Gym floor screening and recoating is the best way to increase the life span of your wood flooring year after year, and to push off (as long as possible) the eventual costs of a new installation.
Wood floor installations should last for 50 years with proper maintenance and care. This includes regular cleaning, repairing any damages before they become detrimental to your budget or hazardous to your colleagues, and making sure the surface remains dry and away from prolonged moisture.
In this post, we’ll answer common questions about screening and recoating your gym floor to help prolong the need for a new wood flooring installation.
Q: What does screening and recoating mean?
A: Screening involves a light sanding of your wood flooring using a screen disc on a buffer. Recoating is the process of using a finishing agent, such as polyurethane, to seal the floor after you screen and clean it.
Q: How do you know your gym floor needs screening and recoating?
A: Gym floor screening and recoating is preventative. Regularly scheduling these preventative measures can maintain competitive play on your hardwood surfaces, as well as minimize slippage and falls on a surface that has become too worn.
Q: How often should you screen and recoat your gym floor?
A: Industry standards recommend screening and coating every 6 months to 1 year (depending on usage of area). Regular screening and recoating over the life time of your gym floors will help them last much longer.
Q: How long does it take to screen and recoat your gym floor?
A: The process can be completed in a few days, and often times gym floor screening and recoating can be completed over a weekend. As a guide…
Here is what Harco says for their 5400 product:
Dry time & cure: 3-4 hours to touch
Screen: 6-8 hours
Allow to dry overnight for light traffic and 48 hours for heavy traffic. Remember that drying time will be increased by high humidity, low temperature, lack of air movement, or heavy application.
Here are specifics on application of the Bona Sport 350 Oil for one or two coats:
The curing process takes approximately 14 days. The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but the floor is susceptible to scuffing or marring prior to completion of the curing time. Do not replace athletic or walk-off mats until finish is fully cured. Do not clean with water or detergent during the curing process.
Here are specifics on application of the Bona SuperSport water-base (will always be two coats):
The curing process takes approximately 7 days, (70% cured after 1 day, 90% after 3 days). Do not replace area rugs until the floor has fully cured. The floor may be walked on after 24 hours, but remains susceptible to scuffing or marring until completely cured. Use only a dry Bona Microfiber Mop or cloth for cleaning during the first week.
In many cases, if screening begins Friday night, two coats can be applied over the weekend and Mathusek maintenance crews will be out by Sunday afternoon to allow for Monday usage as normal.
Q: When is the best time to screen and recoat your gym floor?
All coatings applied by Mathusek are MFMA approved. Because of a this, it is not necessary to evacuate the area completely. Likewise, the process is finished in a matter of days, so any time of the year will work for gym floor screening and recoating. Mathusek is always ready to work around your demanding schedule.
Q: What’s the best way to maintain hardwood flooring every day?
Regular sweeping and mopping greatly minimize the grime and debris that can negatively impact your gym floor. Also, Mathusek has product for the regular cleaning of gym floors. This is crucial, especially during the heavy ice and storm seasons when floors take a beating and the hardwood flooring surface can become slippery.
Paired with sanding and resurfacing every 8-10 years, screening and recoating every 6 months to 1 year will keep your hardwood flooring in tip top shape.
Do you want to talk to a Mathusek professional about a screening and recoating your gym floor? Call us today or contact us online to learn more.
For more information about the ILS Financing Program, contact Kim White by email, or phone 800-438-1470, ext. 109.
Visit Mathusek’s Financing Page to learn more about this offer.