What type of coating or finish should I use on my floors?

When it comes to coating your floors (tile or concrete), we typically recommend using an epoxy-based sealer or finish, as these are the most durable and chemically-resistant.

If you currently have a sealer or finish on your floor that you are experiencing compatibility issues with (i.e. hazing, severe staining or discoloration), it could be due to the type of sealer that you are using, and an easy fix might be switching to a more durable epoxy-based sealer. Before doing this, however, make sure to review your cleaning & disinfecting protocols first to ensure that the reaction is not being caused by inaccurate dilution, over-saturation on the surface, or even spillage of full-strength concentrated solution.

Please note that any sealer, despite it being described as chemical-resistant or heavy-duty, will degrade over time with chemical exposure and daily wear and tear, and will require re-application. 

If you decide that it would be best to reseal your floors with an epoxy-based sealer or finish, make sure to follow the manufacturer's instructions for application carefully. This will typically involve stripping your floors of their current sealant, thoroughly cleaning them, and then applying the new sealer.

We use an epoxy coating on our production facility floors here at Virox Technologies (concrete floors) where we manufacture AHP® and Rescue Disinfectants. This coating is extremely durable and we only need to re-apply once a year. The product we use is called Stonkote HT4, from Stonhard, this is an opaque, 100% solids epoxy coating, however there are also epoxy coatings that come with a transparent finish as well.

AHP® (the technology within Rescue™ Disinfectants) is also widely used by many of our partners in human healthcare and hospital settings across North America. Some of the sealers that they have had good experience with include:

• Plaza Plus Sealer/Finish- good for concrete and tile
• Standout Durable Floor Finish- good for tile

Do a Compatibility Test: We always suggest conducting a compatibility test on your floor or surface (video below):

 

Additional suggestions:

• Ensure that the recommended dilutions are being used, and for the appropriate contact times.
  • 1:16 dilution (8oz/gallon) with a 5-minute contact time for high-risk areas, isolation areas, or during outbreak scenarios
  • 1:64 dilution (2oz/gallon) with a 5-minute contact time for daily disinfection of general areas
• If you are using the stronger 1:16 dilution more frequently in one particular area, adding in an occasional rinse with water will help to remove any detergent residue and to protect the surface
• If there is a spill of full-strength concentrate, ensure it is cleaned up right away as this will help to preserve the material integrity of the surface. There are approved equipment and accessories that are compatible with the Rescue solution, that are designed to make dispensing and dilution easy and to eliminate any risk of spills. You can view the equipment catalog here: Rescue Disinfectants Equipment Catalog
• Ensure not to over-saturate the surface you are disinfecting as this not only uses unnecessary amounts of disinfectant solution, but it also increases the wear and tear on the surface
• Only use cold water- using hot or warm water will allow some of the coating to be more easily removed
• Doing an occasional rinse can help to lift up any detergent residue and prevent buildup on the floor, which helps keep the appearance clean and streak-free
• When mopping the floor, ensure it is saturated enough to stay wet for the duration of the contact time, but do your best to avoid over-saturation
• Always follow the recommendations provided by the manufacturer of your floor and floor coating for cleaning and disinfecting these materials.
• Occasional use of a floor buffer can prevent hazing or removal of the coating over time.