As an organisation, it is highly likely that your office is clean, organised, and well-maintained. After all, it is a representation of your brand; a reflection of your business as a whole.
A little too often, the office washroom can become an overlooked area that falls foul of such high standards. This is not without issue; the appearance of cracked tiles and mouldy grout can actually compromise staff productivity and influence client opinion.
As an area that is visited regularly throughout the working day, it is in your interest to demonstrate a level of care towards all that utilise it.
Aside from regular cleaning and general upkeep, there are a number of things that you can do to create a positive and lasting impression. Intelligent design is a great starting point, as this will prevent or minimise the risk of damage over time, and save you a decent amount of money.
We have identified four of the most common issues associated with office washrooms, and offered a few friendly pointers.
Physical Appearance:
You have a matter of seconds to create that first impression, so the overall look of your washroom is crucial. A light, neutral colour scheme with ambient lighting will encourage calm and comfort. Ensure that your lighting is sufficient; there is nothing worse than poor lighting, and sadly, dim light makes you more prone to vandalism.
Broken or sub-standard fixtures such as cubicle locks and toilet flushes are the quickest way to deter users, so regular maintenance checks are a must. We recommend sensor operated flushes, taps and soap dispensers. Not only are they more hygienic and a good antidote for pandemic-related anxiety, but they are also less prone to damage caused by heavy usage.
Cracked and stained tiles look unsightly, so opt for hygiene wall cladding which is specifically designed for clean areas. Aside from being more cost effective than tiling, it is also durable, impact resistant, easy to clean and long-lasting. In the long run, you’ll be saving yourself money and a lot of stress.
Mould:
It is of little surprise that mould is a common washroom issue, often due to poor ventilation and overtly humid condition of the area. Installing a good ventilation system is a good place to begin, as this will help minimise the risk of condensation before it occurs. Mould is often caused when water seeps into chipped tiles or grout, so wall cladding is a great alternative. This easy-clean solution also provides longevity, making regular maintenance less problematic.
Sinks are also a major “must watch” area for mould and should have an efficient drainage system to prevent clogging and stagnation. A built-in drain gulley is ideal for ensuring that water can escape with ease.
Rust:
One of the main causes of rust is the use of poor or incorrect cleaning products that can strip away protective water-resistant coatings. This problem can be overcome by ensuring that you are using the appropriate products as per your product guide. Leaks can also be a catalyst, so providing easy and efficient access to leakages saves on time and effort. As with mould, poor ventilation is a common cause, so it is worth considering implementing a natural or mechanical air ventilation system.
Smells:
A bad smelling washroom is possibly one of the most unpleasant situations a person can encounter, and a huge deterrent to its users. You want to ensure that you counter this highly probable issue from the outset. Once again, good ventilation is the key. If you have no windows within the washroom area, consider a mechanical air ventilation system to extract unpleasant stale odours that can linger. Floor drains can help, by ensuring that standing water escapes before stagnation becomes a problem.
It is inevitable that water splashing will occur at some point, it is impossible to avoid with a high footfall. Unfortunately, liquid can soak into unprotected duct panelling, so its worth replacing your current product with a material that is impervious to fluids such as solid grade laminate (SGL).
If any of this resonates with you, then it might be time for a complete washroom overhaul. By choosing to intelligently re-design your commercial washroom, you can keep up with modern standards by promoting a practical, functional and aesthetically pleasing space. A well-presented washroom does more than create a good impression for your organisational brand, it also promotes wellbeing and productivity in the workspace which you can’t put a price on.
Get in touch and speak to one of our experts to find out more about intelligent design and how you can overcome these common washroom problems for good.
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