisture to

penetrate through and spread across the floor almost un-noticed. Concrete is porous so

when water gets in it will eventually start to erode the structure of the concrete. This can be

doubly problematic when water within the flooring material goes through a constant

freeze/thaw cycle. Small flakes will start to detach from the concrete and if the problem is

not treated quickly this could lead to the complete disintegration of a concrete floor. Water

which is allowed to sit just under the surface of a concrete floor can also cause a defect

called delamination, where a very thin layer of concrete detaches from the underlying slab.

 

Heavy Machinery

Industrial floors are more often than not laid as a series of slabs joined together and it is this

very construction which makes a floor vulnerable to cracking, particularly around the joints

and edges. And the thing which can exacerbate this problem is heavy machinery. For

example static machinery which is constantly in use can cause vibrations to travel down

through the floor beneath. A fork lift truck or other heavy load carrier will contribute

towards the movement of the floor and deflection of the joints. In all cases heavy machine

movement can over time erode joints and edges and even destroy the overall surface of the

floor.

 

Spillages

Regular spillages of any description from oils and fats to chemicals and acids will eventually

do enormous damage to an industrial floor. In some cases the damage will be instantly

obvious and in others it will build up gradually. Many salts and acids attack the structure of

concrete and gradually break it down so that it becomes more porous and so attracts and

retains water. Some oils and greases if allowed to build up will form a dangerous layer on

the surface of the floor which apart from damaging the floor itself can be hazardous to

people.

Of course, for all of the above problems plus many others, there is a solution at hand.

Whether you need an epoxy mortar kit for speedy repairs to cracks or you need a

Hydroscreed epoxy to provide protection from chemicals, acids, fats or salt solutions, you

can be assured of a fast and easy way to keep your industrial floor in perfect condition.