RUBBER FLOOR CARE

By following the guidelines listed in this document, you will be assured years of trouble-free use while lengthening the life of your Rubber Athletic Surface.

RUBBER FACTS

  • Your floor is composed of rubber which is a renewable natural product which is environmentally friendly.
  • Rubber matures with age as any natural product.
  • Particularly, during the first 6 months to 1 year, your floor will be maturing as it is used, maintained, and exposed to the elements.
  • It is not unusual during this time for the surface to appear to attract dirt, making normal maintenance slightly more demanding.
  • After this initial maturing, or break in period, the surface will be noticeably easier to maintain.
  • This is true for all rubber surfaces.

GENERAL:

  • Maintain a consistent cleaning schedule: DO NOT allow dirt and grime to build up on your floor. Postponing or ignoring regular maintenance will not only make cleaning much more difficult, it may also affect the life of the floor and void your warranty.
  • Place walk-off mats at door entrances to reduce dirt and grit from foot traffic. To be effective, mats must be vacuumed often and cleaned regularly.
    NOTE: Mats with black rubber backing may discolor and permanently damage the floor.
  • Check the legs of all tables and chairs before use to ensure the protective end caps are not missing or damaged.
  • Whenever possible, limit street shoes as they will carry in dirt, may scuff floor, and will increase maintenance time.
  • Do not use caustic base cleaners such as those that are designed for toilets and hard tile.
  • When using a battery powered automatic scrubber, maintain and periodically check the battery pack as acid will permanently stain a rubber floor.
  • Periodically check bleacher operation when extending and retracting to avoid damage from malfunctions such as incorrect tracking or missing wheels.
  • Do not use solvents, such as toluene, xylene, MEK or gasoline for spot removal.
  • If cars or vehicles with pneumatic tires (especially new tires) are to be stored on floor for an extended period of time place protective pads under wheels to avoid staining.
  • Do not drag volleyball poles, loaded tables or any sharp metal objects across floor.
  • It is not recommend, nor advise, using temporary game line tape over rubber sports surfaces.
  • Limit or restrict food and beverages as they will drastically increase maintenance time and some types of drinks, if allowed to stand, may stain rubber.
  • Do not allow water to stand around exercise equipment as rust will stain rubber.
  • DO NOT SCRUB FLOOR FOR 72 HOURS AFTER INSTALLATION

DAILY MAINTENANCE

Equipment and Supplies:

  • Automatic scrubber, maximum 300 RPM equipped only with soft nylon bristle brushes.
  • High quality backpack vacuum.
  • Use a neutral cleaner.

Cleaning Regimen:

  • Remove all surface soil, debris, sand and grit by sweeping, dust mopping or vacuuming with a high CFM vacuum. For large areas, use auto scrubbers to clean floors.
  • Scrub floor with a neutral low cleaner using buffer or auto scrubber with a soft nylon brush or an approved pad. Avoid flooding the floor.
  • Pick up solution with a wet vacuum. Rinse with clean water, picking up the rinse water with a wet vacuum and allow area to dry thoroughly (6-8 hours).

WEEKLY MAINTENANCE

Equipment and Supplies:

  • Automatic scrubber, maximum 300 RPM equipped only with soft nylon bristle brushes.
  • High quality backpack vacuum.
  • Use a neutral low cleaner.

Cleaning Regimen:

  • Sweep, dust mop or vacuum floor to remove surface soil, debris, sand and grit.
  • For normal cleaning follow the manufacturer’s recommendations.
  • In large facilities clean one section at a time.
  • Damp mop with a microfiber mop or auto- scrub using an approved pad.
  • Mop again with clean water to remove residue.
    NOTE: IF AFTER DRYING, A WHITE FILM OR STREAKS APPEAR, THE FLOOR WAS INSUFFICIENTLY RINSED. If necessary, re-rinse or repeat cleaning process.
  • Allow floor to completely dry before returning to use.

SYNTHETIC (PAD & POUR)

MAINTENANCE & CARE

The following maintenance instructions and recommendations are provided to ensure the outstanding performance of your Synthetic Pad and Pour Flooring system for now and years to come:

  • Maintain a consistent cleaning schedule: DO NOT allow dirt and grime to build up on the floor. Postponing or ignoring regular maintenance will not only make cleaning much more difficult, it may also affect the life of the floor.
  • Place walk-off mats at door entrances to reduce dirt and grit from foot traffic. To be effective, mats must be vacuumed often and cleaned regularly.
  • Check the legs of all tables and chairs before use, to ensure the protective end caps are not missing or damaged.
  • Whenever possible, limit black sole shoes as they may scuff floor and will increase maintenance time.
  • Do not use caustic base cleaners such as those that are designed for toilets and hard tile.
  • When using a battery powered automatic scrubber, maintain and periodically check the battery pack as acid will permanently stain a polyurethane floor.
  • Periodically check bleacher operation when extending and retracting to avoid damage from malfunctions such as incorrect tracking or missing wheels.
  • Do not use solvents, such as toluene, xylene, MEK or gasoline for spot removal unless the chemical cleaner is approved for such use and guidelines are followed.
  • If cars or vehicles with pneumatic tires (especially new tires) are to be stored on floor for an extended period of time place protective pads under wheels to avoid staining.
  • Do not drag volleyball poles, loaded tables or any sharp metal objects across floor.
  • It is not recommend to use temporary game line tape over wood or synthetic sports surfaces. If the owner elects to use this type of tape it should be removed promptly and never be allowed to remain on the floor for any extended period of time.
  • Never allow spiked running shoes, skates, or roller blades on the floor.

DAILY MAINTENANCE

  1. Dust mop floor daily, more if needed, to remove grit and other abrasives. Use dust mop heads that do not require a treatment as treatments often leave a residue.
  2. Wipe or mop spills, while wet, with clean water.
  3. If small area cleaning is desired or necessary, mop floor with a properly diluted liquid, neutral cleaner.

WEEKLY OR MONTHLY (DEPENDING ON USAGE):

  1. Before scrubbing, dust mop floor to remove grit and other abrasives.
  2. For optimum results, use a top quality, neutral cleaner. Always follow the manufacturers’ recommended dilution rate.
  3. Due to the size of gymnasiums in most athletic facilities, it is desirable to clean one section at a time.
  4. Apply properly diluted detergent to floor with mop.
  5. Slowly scrub with a low speed (175 to 350 RPM) floor buffer utilizing a 3m #5300 blue scrubbing pad or equivalent. Do not allow solution to dry on floor after scrubbing, remove immediately with vacuum equipped with squeegee.
  6. Allow floor to dry before resuming activities.

**Alternate Method:

  1. Before scrubbing, dust mop floor to remove grit and other abrasives.
  2. For optimum results, use a top quality, neutral cleaner. Always follow the manufacturers’ recommended dilution rate.
  3. Fill solution tank on automatic scrubber with properly diluted detergent.
  4. Slowly walk the automatic scrubbing machine with attached 3m #5300 blue scrubbing pad or equivalent across floor with vacuum activated.
  5. Allow floor to dry before resuming activities.

Cleaning Tip: To help loosen and dissolve dirt and grime, apply diluted cleaning solution to floor and allow to set for 5 to 10 minutes before scrubbing. Proceed with normal steps described above with low speed buffer or automatic scrub machine

Scuff Removal:

  1. To remove scuffs from black sole shoes, clean spot using a clean towel dampened with citrus base cleaner or butyl base cleaner, rinse with clean water.

Note: DO NOT pour directly on floor or leave dampened rag on floor. Observe manufacturer’s safety information and recommendations while using this product.