Preparing for Winter’s Wrath

We all know that winter can take a toll on our health and our spirits, and it can also wreak havoc on our homes, our cars, and our places of business.

One of the most frequently asked questions posed to us at CRI is how we can best protect carpet when the weather turns wet, slick, and messy.

Specifically, business owners and retailers are concerned about this issue, as most of them have very heavy traffic flow through their public entryways.

The most important thing to consider when you’re choosing your flooring is to realize that while aesthetics are definitely important, you should be very concerned about the outside environment and what impact heavy foot traffic may have on your interior flooring.

There are a number of “protective entry area systems” that exist as the first line of defense against outdoor elements being tracked indoors.

Even employing something as simple as an entry mat can do wonders to protect the carpet in your home or facility. A good tip is to remember to clean the walk-off mats regularly through the season.

Choosing the right mat system is not all that difficult, but an important consideration with mat systems, especially those that are loose laid, is the ability for them to stay in place and lie flat. While you want to protect the flooring, you don’t want to jeopardize the safety of those coming in and out of a building and risk the chance of facilitating a “trip-and-fall” accident.

Despite the winter weather headed our way, the good news is that you can defend your carpet with entry mats and regular maintenance to keep it looking great.