In any busy building, be it a school, hospital, retail space or office, the flooring tells a unique story. Every scuff mark, dent and worn patch records footsteps taken, carts wheeled and furniture shifted. But like any hardworking part of a building, floors deserve the care and attention that can give them a second life.

With tightening budgets and growing sustainability targets, facilities are rethinking how to manage their spaces. Once seen as an afterthought, flooring is now at the forefront of building maintenance. Facility managers are discovering that preventive cleaning and floor renewal strategies can extend the life of flooring while cutting costs and minimising environmental impact.

Cleaning as first line of defence

The journey to a longer floor life starts with daily cleaning. Regular maintenance keeps floors looking sharp, protects finishes and reduces the need for costly interventions.

A solid routine prevents dirt and bacteria from building up on hard surfaces such as vinyl, linoleum, rubber and LVT. Dry mopping with microfibre cloths can capture allergens and debris without relying on excess water. When moisture is required, use pH-neutral cleaning solutions that are gentle on surfaces and safer for indoor air quality.

But method matters. According to De Vere Solutions director Scott De Vere, one of the biggest mistakes in daily maintenance is the way chemicals and water are misused. “The most common concern is overuse of chemicals or not refreshing the mopping solution, resulting in dirty chemically loaded water mopped over a hard floor,” he says. “It’s only the H₂O that evaporates, leaving a sticky dirty film on the hard floors.”

Prevention begins at the door. Walk-off mats play a key role in reducing the amount of soiling that enters a space. They intercept dirt before it gets tracked through the building, reducing the burden on cleaning teams and preserving surface integrity.

Refinishing – a floor’s second life

Flooring that looks past its prime doesn’t always need to be replaced. With the right products and techniques, many floors can be brought back to life.

Hardwood floors can be sanded, stained and sealed to repair damage and revive a space. The same principle now applies to resilient flooring like vinyl, where modern renewal systems offer high-performance solutions that restore appearance without the waste and cost of a full rip-out.

De Vere advises that refinishing should be timed carefully. “Applying the sacrificial topical seal on a vinyl floor should be carried out before the finish shows significant signs of wear,” he explains. “This ensures the vinyl is always protected. Relying on the factory coating alone can result in premature wear.”

However, he notes that refinishing choices must reflect the floor’s functional role. “We need to consider if sealing or refinishing the floor will affect its performance in relation to specific slip or anti-static ratings,” he says.

In cases where damage runs deep, such as heavy pitting or abrasion, replacement may be the only option. But in many cases, timely intervention extends lifespan while preserving safety and design intent.

The missing link in floor care

Behind every well-maintained floor is a team that knows what it’s doing. Correct training helps maintenance staff recognise the properties of different floor types, and how to apply products without compromising performance.

“Training is critical in ensuring the specific properties of the floor and the sealers are maintained,” says De Vere. “Incorrect use of products or equipment can lead to rapid breakdown of finishes or chemical residue build-up, which causes rapid soiling and slippery conditions when wet.”

From cleaning methods to refinishing protocols, a well-informed workforce can significantly reduce errors and protect a facility’s flooring investment.

A second chance beneath your feet

With millions of square metres of flooring discarded every year, floor renewal presents a smarter and more sustainable path. New technologies, better training and smarter daily maintenance routines are making it easier for facilities to protect what’s already in place.

Whether you manage vinyl, linoleum or timber, a thoughtful plan that includes cleaning, refinishing and training will keep your floors performing better, for longer.

A longer version of this article first appeared in CMM.