While mezzanine floors are designed to be strong and long-lasting, their maintenance is vital to this. As with anything, these structures can get damaged and ignoring any issues can have severe consequences. This is why you and those working on or around the mezzanine floor must know the signs of mezzanine floor damage.
Ensuring the structural integrity of your mezzanine floor and its functionality is crucial for the safety of everyone working on or around it. If something goes wrong, you are not only compromising the safety of your employees but looking at some costly repairs.
So, keeping an eye out for structural damage and actioning repairs quickly is beneficial in many ways.
At First Floors, we are mezzanine floor specialists. Our team works with you to design, manufacture, install and maintain bespoke first floors for your building, be it retail, office, warehouse or industrial building.
In this blog, we share how to identify and repair structural damage on your mezzanine floor.
How to Identify Structural Damage in Mezzanine Floors
Of course, there are obvious signs of damage to your mezzanine floors that are unavoidable because of an accident, for example, a forklift hitting a supporting beam. In these cases, everyone will know about it, and it will likely be the gossip of the workplace for a minute.
However, there are other signs of mezzanine floor damage that aren’t always a consequence of an accident.
- Signs you should keep an eye out for include:
- Visible cracks or sagging in beams, columns, or flooring.
- Unusual noises (creaking, groaning, or shifting sounds).
- Loose or unstable railings, stairs, or support structures.
- Rust, corrosion, or decay in metal or wooden components.
- Misalignment of floor panels or support beams.
Any of the above are signals that something needs to be repaired to maintain the structural integrity of the construction. So, you should make a note of it and contact a mezzanine floor maintenance team.
Common Causes of Structural Damage in Mezzanine Floors
Now you know the signs of mezzanine floor damage, it is probably helpful for you to also know what the causes are so you can be aware of them.
- Overloading – exceeding the weight limit of the structure.
- Poor installation – issues from low-quality materials or improper construction.
- Wear and tear – long-term use leading to weakening joints and supports.
- Moisture damage – corrosion of metal components or warping of wooden structures.
- Foundation shifts or vibrations – impact from heavy machinery or environmental changes.
If you believe there is an issue being caused by one of the above, you should stop operations and assess the situation. Could you move some machinery off the floor to reduce the weight on the structure? Or is there a way to reduce vibrations around the structure?
Of course, certain causes are out of your control. Wear and tear is bound to happen, which is why knowing the signs of damage is so important.
What Should You Do If You Notice Signs of Mezzanine Floor Damage?
If you notice signs of mezzanine floor damage, it is recommended that you contact a professional mezzanine floor team.
Once contacted, they will visit your site to assess the damage. As they have specialist tools, such as laser levels, moisture meters, and load testing, they will be able to more accurately diagnose issues.
With the issue known, they will talk through your repair options, as well as potential causes, if you are unsure.
Repairs could include:
- Replacing weakened beams or supports.
- Strengthening floor panels with additional bracing.
- Reinforcing connections with welding or bolted joints.
- Treating corrosion or moisture damage with protective coatings.
- Upgrading load-bearing capacity if necessary.
Before any work is completed, you will usually get a report on the damage, and once an action plan has been formed, a quote for the work.
Maintenance teams will try to work as quickly as possible to get the repairs done to limit further damage and consequences.
Preventative Maintenance Tips
As well as looking out for signs of mezzanine floor damage, there are a few maintenance tips you can implement to reduce the risk of damage.
These include:
- Complete regular inspections.
- Monitor the weight on the floor and compare it to the load-bearing capacity.
- Ensure proper ventilation to prevent moisture-related damage.
- Keep on top of routine maintenance of fixings, welds, and joints.
Hire First Floors For Mezzanine Floor Repairs
If you spot any signs of mezzanine floor damage, contact the team at First Floors.
We are the UK’s leaders in the mezzanine floors, with over 30 years of experience. During this time, we have worked with a range of clients across different sectors to provide and maintain bespoke mezzanine floors that meet their unique business needs.
Our team has the most up-to-date technology to diagnose any issues, which we will then use to formulate an action plan that will be efficient and reliable.
While working on repairs, we can also discuss preventative measures, giving you a comprehensive solution so you can rest easy in the future.
Call us today on 01789 764172 or complete our online contact form, and we will give you a callback.