3 Issues to Watch for to Prevent Bacterial Growth in Acid Brick Flooring
A major advantage of having acid brick flooring is its resistance to allowing any sort of bacterial growth to take hold. This resistance made it a favorite of food preparation and processing venues; in fact, acid brick is sometimes called dairy brick because it was used as flooring in dairies. If the brick can't absorb food particles or other organic matter, bacteria can't grow. However, if the brick's surface is breached somehow, bacteria can take hold. Three situations can lead to bacterial growth in acid brick flooring, so be on the lookout for these so you can get the flooring fixed before any problems start.
Impacts
Acid brick flooring is tough, but it can still sustain damage if you drop something heavy on it or scrape something along the bricks' surfaces. The whole structure of each brick is formed through intense heat and compression, so the interior of the brick isn't exactly fragile. Still, if the surface is breached and the brick cracked, for example, bacteria can hide out and grow inside these cracks. Cleaning the surface of the brick floor won't necessarily reach deep enough to get to the bacteria in this crack.
Grout Deterioration
Grout can deteriorate over time, with age, and that can let bacteria get into and grow in the gap left behind. Gaps like these can also trap moisture, which can lead to mildew and mold growth. That can produce smells that make people feel ill, spores that trigger allergies, and discoloration that can make the floor look terrible. If your facility processes food, the problem with the floor could quickly become a health and safety issue, affecting production at your facility.
DIY Repair and Replacement
Acid brick needs to be installed, repaired, and replaced professionally. You might know how to lay bricks or pavers, but because acid bricks have to be grouted and positioned so they remain a tight barrier against anything that might try to get into the bricks, you need someone who works with acid bricks regularly to do the work. If you see or smell anything out of the ordinary on the floor but don't see broken bricks or degraded grout, it could be that someone tried to fix one of the bricks themselves instead of calling for professional service.
Acid bricks are a great choice for flooring because of their hardiness. They look terrific, too. Keep a close eye on your flooring to ensure any breaches are fixed immediately.
