Floor pads that are used on commercial floor cleaning machines have a limited life expectancy.
When floor pads aren’t changed when necessary, it can lead to damage on your hard floors and equipment as well as reduced worker productivity.
Damaged floors and equipment not only lead to costly reworks but unnecessary repairs and machine downtime.
Keeping the floor pads on your facility’s industrial floor cleaning machines in good condition is necessary to help your cleaning team maintain the shine and appearance of your floor finish.
In this article, we’ll review the 4 signs you should look for in deciding when to change your floor pads.
How Long Do Floor Pads Last?
Floor pads have a limited life span. Floor pads can become worn or damaged from regular cleaning and maintenance procedures.
There are a few tell-tale signs to look for in order to tell whether your floor pads have been worn out and should be changed.
4 Signs That It’s Time to Change Your Floor Pads
Thin Floor Pads
Damaged Floor Pads
Excessive Machine Shaking or Wobbling
Reduced Cleaning Efficiency
1. Thin Floor Pads
Worn floor pads are common and occur from regular floor cleaning.
You can tell if a pad is worn because you can see the pad driver through the pad. This happens as a result of friction during regular use.
A pad that has reached about half of its original thickness should be changed. In general, pads should be at least 1 inch thick.
If you notice that your floor pad is worn thin it’s time to change the pad in order to avoid any damage to your equipment or the floors.
2. Damaged Floor Pads
Floor pads can become torn or break apart if they’re being used incorrectly or on the wrong machine.
Not all floor cleaning machines are compatible with all floor pads. Using a floor pad meant for a floor buffer or an auto scrubber on a floor burnisher will cause the pad to break apart.
The floor pad should match the floor cleaning machine it’s being used with to avoid damaged or frayed pads.
To avoid damaged floor pads, you should also be sure you’re using the right pad for the right floor type.
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For example, a harder floor type, like unfinished concrete, will need a harder floor pad. Using the wrong pad for the floor type being cleaned can lead to increased damage to the floor pad and the cleaning equipment.
If you notice that your floor pad is damaged or falling apart, you should replace the floor pad with a fresh one.
Cleaning with an already damaged floor pad can create safety hazards for your staff and guests. During use, damaged pads can fly off of the machine and cause harm to the people in your building.
3. Excessive Machine Shaking or Wobbling
Uneven floor pads can cause your floor cleaning machine to be unbalanced. If you’re using a floor buffer or burnisher, this can lead to excessive shaking or wobbling during cleaning.
When the machine is shaking or wobbling, it can increase user fatigue and lead to decreased productivity from your cleaning team. You may also notice that an unbalanced pad can negatively affect the outcomes of your maintenance procedures.
An uneven pad is typically caused by incorrect application, damage, or wear and tear.
If you notice that your floor cleaning machine is wobbling or shaking excessively, you should check the floor pad for uneven application, damage, or signs of wear and tear.
Pads that are applied wrong but still are in good shape should be reinstalled.
Floor pads that have signs of damage should be replaced.
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If you’re noticing that your floor cleaning machine isn’t achieving the same cleaning outcomes as normal or expected, it might be time to change your floor pads.
Reduced cleaning efficiency may be caused by improper cleaning or a worn/damaged floor pad.
A floor pad that isn’t cleaning your floors correctly will lead to longer cleaning times and reduced worker productivity. This means that your cleaning staff will need to spend additional time to achieve the same level of cleanliness.
Floor pads that aren’t cleaning your floors should be replaced.
Why Should I Change My Floor Pads?
Floor pads that are not performing properly can affect many aspects of your floor cleaning program.
Changing the floor pads on your commercial floor cleaning machines regularly can help you and your janitorial staff avoid:
Damage To Your Floor
Damage to Floor Cleaning Machine
Decreased Worker Productivity
Damage to Your Floors
If the floor pad on your commercial floor cleaning machine has extensive wear or damage, the pad retainer can drag on the floor and leave scratches behind.
These scratches will likely require your cleaning team to repeat the maintenance procedure being performed or perform a more intensive procedure, like a scrub and recoat or strip and wax.
Damage to Floor Cleaning Machine
Cleaning your floors with a worn or damaged pad on your floor cleaning machine can lead to a damaged pad driver.
A thin pad may cause the pad driver of your cleaning machine to come into contact with the floor, which could damage the equipment.
Decreased Worker Productivity
Using worn or damaged floor pads to clean your floors can lead to reduced cleaning efficiency.
Floor pads that aren’t changed in a timely manner will lead to lower worker productivity because your janitorial staff will need to take extra time to complete cleaning and maintenance procedures.
Making sure that the floor pads on your commercial floor cleaning equipment aren’t worn or damaged will allow your staff to complete maintenance procedures quickly and efficiently.
Your janitorial staff attempting to clean your floors with a worn or damaged pad on your equipment will cause your machine to shake or vibrate excessively. Achieving the same cleaning outcome could require extra time and work from your equipment and cleaning staff.
How To Change a Floor Pad on a Commercial Floor Cleaning Machine
As we’ve discussed, you should change your floor pads when you notice that your pads are damaged, worn, or are uneven.
For a step by step walkthrough of how to remove and install floor pads from your commercial floor buffer or burnisher, read our full article:
Not sure you’re using the right floor pad? Download our FREE poster:
Final Thoughts
Maintaining the parts of your commercial floor cleaning equipment is an important part of keeping your equipment functioning properly and achieving cleaning goals.
Your floor pads should be inspected regularly and changed when you notice signs of damage or wear and tear. Pads that have been installed unevenly should also be changed in order to ensure the best possible cleaning outcomes.
Imperial Dade locations have a wide range of floor cleaning equipment and accessories, like floor pads, to help you maintain your floor’s appearance.
If you’re located in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean or Canada, contact a specialist today for more information on how to best maintain your commercial floor care equipment.
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