Sport and Commercial flooring
Technical Department
Sportflex (Sportflex and Sportflex M)
Maintenance Guidelines (OUTDOOR)
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 outdoor maintenance of your new Sportflex surface. A separate set of instructions should be obtained, if product is installed indoors.
Your maintenance regimen can be personalized and will depend on traffic/number of events, the size of the surface, 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 outdoor maintenance of your new Sportflex surface. A separate set of instructions should be obtained, if product is installed indoors.
Your maintenance regimen can be personalized and will depend on traffic/number of events, the size of the surface, 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 SURFACEBeing outdoors, it is a given that this surface will somewhat be cleaned by natural
process. However, basic regular or periodical maintenance on your part may be
necessary based on your needs and the use of the surface.Regular maintenance should include:
1. DEBRIS REMOVAL
It is recommended to remove dust/debris from your Mondo surface by thoroughly vacuuming the Sportflex before and/or after special events or as needed. 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.
2. WASHING PROTOCOLS
Washing your Mondo surface will maintain its appearance and aid to prolong its life expectancy. Outdoor surfaces should be washed as needed. The best method for washing your outdoor surfaces is with a ride-on scrubber or sweeper1.
1 If you are attempting to wash this surface yourself, or if you are attempting minor spot cleaning, and you do not have access to a ride-on scrubber, the surface can be hosed down with a regular garden hose (with sufficient pressure) and scrubbed with deck brushes (equipped with soft nylon bristles) to deal with soiled areas. Washing your track is a team effort; it will require assistance from multiple individuals so that the surface remains wet during the wash and soap is not allowed to gather and dry on the surface. Rinse as much as needed to avoid any soap residue.
NOTE: It is recommended to request the help of professionals who have proper outdoor maintenance experience, since this work is elaborate. When washing the Sportflex, it is recommended to do so during the warmest months when there is less rain.
- For this exercise you will need: vacuum(s), ride-on scrubber or sweeper (with soft nylon brushes), garden hose(s) with proper attachments or 2-inch hose(s) if accessible, squeegees and/deck brushes with soft nylon bristles and Profi neutral cleaner by Taski.
- Begin by thoroughly vacuuming the Sportflex’s surface.
-
Prepare the ride-on scrubber making sure the battery is charged or that you
have sufficient propane (based on the model you use, battery operated models might not last as long). 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 Sportflex surface in order to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, then slightly adjust your mixing ratio according to your needs. - Flood the surface with your garden hose to facilitate the cleaning. Rubber has a tendency to be “grabby” and free-standing water on the surface while you wash it will allow the scrubber and its brushes to thoroughly and easily move across and clean the surface.
- As the ride-on scrubber moves down the surface, it is recommended to push soiled water down into the gutters with the aid of a garden hose. THE SURFACE MUST BE SUFFICIENTLY RINSED WITH CLEAR WATER TO AVOID SOAP RESIDUE/BUILD-UP. If your garden hose is too long (some facilities do not provide nearby water access) thus reducing the water pressure, help soiled water make its way into the gutters by pushing it with a squeegee while you hold the hose in place. You can always use the ride-on scrubber to vacuum the soiled water and then rinse with clean water while vacuuming again but this will take much more time.
NOTE: Avoid “burning” the surface of the Sportflex by scrubbing the surface while it is dry. On hot days the water will quickly evaporate so frequently check the surface for proper moisture. Washing your track is a team effort; it will require assistance from multiple individuals in order to be done effectively. Avoid using high-pressure wash systems. A regular garden hose with appropriate attachment is safe and recommended.
NOTE: Insufficient rinsing of the 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 Sportflex and negatively affect its aesthetics, especially when the residue is exposed to heat and direct sunlight.
NOTE: DO NOT perform maintenance on a newly installed surface until the adhesive has fully cured.
NOTE: DO NOT use steel wool or abrasive brushes, acetone, gasoline or turpentine to clean your Mondo surface.
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. Do NOT use no-rinse formulas. 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 phenolfree. As a general guideline, never select chemicals that have a pH below 2 or above 12. ALWAYS rinse surface with fresh water after washing as many time.
B. Cleaning Equipment
It is recommended to wash the Sportflex surface with the aid of a ride-on scrubber or sweeper for best results.
C. Weeds
Weeds, grass and/or other plants can be a problem if and when encroaching at both inside and outside edges of the surface. If allowed to take over, the weeds will eventually grow up through the asphalt and will buckle the surface, entrap water and cause both cracking and drainage problems.
Inside and outside concrete curbs will prevent plants from breaking the asphalt. If budgeting does not permit the installation of concrete curbs, the initial design should allow the asphalt to extend beyond the surface by at least five to eight inches. This will minimize the possibility of grass and weeds growing onto the surface. This problem can also be avoided by using a grass killer, spraying the asphalt once every two years and by sealing the asphalt with an asphalt sealer once every two years also.
D. Drains
Drains should be cleaned periodically. If not, blockages can cause water accumulation to occur which will leave marks on the surface (watermarks).
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. Spikes
Mondo Sportflex is NOT spike resistant.
I. 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