At Floor Craft Sanding, we know that the hardwood gymnasium floors of schools and athletic centers take a serious beating. After awhile, the floor has had enough, and it’s time to give it a little makeover.
But when does this typically happen, and what signs should you look for?
There’s no “set time” when a hardwood gymnasium floor must be refinished, but the general answer is that it needs to be done every 10 years. When you begin to notice damage to the finish—such as flaking away, cracking, or chipping—it’s probably time to sand it.
Including the time it takes for the finish to set, the sanding and refinishing process normally takes around 3-4 weeks. Again, this is a general answer; there are other factors that can cause the process to take a bit longer, such as how much stripping will be done and whether you decide to use an oil- or water-based finish.
Speaking of finish, the floor’s new finish will need to set for at least 72 hours for water-based finishes, and at least seven days if an oil-based finish was used.
Once the gym floor is sanded and refinished, you’ll need to consider daily maintenance in order to keep it looking its best for another 10 years (or around then). The best routine is to dust-mop the gym floor as much as possible each day and avoiding dust-mop treatments (they often contain oil). Scrubber-vacuums are not recommended for hardwood gym floors. Remember to mop up spills immediately and to dry the floor quickly after as well. Not only will this stop accidents, but water is not good for hardwood floors.
It’s very smart to hire a contractor who is trained and experienced in hardwood sports flooring when the time comes to sand and refinish your hardwood gym floor. You’ll definitely want someone who does a good job and fully understands the way to get the project done right, and as quickly as possible without sacrificing quality. It’s also a good idea to call a hardwood gym floor contractor to ensure that it’s time to be refinished in the first place. With their professional eye, you’ll know whether it’s way past time, or if you have another couple of years until you need to go for it.
At Floor Craft Sanding, we know floors. Read our customer reviews to hear what others have to say about our dedication to quality craftsmanship on our past work in hardwood floor gymnasiums. Contact us anytime at (317) 759-2575 to learn more about our services or to schedule a consultation in Indianapolis, Carmel, Fishers, Zionsville, or the surrounding area.