Do's
- Sweep the floor daily with a properly treated dust mop to keep it free from dust, grit, and other abrasive particles.
- Keep water off the floor surface, especially during inclement weather and at exterior doorways.
- Immediately remove any spills or moisture on the floor.
- Remove marks with an approved floor cleaner compatible with the floor's finish, and use a non-abrasive soft cloth or a dust mop to clean. Contact us for approved cleaning products.
- Always protect the floor per your manufacturer’s specifications.
- Before any rolling loads (bleachers, stages, lifts, etc.) are on the floor, check with Sports Floors for performance and safety issues. A minimum of ¾” CDX plywood must be laid on the floor first, as unprotected boards can crack.
- The heating/ventilating/air conditioning systems must be functioning properly and set to maintain indoor relative humidity of 35-50%.
- Usage of tape of any kind is not permitted. A light-colored tempera paint may be applied and washed off within a reasonable amount of time with water.
Don'ts
- Never shut down the ventilation system in your facility for a prolonged period of time.
- Never clean your wood floor using scrubbing machinery or power scrubbers that use water. Water is your floor’s worst enemy!
- Never attempt to modify or repair your wood sports floor without first consulting us or your flooring contractor.
- Never use household cleaning products or procedures on your floor. They can be harmful to the floor finish and to the wood and may leave floors sticky or slippery potentially making the floor harmful for athletes. We can recommend the proper cleaning and maintenance materials for your wood sports floor, so do not hesitate to contact us.
- Never use tape on a wood gym floor.
Wood is naturally porous and can absorb and release moisture. If the humidity in your facility rises, your wood floor will absorb that moisture, causing it to expand. If the humidity falls, your wood floor will release moisture, causing it to shrink. Many installations include expansion voids around the perimeter and around the columns or floor inserts, plus expansion joints built into the floor surface. These features permit natural, normal expansion and contraction without damage to the floor. Too much moisture causes abnormal expansion, which can lead to cupping or buckling of your floor. In abnormally dry conditions the wood will contract, leaving separations between flooring strips.