Sport and Commercial flooring
Technical Department
Sportflex (Sportflex and Sportflex M)
Maintenance Guidelines (INDOOR)
GENERAL
Mondo would like to thank you for purchasing our Sportflex product. As with any purchase of this nature, we understand that this was an important investment for your facility, one that you will need to properly protect. Mondo surfaces are engineered and manufactured with the highest quality raw materials to ensure a long and useful life; a proper maintenance regimen will allow you to fully benefit from this.
NOTE: The following maintenance guidelines have been formulated to provide you with standard instructions for indoor maintenance of your new Sportflex surface. A separate set of instructions should be obtained if product is installed outdoors.
Your maintenance regimen can be personalized and will depend on traffic, the size of your room/area and the resources and equipment you have dedicated to cleaning this surface. We realize that those factors are going to fluctuate from time to time and from facility to facility and hence these guidelines are provided as an initial step towards the development of your cleaning regimen and program.
RUBBER FACTS
Rubber is a natural product that is derived from the latex of the Hevea brasiliensis tree commonly known as the Para rubber tree, making it a sustainable resource and environmentally friendly product. During the manufacturing process the rubber is mixed with other natural and synthetic elements. The mix is then put through additional machinery and it is “vulcanized”; a process of heat and pressure that gives it its strength and durability. One of the characteristics of rubber is that it will slowly oxidize and break in over time. This is a completely natural phenomenon which we call “maturing”. This creates a surface which is easier to keep clean. However during the early stages of this break-in period (six months to a year) the surface will attract soil more easily than it would once it has matured. Therefore, maintenance will be more difficult initially but will significantly improve over time. This is typically the exact opposite of most flooring which is harder to clean as it ages.
NOTE: As the owner of this new sport surface, you may choose to follow your own in-house recommendations that may not be listed within our guidelines. Should this be the case, it is extremely important that you perform tests on stock samples or small secluded areas of the Sportflex surface to ensure that it will not be damaged in any way.
Mondo would like to thank you for purchasing our Sportflex product. As with any purchase of this nature, we understand that this was an important investment for your facility, one that you will need to properly protect. Mondo surfaces are engineered and manufactured with the highest quality raw materials to ensure a long and useful life; a proper maintenance regimen will allow you to fully benefit from this.
NOTE: The following maintenance guidelines have been formulated to provide you with standard instructions for indoor maintenance of your new Sportflex surface. A separate set of instructions should be obtained if product is installed outdoors.
Your maintenance regimen can be personalized and will depend on traffic, the size of your room/area and the resources and equipment you have dedicated to cleaning this surface. We realize that those factors are going to fluctuate from time to time and from facility to facility and hence these guidelines are provided as an initial step towards the development of your cleaning regimen and program.
RUBBER FACTS
Rubber is a natural product that is derived from the latex of the Hevea brasiliensis tree commonly known as the Para rubber tree, making it a sustainable resource and environmentally friendly product. During the manufacturing process the rubber is mixed with other natural and synthetic elements. The mix is then put through additional machinery and it is “vulcanized”; a process of heat and pressure that gives it its strength and durability. One of the characteristics of rubber is that it will slowly oxidize and break in over time. This is a completely natural phenomenon which we call “maturing”. This creates a surface which is easier to keep clean. However during the early stages of this break-in period (six months to a year) the surface will attract soil more easily than it would once it has matured. Therefore, maintenance will be more difficult initially but will significantly improve over time. This is typically the exact opposite of most flooring which is harder to clean as it ages.
NOTE: As the owner of this new sport surface, you may choose to follow your own in-house recommendations that may not be listed within our guidelines. Should this be the case, it is extremely important that you perform tests on stock samples or small secluded areas of the Sportflex surface to ensure that it will not be damaged in any way.
CARING FOR YOUR SPORTFLEX SURFACEBased on your needs and the use of the surface, basic regular or periodical
maintenance on your part will be necessary to care for your new Mondo surface.1. DEBRIS REMOVAL
It is recommended to remove dust/debris from your Mondo flooring by thoroughly vacuuming the surface before and/or after special events, as needed or a minimum of once a week. Do not allow for dust/debris to accumulate and stand on the surface for extended periods of time.
NOTE: High traffic areas may be vacuumed as frequently as needed.
We strongly encourage daily vacuuming as it will minimize dirt build-up.
2. WASHING PROTOCOLS
Washing your Mondo surface will maintain its appearance and aid to prolong its life expectancy. There are three types of washes you can perform on your Sportflex surface: initial wash, regular wash and restorative wash (deep cleaning).
When the Sportflex is initially installed, you will need to thoroughly wash it before you beginning using the surface; this is known as the initial wash. You should not attempt to do the initial wash until 72 hours after the installation of the product. This will ensure the adhesive has fully cured and that there is no risk of compromising the new flooring system installed.
After the initial wash has taken place, it is recommended to wash your Sportflex surface a minimum of once a week. However, the frequency can be increased depending on traffic, the number of programs and special events. This is what is known as regular washes.
Restorative washes are recommended every 2-3 years in order to restore the surface to its original condition. A natural paraffin build-up will occur over time and removing it every few years will help you maintain a desirable surface.
All of the above-mentioned procedures are detailed herein.
A. Initial Wash (Min. 72 Hours Post-Installation)
- Always post wet floor signs, caution tape or barricade an area before performing wet maintenance.
- Always refer to the Manufacturer’s material safety data sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before working with chemicals.
- For this exercise you will need: a vacuum, an autoscrubber (300 rpm
MAX equipped with soft nylon cylindrical brushes) and Profi neutral
cleaner by Taski or other recommended cleaner
(see section 4).
- Begin by thoroughly vacuuming the surface of the Sportflex.
- Prepare the autoscrubber and mix the appropriate ratio of the suggested cleaner. Normally we recommend 5–10 oz. of Profi to a gallon of water for the initial wash, and depending on how soiled the flooring is.
NOTE: It is recommended to test your selected dilution rate on a small area of the flooring surface in order to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, then slightly adjust your mixing ratio according to your needs.
- Apply product on surface following Manufacturer’s instructions and allow solution to stand for 5-10 minutes (do not let surface dry out). Rubber has a tendency to be “grabby” and assuring a wet surface will allow the scrubber to thoroughly and easily move across to clean the surface. Scrub surface in multiple directions and vacuum soiled water.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean fresh water. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues.
NOTE: Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap residue. This can leave white streaks/marks on the surface of your floor and negatively affect the aesthetics of your flooring
- Allow the flooring to thoroughly dry before using the surface.
B. Regular Wash (Minimum Once Weekly)
- Always post wet floor signs, caution tape or barricade an area before performing wet maintenance.
- Always refer to the Manufacturer’s material safety data sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before working with chemicals.
- For this exercise you will need: a vacuum, an autoscrubber (300 rpm
MAX equipped with a soft nylon cylindrical brushes) and Profi neutral
cleaner by Taski or other recommended cleaner
(see section 4).
- Begin by thoroughly vacuuming or sweeping the surface of the Sportflex.
- Prepare the autoscrubber and mix the appropriate ratio of the suggested cleaner. Normally we recommend 2–3 oz. of Profi to a gallon of water for regular washes. Depending on how soiled the area is you may choose to increase the concentration of the cleaner to 5-10 oz to a gallon of water if you have to deal with a particularly challenging area.
NOTE: It is recommended to test your selected dilution rate on a small area of the flooring surface in order to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, then slightly adjust your mixing ratio according to your needs.
- Apply product on surface following Manufacturer’s instructions and allow solution to stand for 5-10 minutes (do not let surface dry out). Rubber has a tendency to be “grabby” and assuring a wet surface will allow the scrubber to thoroughly and easily move across to clean the surface. Scrub surface in multiple directions and vacuum soiled water.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean fresh water. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues.
NOTE: Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap residue. This can leave white streaks/marks on the surface of your floor and negatively affect the aesthetics of your flooring.
- Allow the flooring to thoroughly dry before using the surface.
C. Restorative Wash (Deep Cleaning Once Every 2-3 Years)
- Always post wet floor signs, caution tape or barricade an area before performing wet maintenance.
- Always refer to the Manufacturer’s material safety data sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before working with chemicals.
- For this exercise you will need: a vacuum, a wet mop and bucket, an autoscrubber (300 rpm MAX equipped with soft nylon cylindrical brushes) and Linostrip (stripper) by Taski or other recommended cleaner (see section 4).
- Begin by thoroughly vacuuming the surface of the Sportflex.
- Depending on how much build-up you have, mix 1 part Linostrip to 6 parts cool water (light to medium build-up) or 1 part Linostrip to 4 parts cool water (heavy build-up). Apply solution onto flooring with mop.
NOTE: It is recommended to test your selected dilution rate on a small area of the flooring surface in order to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, then slightly adjust your mixing ratio according to your needs.
- Following Manufacturer’s instructions, allow solution to stand for 7-10 minutes (do not let surface dry out before scrubbing). Rubber has a tendency to be “grabby” and assuring a wet surface will allow the scrubber to thoroughly and easily move across to clean the surface. Scrub surface in multiple directions and vacuum soiled water.
- Rinse the surface thoroughly with clean fresh water. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues.
NOTE: Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap residue. This can leave white streaks/marks on the surface of your floor and negatively affect the aesthetics of your flooring.
- Allow the flooring to thoroughly dry before using the surface.
3. WAXES AND COATINGS
Mondo sport surfaces do not need to be waxed or sealed. A regular maintenance regimen is all that is needed to care for your Sportflex surface.
The maintenance of any Mondo product will improve with time. This type of surface may take anywhere from 6 months to a year to properly break in and develop its own natural finish. Regular maintenance will help speed up this process.
4. SUGGESTED CLEANERS
Mondo has worked with and recommends the following cleaners that are safe to use on your surface: Profi (by Taski), GP Forward, J-Works Low Foaming Neutral Cleaner 525 or Heavy Duty Cleaner 555, J-Shop Low Foam and Stride Citrus Neutral Cleaner that are all manufactured by JohnsonDiversey.
When a disinfectant is required, we recommend using Virex II 256 by JohnsonDiversey.
For a deep cleaning or stripping of the flooring, you can use Linostrip by Taski, Linosafe or Rubber Safe Stripper by JohnsonDiversey.
For more information on chemicals, consult section 5, A and/or communicate with your local chemical specialist.
5. PRECAUTIONARY MAINTENANCE AND NOTES
NOTE: Always wait 72 hours after the installation before performing the initial maintenance of the surface.
NOTE: DO NOT use a brown or black scrubbing pad on Mondo flooring or it will damage the material and void the warranty.
NOTE: DO NOT use steel wool or abrasive brushes, acetone, gasoline or turpentine to clean your Mondo flooring.
A. Cleaning Products
If you will be using cleaners other than those suggested you must perform tests on stock samples or small secluded areas of the Sportflex to ensure that the surface will not be damaged in any way. For regular maintenance, your flooring cleaner is required to have a neutral pH (between 7 and 9). All chemicals used must be solvent-free, phosphate-free and phenol-free. As a general guideline, never select chemicals that have a pH below 2 or above 12.
B. Cleaning Equipment
It is recommended to wash the Sportflex surface with the aid of an autoscrubber or swing machine for best results.
NOTE: When performing maintenance, DO NOT allow for water to pool under fixed pieces of equipment that could allow for the formation of rust stains onto the surface of your Mondo flooring. RUST will permanently stain your rubber surface.
C. Entrances
The use of walk off mats at entrances and exits is an effective way to reduce the amount of maintenance needed as a result of traffic. Be mindful of mats with black rubber backings that may contain black carbon chemicals that could permanently react with your Mondo rubber surface. The result is usually a residual yellowish-brown stain where the mat had been placed. Furthermore, NOT allowing exterior footwear onto the surface is also an effective way to reduce maintenance efforts by eliminating exterior soils from getting onto the Sportflex surface.
D. Heavy Equipment
Facilities that will need to move heavy equipment on or across the new Mondo surface should use extra care to avoid any damage to the flooring. When moving heavy equipment, plywood or Masonite should always be used as a bridge in order to avoid damaging the surface when moving across.
Utility vehicles should be kept off the surface. These vehicles can cause damage to the surface by leaking oil, making sudden stops and/or spinning their wheels which cause tire marks or streaks on the surface. When vehicles must be allowed onto the surface, drivers should be cautioned to avoid quick starting and stopping. Plywood tracks can be used and are recommended to cross over the surface. NOTE: All equipment going on or off the Mondo surface should be in good working order to avoid any oil or gas spills.
When it is necessary to rest heavy objects on the surface, such as temporary bleachers, the surface should be protected with skid rails, boards or plywood that spread the weight evenly over a given surface and eliminate point loading. If depression of the surface occurs from high static loads, permanent deformation can result, depending on the load, length of time the load was applied and the temperature.
E. Rolling and Static Loads
Facilities that use or plan to use heavy rolling or fixed equipment, such as bleachers, are invited to analyze the product’s mechanism and weight distribution to ensure no damage to the flooring resulting from their use. Always respect the flooring’s maximum tolerance. Mondo will not be responsible for malfunctioning or improperly calibrated equipment.
F. Food and Beverages
When possible, food and beverages should not be allowed onto the surface of the Sportflex. Certain types of food and highly colored drinks, if left in place, could be difficult to remove and may cause permanent staining to the surface. For best results, clean up spills immediately as they occur.
G. Spikes
Mondo Sportflex is NOT spike resistant.
H. UV
Mondo Sportflex is UV resistant and can be safely installed outdoors.
For assistance, please contact:
JohnsonDiversey Technical Support
1-800-558-2332 ext. 5
Mondo Technical Department
2655 Francis Hughes, Laval (Quebec) Canada H7L 3S8
Email: technical@mondousa.com
North American Headquarters: 450-967-5800
Canada Toll Free: 1-800-663-8138
United States Toll Free: 1-800-361-3747