Convenience Store Surfacing Solutions
Holiday travel season is just around the corner so we’re focusing one of the most critical industries in the United States – convenience stores. In fact, C-stores account for 35% of brick-and-mortar retail stores in the U.S. From fuel fill-ups to snack stops to bathroom breaks, convenience stores service an average of 160 million customers every day.*
Top 3 Surfacing Issues for C-Stores
1. Concrete Trip Hazards
Avoiding trip hazards are #1 on the list. C-stores have a variety of flooring, sidewalks, ramps, curbs, steps, and other walking surfaces for customers and employees. With nearly constant foot traffic, it’s critical to keep these areas clean, clear of debris, and in good condition.
Inspect exterior walkways frequently. These areas will often crack and deteriorate faster due to the elements and frequent traffic. Be on the lookout for any vertical change greater than ¼” – that’s the threshold (no pun intended) to be considered a trip hazard by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
Curbing should be easily identifiable with a high-visibility safety color like red or yellow. The same goes for steps/stairs and ensuring good tread on the step surfaces.
Cracks in concrete sidewalks and other areas is normal but when cracks become a trip hazard or become unsightly, it’s time to repair these or in some cases, resurface the area. Concrete resurfacing is a great solution when you need to blend repairs across the surface or when you have widespread pitting or spalling.
2. Unsightly or Unsafe Fuel Islands
The island or concrete base of fuel pumps is a common safety concern for gas stations and C-stores. Most existing fuel islands are a combination of concrete and a stainless-steel metal band. As the island ages, it experiences vehicle strikes and gasoline spills, the concrete becomes damaged and can crack, stain, and more. The metal band will rust and can pull away from the concrete base, creating a dangerous situation for customers.
Replacing fuel islands is costly and extremely disruptive – often shutting d own stations for days or even weeks. However, a new solution from Simon Surfaces is trending – fuel island restorations. These restorations remove the existing island, pour in a new base with epoxy-mortar (not concrete), and do NOT require removal of the pump. Better yet, because epoxy-mortar is so much stronger than concrete, there’s no need for a metal band. And it’s a solid color throughout the material so no more chipping or re-painting.
3. High-Maintenance Floors
With so much to manage in a convenience store, who has time for floor maintenance? Interior floors see heavy amounts of foot traffic – from candy aisles to restrooms and everywhere in between. Selecting a low-maintenance floor for these areas can save big when it comes to staff hours, slip and trip hazards, and more.
Popular choices for C-store floors include:
- Polished concrete. By polishing the existing concrete floor, C-stores save time and budget dollars. Polished concrete floors repeal water, oil, and other spills. They are resistant to stains, scratches, and slips.
- Floor coatings. Instead of tearing out existing floors, convenience store operators are opting for custom coatings that are applied directly over the existing floor. This saves downtime and disruption (not to mention cost). These coating systems can be customized for individual needs like slip-resistance, color, durability, and more.
- Specialty flooring for food preparation and storage. For C-stores with food and beverage coolers, kitchens, fryers, etc., specialty coatings are available for added protection against spills, condensation, and temperature changes. These systems are specifically designed for the unique challenges of food prep floors, including high-temperature cleanings.
