Thank you for purchasing your SportFloor® ProXL product from Sound Barrier. You have made an exceptional choice for your facility, one that you will want to properly protect. ProXL surfaces are engineered and manufactured using the highest quality virgin and recycled materials to ensure a long and useful life.
The following maintenance guidelines have been prepared to assist owners of ProXL Recreational Flooring in the recommended care of your new product. It is a guideline which may be used to produce an effective finished installation and should be reviewed in the context of the installation site(s).
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ProXL must not be cleaned with any petroleum based cleaners. If any petroleum fuels are spilled on the matting, it should be removed immediately to avoid damage to the matting and voiding of warranty.
Rubber flooring will typically and gradually “oxidize” and “break in” over time. This “maturing” is a completely natural phenomenon, which helps to create an easy to clean surface. However, during the early stages of this “break in” period (approximately 6 months), the surface will attract soil more easily than it would once it has matured so initial maintenance is very important. (Refer to Deep Cleaning instructions below.)
These maintenance guidelines are applicable for both adhered and interlock installation methods.
- For interlocking ProXL – Cleaning can be performed immediately after installation.
- For glued down ProXL – Wait 72 hours (min) after installation then proceed with floor maintenance
Equipment Needed:
- Broom
- Wet/dry vacuum
- Wet floor signs and/or caution tape
- TASKI™ Profi® and Material Safety Data Sheets
- Personal protective equipment (if required)
- Rotary buffing machine (300 rpm max)
- Medium Scotch Brite® pad
- Restoration only
- TASKI Ice-it
- Purple Scotch Brite® pad or nylon brush
I. Debris Removal
A. Initial Cleaning: Thoroughly vacuum or sweep your new floor to remove all dust and/or debris.
B. Routine Cleaning: Vacuuming or sweeping should be done daily to minimize dirt buildup. As a minimum this cleaning should be performed weekly or more frequently as required.
II. Cleaning
A. Initial Cleaning:
- DO NOT clean for minimum of 72 hours after installation. This ensures that the adhesive has fully cured and that there is no risk of compromising the newly installed flooring system.
- Recommended cleaner is TASKI™ Profi® or a similar product.
- For safety, post “Wet Floor” signs, use caution tape or barricade the area from entry.
- Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before working with chemicals.
- Mix the appropriate ratio of the cleaner as recommended by the manufacturer. (Note: Test diluted solution on small area of floor surface to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, slightly adjust your mixing ratio accordingly.)
- Using a mop, apply approved floor cleaner diluted with clean water.
- Follow cleaning product manufacturer’s instructions and allow solution to stand for 5-10 minutes after application, but do not allow surface to dry out.
- While still wet, scrub floor using a rotary buffing machine equipped with a medium Scotch Brite® pad.
- Scrub surface in multiple directions with the rotary buffing machine and remove wet residue using a wet-dry vacuum.
- Damp mop rinse the surface thoroughly using clean fresh water.
- Repeat cleaning as required to remove any remaining mold release or sediment.
- Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap residue. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues.
- Prohibit foot traffic on flooring until area is dry.
B. Regular Cleaning: (Minimum Once Weekly)
- For safety, post wet floor signs, caution tape or barricade area
- Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before
working with chemicals. - Begin by thoroughly vacuuming or sweeping the ProXL surface.
- Using a mop, apply approved floor cleaner diluted with clean water. Depending on how soiled the area
is, you may choose to increase the concentration of the cleaner. - Follow cleaning product manufacturer’s instructions and allow solution to stand for 5-10 minutes, but do
not allow surface to dry out. - Scrub floor using a rotary buffing machine equipped with a medium Scotch Brite® pad.
- Scrub surface in multiple directions and remove wet residue using a wet-dry vacuum.
- Damp mop rinse the surface thoroughly with clean fresh water.
- Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap
residue. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues. - Prohibit foot traffic on flooring until area is dry.
C. Deep Cleaning: (at approximately six months or when required)
- Recommended cleaner is “HD degreaser with glycol ether”.
- For safety, post “Wet Floor” sign, use caution tape or barricade the area from entry.
- Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment.
- Mix the appropriate ratio of the degreaser as recommended by the manufacturer. (Note: Test diluted solution on small area of floor surface to measure its efficiency. If it is not producing desired results, slightly adjust your mixing ratio accordingly.)
- Follow cleaning product manufacturer’s instructions
D. Restorative Cleaning: (approximately every 2-3 years or as required.)
- For safety, post wet floor signs, caution tape or barricade the area
- Refer to Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS) for proper personal protective equipment before working with chemicals.
- Begin by thoroughly vacuuming or sweeping the ProXL surface.
- Use TASKI Ice-It and mix to manufacturer’s suggested ratio as required for condition of flooring.
- Using a mop, apply mixed floor cleaner diluted with clean water.
- Allow solution to stand for 10-20 minutes but do not let surface dry out before scrubbing.
- Scrub floor using a rotary buffing machine equipped with a purple Scotch Brite® pad or nylon brush.
- Scrub surface in multiple directions and remove wet residue using a wet-dry vacuum.
- Damp mop rinse the surface thoroughly with clean fresh water.
- Repeat cleaning as required removing any remaining sediment or “applied finish” material.
- Insufficient rinsing of the flooring surface after it has been washed can lead to the accumulation of soap
residue. Repeat rinsing as required to remove all residues. - Prohibit foot traffic on flooring until area is dry.
III. Waxes and Coatings
- (Note: ProXL does not require an applied finish.)
A regular maintenance regimen is all that is needed to care for your rubber flooring. - An applied finish may alter the surface characteristic of the floor
IV. Precautionary Measures
- Note: Always wait 72 hours after installation before performing the initial maintenance of the surface.
- Note: DO NOT use a brown or black (coarse) scrubbing pad as it may damage the material and void the warranty.
- Note: DO NOT use steel wool or abrasive brushes, acetone, gasoline or turpentine to clean the flooring.
- Note: If any petroleum product is spilled on the flooring, it should be removed immediately to avoid
damage to the surface and voiding of warranty.
A. Cleaning Products
It is recommended that ProXL be cleaned with TASKI™ Profi®. If you choose to use cleaners other than the TASKI™ Profi® the 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
Best results come from using a rotary buffing machine. If installed equipment or furniture is preventing access,
perform regular cleaning with a wet or microfiber mop. Spot cleaning can be done with a soft nylon bristle deck brush.
(Note: DO NOT allow water to pool under pieces of equipment installed on the flooring. Rust may develop and permanently stain your rubber surface.)
C. Heavy Equipment
Heavy equipment placed on the flooring should not exceed the flooring’s capacity/tolerance. Make sure loads are properly distributed and that the wheel base or legs of the equipment are properly functional and protected with caps to avoid permanently scratching, indenting or gouging the surface of the rubber.
If heavy equipment must be moved across the finished floor, use extra care to avoid damage to the flooring. Plywood or Masonite should be used as a protective layer over the flooring to avoid damaging the surface.
Utility vehicles should be kept off the finished floor surface. Sudden stops and/or spinning wheels can cause tire marks or streaks on the surface. When vehicles must be allowed onto the surface, operators should be cautioned to avoid quick starts and stops. Plywood tracks placed under tires are recommended for crossing over the floor surface when required.
(Note: All equipment moving on or off the ProXL should be in good mechanical condition to avoid any oil drips or fluid spills.)
D. Food and Beverages
When possible, food and beverages should not be allowed onto the surface of the ProXL. Certain types of food and highly colored drinks, if spilled and/or left in place could be difficult to remove and may cause permanent staining to the surface.
E. Skates and Spikes
ProXL is designed to tolerate the use of skates and spikes. It is engineered to provide a safe and slip-resistant floor system, but is not indestructible and requires maintenance and eventual replacement depending on concentration of use.
F. UV
ProXL is sensitive to UV rays and should not be installed in an exterior application.
