Description
WaterGuard Entrance Mats deliver professional-grade protection for entrances. The distinctive raised waffle pattern features hundreds of scraping points that aggressively lift dirt, debris, mud, and moisture from footwear before contaminants reach your interior floors. This mechanical scraping action reduces tracked-in soil by up to 80% when properly sized, dramatically extending the life of your interior flooring and slashing maintenance costs. Built with anti-static polypropylene fibers and reinforced rubber backing, these commercial-grade mats handle heavy traffic in government facilities, office buildings, retail stores, hospitals, schools, and industrial environments.
The signature water-dam border sets WaterGuard apart from ordinary entrance mats. This raised perimeter creates a containment zone holding up to 1.5 gallons of water per square yard, trapping rain, snow, sleet, and spills within the mat structure rather than spreading across your floors. The polypropylene fibers actively wick moisture away from the surface while resisting fading, rotting, and UV degradation, ensuring professional appearance year after year. The 100% rubber backing features hundreds of reinforcing nubs that prevent carpet crushing in high-traffic areas, maintaining peak scraping performance throughout the mat’s 3-5 year lifespan.
Universal Floor Mats offers complete customization to match your specific needs. Choose between heavy-duty rubber borders for maximum durability or matching fabric borders for refined elegance, both providing the same water retention at no extra charge. Select smooth backing for hard surfaces like tile, marble, or concrete, or gripper backing that anchors securely to carpeted floors. Available in 12 professional colors and sizes from 2’x3′ to 6’x20′, with custom configurations up to 60 feet for large commercial entrances. Every mat contains 20% recycled content, helping your facility meet sustainability goals while delivering superior performance indoors or outdoors through every season.
Ideal Applications
- Government buildings and federal facilities
- Healthcare facilities, hospitals, and medical offices
- Educational institutions, schools, and universities
- Corporate office buildings and business centers
- Retail stores and shopping centers
- Multi-family housing, apartments, and condominiums
- Industrial facilities and warehouses
- Hotels, restaurants, and hospitality venues
- Banks and financial institutions
- Religious facilities and community centers
Features & Benefits
| Feature |
Benefit |
| Hundreds of raised squares create aggressive scraping action | Captures dirt beneath shoe level, preventing tracking into your facility and reducing interior floor cleaning by up to 80% |
| Raised perimeter border holds up to 1.5 gallons per square yard | Prevents water overflow onto adjacent flooring, dramatically reducing slip-and-fall hazards and potential liability claims |
| Solution-dyed, UV-stable polypropylene construction | Quick-drying surface minimizes slip hazards; color won't fade even in outdoor sun exposure; resists rot and mildew for 3-5 year lifespan |
| 100% rubber with reinforcing nubs; available in smooth or cleated backing | Prevents carpet crushing in high-traffic areas; anchors securely to your floor type without shifting or movement |
| 20% recycled content from post-consumer materials | Helps your facility meet LEED and sustainability goals while reducing environmental impact; long lifespan further reduces replacement waste |
Maintenance Tips
Daily Maintenance
Vacuuming Protocol Use a commercial vacuum with strong suction daily in high-traffic entrances. For best results, employ a wide-head vacuum attachment that can reach between the raised waffle squares. Vacuum in multiple directions to capture trapped dirt and debris from all angles.
During wet weather, switch to a wet/dry vacuum to remove moisture without damaging standard vacuum equipment. In extremely high-traffic locations, vacuum 2-3 times daily to prevent soil saturation.
Quick Spot Cleaning Address spills and stains immediately to prevent setting. Blot liquids with absorbent cloths rather than rubbing, which can spread the stain. For sticky substances like gum, apply ice to harden before carefully scraping away.
Weekly Deep Cleaning
Shake-Out Procedure Remove the mat from its location (roll with edges facing inward to contain debris). Take it at least 25 feet from the entrance to prevent re-contamination. Vigorously shake to dislodge trapped dirt.
While the mat is removed, thoroughly vacuum and clean the floor beneath to prevent dirt accumulation that could cause mat shifting.
Extraction Cleaning For embedded soil, use a carpet extraction machine with counter-rotating brushes. Apply a mild, pH-neutral carpet cleaning solution. Multiple passes may be necessary in heavily soiled areas. Ensure thorough rinsing to prevent residue buildup.
Monthly Maintenance
Comprehensive Deep Clean Hose off the mat outdoors with a pressure washer (maintaining 30cm/12-inch distance minimum to avoid fiber damage). Start with the mat face-down to flush dirt from the backing. Flip and clean the carpet surface, working from edges to center.
Alternatively, transport the mat to a commercial car wash and use the pressure wand for thorough cleaning.
Drying Protocol Stand mats on end to air dry, or use a wet/dry vacuum to extract moisture. Deploy air movers to accelerate drying in humid conditions. Never return a wet mat to service, moisture attracts dirt and creates conditions for mold growth.
Seasonal Considerations
Winter Care De-icing salts can leave white residue on dark mats. Apply neutral cleaner with a cloth and buff dry. Increase cleaning frequency during snow/salt season to prevent chemical buildup.
Summer Preparation After winter, conduct a thorough deep cleaning to remove salt and chemical residue. Inspect for any wear or damage that occurred during harsh weather.
Cleaning Products
Recommended:
- Mild, pH-neutral carpet cleaners
- Standard household carpet cleaning solutions
- Warm water with mild dish soap
Avoid:
- Chlorinated hydrocarbons
- Bleach or oxidizing agents
- Harsh alkaline or acidic cleaners
- Solvent-based products
Inspection Schedule
Conduct monthly visual inspections checking for,
- Border integrity and water-dam performance
- Backing separation or delamination
- Excessive wear patterns indicating need for rotation
- Color fading or fiber degradation
- Mat shifting or movement during use
Rotate mats 180 degrees quarterly to equalize wear patterns and extend lifespan.
FAQs
The general rule is to select mats that allow for 3-4 steps inside the entrance. For maximum effectiveness, entrance matting should extend 12-15 feet into your facility. At minimum, use mats that provide 6-8 feet of coverage. For high-traffic commercial entrances, consider 15-20 feet of matting. Universal Floor Mats offers free consultation for sizing recommendations based on your specific traffic patterns and entrance configuration.
Smooth backing is designed for hard surfaces like tile, marble, concrete, vinyl, and LVT. The smooth rubber maximizes surface contact and friction. Cleated (gripper) backing features hundreds of small rubber nubs that grip into carpet fibers, preventing the mat from shifting on carpeted floors. Always match the backing to your floor type for optimal performance
Both borders provide the same water-dam functionality. Choose heavy-duty rubber borders for maximum durability in challenging environments, outdoor applications, or areas with cart/equipment traffic. Select matching fabric borders for refined, upscale commercial settings where aesthetic appearance is prioritized. Both options are included at no additional charge.
No special installation required for most applications. Simply place the mat in your entrance area. For recessed installations, custom sizing and installation planning may be necessary. Contact Universal Floor Mats for recessed mat consultation.
Yes! These mats are specifically engineered for indoor/outdoor use in all weather conditions. The polypropylene fibers resist UV degradation, and the materials withstand temperature extremes from -40°F to 160°F. However, for maximum longevity in harsh outdoor conditions, we recommend covered entrances when possible.
Yes, WaterGuard Classic Mats can be used in recessed installations. Custom sizing is available to ensure proper fit in your mat well. Mats should be ordered slightly oversized (add 6-12 inches) to accommodate irregularities in recessed wells.
Vacuum daily in high-traffic areas. Weekly deep cleaning with extraction methods maintains optimal performance. Monthly comprehensive cleaning with pressure washer or professional service extends mat life. Adjust frequency based on traffic levels and weather conditions.
Yes! Pressure washing is an effective deep-cleaning method. Maintain a minimum distance of 12 inches (30cm) from the mat surface to avoid fiber damage. Work from edges to center, and ensure complete drying before returning to service.
Use mild, pH-neutral carpet cleaning solutions. Standard household carpet cleaners work well. Avoid chlorinated hydrocarbons, bleach, harsh alkaline or acidic cleaners, and solvent-based products. When in doubt, test any new cleaning product on an inconspicuous area first.
De-icing salts may leave white residue, especially on darker colored mats. Apply a neutral cleaner to a cloth, treat the affected areas, and buff dry with a clean cloth. Regular cleaning during salt season prevents buildup.
In high-traffic commercial applications, expect 3-5 years of service life. Lifespan varies based on traffic volume, weather exposure, and maintenance quality. Some facilities report 7+ years in moderate-traffic applications with excellent maintenance.
WaterGuard Classic Mats use solution-dyed polypropylene fibers where color is locked into the material itself, not surface-applied. This provides exceptional fade resistance even in outdoor applications with direct UV exposure.
The water-dam border is designed to hold up to 1.5 gallons per square yard. In extreme conditions beyond this capacity, remove the mat, wring out excess water, and allow to dry. Consider sizing up or adding secondary mats for exceptionally wet conditions.
Yes! Volume discounts are available. Pricing tiers shown on product page. For large projects or fleet orders, contact Universal Floor Mats for custom quotation and project pricing.
Standard-size mats can be returned within our return policy timeframe (see Terms & Conditions for details). Custom-sized mats are non-returnable. We recommend careful measurement or consultation with our team before ordering custom sizes.
Some Standard sizes ship within 3-4 business days. Expedited shipping available. Custom sizes require 5-10 business days processing before shipment.
Absolutely! Custom widths up to 6 feet and custom lengths up to 60 feet are available. Contact Universal Floor Mats with your specifications for quotation and production timeline.
Yes! Universal Floor Mats offers WaterHog Inlay Logo Mats and other logo mat products that incorporate the same high-performance features with custom logo capabilities. Browse our Logo Floor Mats category for options.
Yes. The water-dam design prevents water overflow, and the polypropylene fibers wick moisture from the surface. The rubber backing provides stability. When properly maintained, WaterGuard Classic Mats significantly reduce slip hazards at entrances.
WaterGuard Classic Mats contain 20% recycled content and are manufactured using environmentally responsible processes. The long lifespan reduces replacement waste. Components are recyclable at end of service life.
When properly installed, WaterGuard Classic Mats can meet ADA accessibility standards. For installations requiring beveled edges or specific compliance features, contact our team for guidance on configuration and installation.
Shipping & Customization
Custom Sizing: Available in custom widths up to 6 feet and custom lengths up to 60 feet. Contact Universal Floor Mats for custom size quotes and minimum order requirements
SHIPPING INFORMATION
Shipping Methods
Standard Ground Shipping Most WaterGuard Classic Entrance Mats ship via UPS or FedEx Ground service. Larger custom sizes may ship via LTL freight carriers.
Expedited Options Available
- 2-Day Air
- Next Day Air
- Freight expedited services for large orders
Packaging
Mats arrive rolled and secured with protective wrapping. Custom sizes ship in reinforced packaging to prevent damage during transit. Some oversized configurations ship on pallets.
Processing Time
- Standard Lead time is 5-7 business days
- Custom border configurations: 7-10 business days
- Large/complex orders: Contact for timeline
Delivery Timeline
- East Coast: 3-5 business days
- Midwest: 4-6 business days
- West Coast: 5-7 business days
- Standard Ground: 2-6 business days from ship date
- Expedited: 1-2 business days from ship date
Shipping Costs
Shipping costs calculated at checkout based on:
- Destination zip code
- Package weight and dimensions
- Selected shipping method
Free Shipping Promotion: Universal Floor Mats frequently offers free shipping promotions. Check website for current offers or contact customer service.
Delivery Considerations
Loading Dock vs. Residential: Large orders shipping via freight require loading dock or forklift access. Residential freight delivery with liftgate service available for additional fee.
Inspection Upon Delivery Inspect all shipments before signing delivery receipt. Note any visible damage on the freight bill or carrier documentation. Contact Universal Floor Mats immediately if damage is discovered.
International Shipping
WaterGuard Classic Entrance Mats can ship to Canada, Mexico, and other international destinations. Contact customer service for international shipping quotes, customs documentation, and delivery timelines.
Order Tracking
Tracking numbers provided via email once order ships. Track shipments through carrier websites or Universal Floor Mats customer portal.
Reviews
There are no reviews yet.