James Hyde, Managing Director of Roger Hyde Limited, gives a number of tips in this article for those who have floors or exterior surfaces to maintain and upkeep.

Experience, the drive to continually improve, pride in preparation and use of the best materials are the hallmarks of success.

The cost of ‘getting it wrong’ can be an expensive mistake.

Professionalism and work efficiency means that it costs hardly any more for a first class job. In addition, a professional firm can cover aspects such as Health and Safety, staffing, machine and equipment outlay plus wear and tear.  

Choice in wood floors alone is incredible. Once usage is prioritised, a short list of the most suitable products available can be supplied.  

Sprung wood flooring still remains one of the most popular options, including Junckers. Other surfaces are available and becoming more popular including seamless polyurethane offering durable and easy to clean surfaces.

A survey will lead to very credible recommendations. Replacement can be postponed if the refurbishment is completed correctly.  The survey includes the measurement of existing seal depth, the slip co-efficiency, damp readings and maintenance advice.

Other surfaces - Tennis Courts and Playgrounds
Expertise is required in the refurbishment, repair or building of new macadam courts or multi-sports areas. The supply and installation of suitable floodlighting, fencing and quality outdoor equipment should be taken into consideration to ensure ongoing costs are reduced.

We offer a free maintenance survey and report, without obligation. This could highlight any signs of deterioration and advise you of remedial action.

Weatherseal – A cheaper solution
Through wear and tear, loose grit and stones appear, moss and weeds start to grow.  The Weatherseal process can remedy this immediately with significant cost savings.

The incredibly strong Weatherseal binder has an average life of 10 years, similar to that of a new surface.   It is a permanent, safer surface which also drains better because of its porosity – providing that open textured macadam has been used in the first place. The treatment is then finished off with high viscosity acrylic paints with exceptional anti-slip properties.

Maxseal
Most courts can be remedied with the Weatherseal process.   However, for those that have deteriorated too badly, Maxseal is the answer.

This open textured, painted macadam is a very free draining, safe, highly slip-resistant surface and above all, is extremely resistant to wear. The result is a superb court, with excellent hard surface playing characteristics, available in a combination of colours.  

Here is an extract from the Guide:-

1. Water use
Over wetting will cause damage to most floor surfaces especially wood and Granwood. The correct maintenance procedure will always involve the minimum quantities of water.

Regularly changing water, the operator avoids “cleaning” with dirty or contaminated water. This is not efficient cleaning. Always use hot or warm water, changing regularly.

It is essential to follow industry standards and use colour coded equipment for the kitchen (blue) and toilet (red) to avoid cross-contamination. This would be assessed during a health and safety visit.

2. Not turning/changing floor machine pads sufficiently
Machine pads get dirty during the cleaning process. If not turned frequently and then changed for clean pads, they become saturated, and surface dirt will not be removed.

3. Using washing up liquid as cleaning fluid
Always use the right product for the job. Washing up liquid is not easy to rinse when used in floor cleaning and leaves a sticky residue. Use low-foaming detergents.

4. Putting too much detergent in water
More is not always better. A too highly concentrated solution of detergent can leave a residue on your floor. This forms a thin barrier on the surface which can be sticky and / or dull, and become dirty very quickly.

5. Putting no detergent in water
Body fats and grease need to be chemically removed from a floor. Without the right chemical, these will remain and affect the floor surface and become unhygienic and slippery.

6. Sweeping instead of using dust attractor
Sweeping in large areas is not only a slow, boring process; it can lead to operator error. Sweeping also releases air borne dust which returns to the surface.  Dust attractors or V-Mops keep air borne dust to a minimum.

7. Allowing even small amounts of playschool sand to remain
Leaving sand on the floor surface is destructive. Sand will act as an abrasive, like sand paper, when walked upon and slowly remove your floor surface.

8. Tap dancing
Tap dancing is the single most destructive activity for a wood floor. No floor seal will withstand it.  There are specific tap dancing protective surfaces and portable floors available. If you have tap dancing on your wood floor, it must be protected. If not, your floor will become damaged and sanding and sealing may not prove to be sufficient.

Summary: Even one of these simple mistakes regarding your flooring, if allowed to continue without check, will eventually cause major problems that affect the safety or cost of maintaining your flooring.

Roger Hyde Limited offers a free guide “The Seven Most Expensive Mistakes People Make with Flooring and How You Can Avoid Them”.  Please contact them on freephone 0800 169 7015 or email info@rogerhyde.co.uk if you would like a copy.