Everlast® Epoxy vs Neverlast Flooring Episode 3 :
Antimicrobial Flooring – Battle the Growth of Dangerous Bacteria
Do you support the growth of e coli, salmonella, and black mold in your business’ kitchen? Of course not. At least not willingly. Although many flooring manufacturers, such tile, rubber and also many resinous flooring companies, claim that their floors are resistant to bacterial growth, often they are not true antimicrobial flooring systems.
The problem with many flooring systems is that they come apart at the seams (literally). As an example with rubber sheet flooring systems, the “sheets” are heat-welded to each other. Each piece is heat-welded to the next in order to seal the whole floor together.
But there is a slight (massive, really) problem with sheet rubber safety floors. By its very nature, rubber wants to bend and flex. This constant tug-o-war between the sheets of rubber will eventually cause some of the seams to come loose.
This, in turn creates an open spaces in what once was a seamless rubber floor, where water can make its way inside to start eating away at the adhesive used to hold it down.
The perfect breeding ground for nasty bugs like e coli and salmonella.
But it gets worse!
Another less-than-savory feature about sheet rubber “safety” floors is when people step on the rubber near the seams, bacteria laden water underneath the floor can squirt out like a ketchup packet!
Hot, wet, and nasty!
A similar situation happens with tiles. Although they don’t warp, the thin set used to secure the tile to the floor can crack, creating space for water to fill up.
The grout line is also vulnerable. Even when an experienced tile setter installs tile the right way, the grout material can deteriorate.
Constant water washing will chip away at the grout and eventually wash it away completely.
Enter E Coli!
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So What Are Other Options?
I’m glad you asked!
Again, the biggest weakness of any flooring system (or clothing for that matter) is at the seams.
If the seams break, the whole system will fail. It’s just a matter of time.
With our Everlast® Epoxy EPA-registered Integral Antimicrobial Component, we simply don’t have any seams.
No seams… no problem!
But that’s not our only strength in the battle against bacterial growth.
Some floors claim to be “inherently antimicrobial” and do not use any additives. Some compounds are inherently-antimicrobial, such as latex and silver, but epoxies, urethanes, and rubber is not.
Unless an anti-microbial dispersion is incorporated into the resin, the floor is not anti-microbial.
While some floor systems contain an anti-microbial dispersion in the sealer only, leaving the floor vulnerable from underneath or when gauged, we incorporate it throughout the epoxy flooring system.
It’s important to understand this distinction. If you own a busy commercial kitchen, a knife dropped onto the floor might be enough to compromise the antimicrobial ability of the floor system that only has protection in the form of a thin top coat.
Or wear and tear will break the seal.
However, if you use Everlast® Epoxy, it’s not a problem. We add it to the resin, which goes through 100% of the membrane. The whole design behind the system is to create zero weak spots.
Is An Epoxy Antimicrobial Floor The Right Option For My Business?
We here at Everlast® Epoxy firmly believe that we have the right solution for your needs. We can confidently say this because many of our past clients have been commercial kitchens, aquatic recreational facilities, and hospitals.
However, we understand you have many questions before making your decision. Why not give us a call and talk to one of our friendly floor experts today?
Visit Everlast® Epoxy’s Antimicrobial Flooring for more information…
… or call 800-708-9870 now.
Interested in seeing high quality Epoxy flooring up close? Get our FREE sample pack today!