Maintenance is an important consideration if you want to maximize your carpet tile investment, once the right product for your new build or retrofit has been installed.
In this article, we will examine how to care for and maintain your carpet tile over its projected lifespan.
Carpet tile maintenance extends your long-term investment.
A good rule of thumb is to budget an extra 10-15% stock at time of purchase so that if a specific area becomes damaged or worn, individual tiles can simply be swapped out. This is especially apparent in heavy traffic zones like reception and under desk swivel chairs. Beyond regular wear and tear a maintenance program will also preserve appearance.
The Importance of Maintenance and Cleaning Programs
On an annual basis, there are three long-term maintenance strategies to protect your carpet, image and guarantee your overall investment:
1. If you maintain your carpets as per manufacturer guidelines, your 10-year appearance warranty will be met if any issues arise to the wear/appearance
2. The actual quality of the carpet appearance will last longer extending the life of your investment
3. A maintenance plan protects the image of your company on a monthly basis, rather than a once a year cleaning. Visible soiling and staining are reflected for the remaining 11 months and can cause damage
For general maintenance, modular systems can be easily cleaned by vacuuming. The backing commonly found on carpet tile allows for ease in spill and soiling removal. Staining is confined to the fibre rather than absorbent backing common in broadloom carpet. However, these simple steps may not be enough.
Darwin Fisher carpet tile installation: IMAX Headquarters
Darwin Fisher’s trusted partner program, offers a comprehensive client maintenance package through Toronto-based Interior Care. Established in 1964, Interior Care is owned and operated by the Linton family. Now in its third generation, it is one of the largest privately-owned specialty cleaning services in Canada.
Staff maintain over 700 corporate offices in Southern Ontario, cleaning in excess of 10 million square feet of carpet each month. “Our maintenance plans remove embedded dust and allergens not reachable by your daily vacuum service,” says Graham Linton, General Manager of Interior Care.
All employees at Interior Care are certified. The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration (IICRC) is an established certification body for the textile cleaning industry. Its standards are endorsed and a requirement of carpet manufacturers worldwide.
Darwin Fisher carpet tile installation: IMAX Headquarters
Interior Care service technicians are required to maintain their certification status by attending three annual, two-day IICRC instructed in-class programs . Each individual is required to maintain a passing grade of 80% as part of their ongoing training.
“Regularly maintained carpet tile by an IICRC certified firm will ensure a healthier environment for your employees,” explains Linton. This is especially important through Covid. “Regular carpet care (as specified by all carpet manufacturers) can increase carpet investment two to four years past the expected eight to 10-year life expectancy. When ignored, abrasive and gritty soiling wears on fibre which shortens appearance retention and can cause premature wear over time.”
Scheduled Maintenance Benefits
Linton’s team will visit the client on location and develop a maintenance plan for monthly, bi-monthly or quarterly service. This is determined by the appropriate level of maintenance required for the specified office.
Darwin Fisher carpet installation: Entertainment One
This is reliant on a number of factors including:
- Office traffic and number of employees
- Colour of the carpet (lighter carpets show more dirt and spills)
- Level of appearance required (i.e. a professional law firm or a training centre)
- The actual location of the carpet that requires cleaning (entrance as opposed to second floor)
In addition to regular carpet care, seasonal weather patterns can require front entrance matting systems.
Entrances, lobbies and heavy foot traffic areas require the most care.
Darwin Fisher and Interior Care supply custom fit traffic matting which has two purposes:
- Prevent slips and falls on a wet hard floor
- To absorb wet soiling specifically in winter. Each step on a traffic mat removes a high percentage of wet soiling that would otherwise be absorbed into the office carpet tile – another preventative maintenance step to better protect overall investment
See our other news articles outlining how to protect your flooring investment as we profile different applications throughout the remainder of the year.
For a free consultation on your next flooring installation please contact info@darwinfisher.com
For more information regarding Interior Care, please click here.