Why You Need Acid and Chemical-Resistant Flooring

2 workers screeding a floor

If you have a business where your floors or walls come into contact with corrosive elements, you need a tough covering that protects these areas.

Chemicals, acids and other caustic elements can cause significant physical damage to unprotected surfaces such as concrete, but corrosion can have other serious implications too.

Occupational health and safety is a key consideration for any commercial venture and in an environment where corrosive elements are involved, steps need to be taken to mitigate the risk to the safety of personnel.

A damaged surface can become slippery and uneven and therefore dangerous to walk on, plus it can become unstable.  An acid and chemical resistant floor is the best defence against damage and is the optimum option in terms of personnel safety.

But while these are two important benefits of acid and chemical-resistant floors, there are plenty of other advantages too.

Chemical attack from spills and leakages from acids, alkalis, solvents and even water can result in rapid deterioration of a floor and the monetary cost as well as the cost of downtime for repairs or replacement can be significant.

A floor that can withstand sustained punishment from corrosive elements will save a business time and money, plus there are environmental and aesthetic benefits too.

Benefits of acid and chemical-resistant floors

Cost savings.  Investing in a high-quality floor that can withstand chemical and acid attack will save money over the long-term.  The functional life of the floor will be extended and maintenance and replacement costs will be minimised.

Strong aesthetics.  Even in situations where chemicals and acid spills don’t physically damage a floor, they can result in unsightly stains and blemishes.  A durable protective coating that is stain and spill-resistant will ensure the floor retains its good looks for longer, making for a more pleasant working environment and a positive corporate image.

Meet environmental requirements.  A high-performance floor coating which ensures chemical and acid-resistance will meet stringent standards required for places like tanks and containment areas.

Are all acid and chemical-resistant floor coatings the same?

No.  The type of floor protection will be determined by the type of chemical or acid that it comes into contact with, as well as the frequency of contact, any containers used for storing the corrosive elements and how often these are moved around.

What industries benefit from acid and chemical resistant flooring?

There are many instances where an acid and chemical-resistant floor is mandatory in terms of OH&S legislation, but there are also plenty of other situations where a highly durable coating is advantageous.  For example, if an environment requires regular washing down with harsh chemicals such as in a hospital, then a floor with a tough protective surface would be an asset.

Here are some of the commercial and industrial applications where you’ll find acid and chemical-resistant floors:

  • Pharmaceutical plants
  • Biotechnology facilities
  • Food processing facilities
  • Chemical processing environments
  • Medical and healthcare premises
  • General manufacturing operations
  • Boiler rooms and cold rooms
  • Commercial kitchens
  • Laboratories
  • Water treatment plants
  • Wineries, breweries and distilleries

If your business is looking for long-lasting, cost-effective and quality results in terms of a protective floor coating, we welcome you to talk to our friendly team at Panther Protective Coatings.  We have been a leader in complete floor protection and safety systems for decades and you can count on our expertise, experience and high standards of workmanship and service for comprehensive end-to-end surface protection for your operation.