Expert: Stephen Hayes - 8/27/2010

Question
We have a commercial bakery in our apartment which is adjacent to our home.  It has around 650 square feet, and we need to replace the flooring.  We have to wash it every night as well as wheel out the freezer and fridge to clean.  We also have to wheel heavy shelves and tables (we're putting every thing on wheels).  What would be the sturdiest material we can buy? My husband thinks a commercial grade of tile or lino, but I am afraid of the grout and the water spills.  There will be food and water spills daily.  I'd sure appreciate your answer, as you're the pro. my email is  

Answer
Hi Rise;Thanks for your question.  Your email is always blocked when I receive your question, since All Experts delivers my message to you.  

Since I can't see your current equipment or what type of equipment you plan to purchase, I suggest that you visit the website,
<foodflooring.com.au/commercial-flooring.htm>.  Contact them for further information.

I would also suggest that you visit your local supermarket who may have the same type of equipment as you and needs to roll out appliances for cleaning to see what type of flooring they use and ask how often that flooring needs to be replaced.

You should also visit bakeries in your area to see what type of flooring they are using and how that flooring appears.

Find out what type of inspections will be carried out by your local city to be sure any flooring you put down will have the ease of maintenance required by your city.

The most important thing after you decide of the correct flooring is BEFORE YOU PURCHASE, obtain the name of the exact manufacturer of the flooring you like.  'Google' that manufacturer's name and visit their website.  On their website will be contact information which is usually an 800#.  Call it and speak with their technical services people to ask needed questions, and to obtain their free installation specifications and free maintenance manual.  Obtain both of those publications and read them thoroughly.  They will list lots of important information including acclimation needs before installation, proper installation procedures, acceptable underlayments, proper cleaning agents and techniques, etc.  Do what those manuals instruct exactly to protect your investment.  By knowing how the flooring should be installed, you can watch the installer to be certain your flooring is being installed properly.

It is very dangerous for you to contract on your own for labor, so have labor included in the sales contract so the labor is also the dealer's responsibility.  Should something go wrong, a private installer may not have the resources to correct installation errors, and could simply walk away from any problems leaving you 'holding the bag'.  Also NOTHING should be agreed upon verbally.  EVERYTHING regarding the installation must be in writing including things such as the acclimation and installation must be in accordance with the flooring manufacturer's installation specifications, all warranties for product and labor, etc.

You may want to have your attorney look at any sales and labor contract before you sign it, along with making sure the dealer signs the contract.

I would not suggest any grout to be used, or a laminate type flooring.  Usually commercial ceramic tiles are suitable, as are commercial VCT (vinyl composition tiles), but do your investigation so you can become knowledgeable and protect your investment before you finalize a choice.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to get back to me.

Cordially,

John Michaels