Not everyone is going to notice the art on your building’s walls. They will notice the floors that stretch out in front of them as they walk and any issues on those floors that affect their mobility. If the floors are covered in dust, dirt and debris, it can give people the wrong impression: that maintaining a safe, hygienic workplace is not a priority.
Facilities supervisors, maintenance crews and equipment managers of all industries need the right tools to keep their floors safe and clean. That’s where commercial floor sweepers and scrubbers come in.
Renting a commercial floor sweeper is a cost-effective way to reduce cleaning times and keep your facility tidy. However, there are a few things you ought to know before renting a floor sweeper to make sure you select the best one.
Renting vs. Buying a Floor Sweeper: What’s the Difference?
Commercial floor sweepers and street sweepers allow you to quickly clean large areas with little effort. And if you work in a hospital or busy construction site, you might be sweeping daily or multiple times per day.
So, at what point should you invest in buying a floor sweeper? Or, does it make more sense to rent?
Some facilities, such as hospitals, have regulations to prevent cross-contamination or the spread of diseases. In this case, you will need to purchase your floor sweepers. Purchasing may also make good financial sense if the machine will be used often and you have the capacity and knowledge on how to handle repairs.
In general, however, a rental floor sweeper is typically the more flexible, cost-effective solution. Depending on the equipment rental provider, you can rent a sweeper for a day, a week or months. This flexibility allows you to pay only for what you need. Plus, renting a sweeper for a short time is a great way to test out a model to make sure it meets your needs before buying it.
Beyond getting access to the latest equipment, partnering with a high-quality rental provider can be valuable in other ways. They can offer expert training and support and will take care of all the transportation, maintenance and repairs.
To make the most of any sweeper machine rental, make sure your equipment provider fully understands your needs. Use the list below as the starting point to help you select the right floor sweeper.
5 Things to Know Before Renting a Floor Sweeper
1. Your Cleaning Goals
When it comes to powered street sweepers or floor sweepers, there are many sizes and types to choose from. Some are best for site preparation work, while others are better for heavy duty cleanup jobs. When you rent a commercial floor sweeper, start by considering your top priorities.
For example, if your main goal is to get the job done fast while keeping operating costs low, a compact walk-behind sweeper may be a better option than a high-capacity ride-on sweeper. Alternatively, if energy conservation is important, then select a sweeper with energy-saving features that reduce fuel consumption.
If you’ll be using the sweeper for multiple projects, consider the needs of each project. This will help you zero in on your overall goals and identify any outliers.
Then, share these goals and priorities with your equipment rental provider. A reliable provider will ask follow-up questions to make sure they understand what you’re looking for. They should also be able to explain why certain models are a better fit than others.
2. Size and Features of the Project Site
Before you choose a sweeper, take a careful look at the project site.
- Is the site indoors or outdoors? Some models, like construction sweeper rentals, can only be used outside. Others are designed for indoor use only or a combination of indoor and outdoor use.
- What is the square footage to be cleaned? If there are fixtures that can’t be moved, the square footage will be less than the total area of the room. Add up the total square feet then subtract the square footage of permanent fixtures.
- What is the narrowest place? Are there many obstacles to navigate? The narrowest space will determine how big the sweeper can be. Similarly, if there are many obstacles, you’ll need a sweeper that’s easy to maneuver.
- How delicate is the flooring? If the surface of the floor is easily damaged, you’ll need a sweeper that’s designed to clean without damaging the surface or subflooring.
3. Type of Debris
Think about your project site and all the different debris that the floor sweeper rentals will need to handle. This will help you select the right type of brush and other features. For example, if you’re sweeping up leaves after heavy rainfall, you’ll need a sweeper designed for wet debris.
If the debris is mostly dust, look for models with a soft brush and a filter shaker function. If the site is full of heavy material, like construction debris, you’ll need a stiffer brush.
4. Other Features to Consider
You’ll narrow down your choices a lot by simply knowing your goals, the site conditions, and the type of debris to be cleaned. However, there are other features to consider.
- Walk-Behind vs. Ride-On Sweeper Rental: Which style will be easiest for staff to operate for the entire duration of cleaning? If the operator has mobility issues, a ride-on sweeper may be your only option, but it may require more training than a walk-behind.
- Filters: Does the sweeper have the right filters to trap dust and keep the air clean? Some sweepers have multi-stage filters and HEPA filter options, which may be required to protect workers and those nearby.
- Bin Capacity: How often will you need to stop and empty the bin from the sweeper? Make sure the bin capacity won’t slow down your cleaning.
- Noise: How loud is the sweeper? Battery powered sweepers create less noise and are better for indoor spaces.
- Accessories: Does the sweeper have accessories like a vacuum wand? Make sure the accessories will help you achieve your cleaning goals.
5. Training and Safety Needs
Like any equipment, all operators must be thoroughly trained on how to use a floor sweeper safely and effectively. Proper training helps prevent accidents, delays and unplanned downtime. It also helps foster a culture of learning and safety where crews feel empowered to take the steps needed to prevent harm.
Training starts by ensuring you understand the policies and regulations impacting your cleaning project. Some facilities may have strict standards to avoid cross-contamination or to keep delicate materials safe. Certain regions may have cleaning industry standards that impact the use of a sweeper and personal protective equipment (PPE).
Then, ask your rental provider what training services they offer. For example, at Herc Rentals we offer Equipment Safe Operator Training and train-the-trainer courses led by expert instructors.
Rent a Commercial Floor Sweeper from Herc Rentals
Sweeper rentals are versatile, picking up a variety of debris from nearly any type of space. Whether you need a street sweeper to clear city walkways and roads, or a compact sweeper for narrow indoor spaces, Herc Rentals can help you gear up.
Our fleet of top-quality sweepers provide faster, more efficient cleaning. When you choose Herc Rentals, you get access to sweepers with a variety of features that optimize productivity, performance and safety.
Our experts will help you find the right sweeper quickly, but the value doesn’t stop there. We’ll help you save valuable time and labor with equipment transportation and on-site maintenance services.
Explore our wide selection of sweepers or give us a call at 888-777-2700 to discuss options with an expert today.
