More damage is done to flooring in transporting it than in using it. Here are a few tips to reduce the possibility of damage.
1. Always roll the floor up around a core. We recommend a 6” diameter plastic tube which you will be able to find at most plumbing/hardware stores.
2. Never transport or store floors on top of each other. Try to store and transport floors vertically, if possible. (For short term travel, floors may be stacked on one another but must be placed upright or unrolled as soon as possible.)
Prolonged stacking will cause failure of the floor. Be careful not to transport directly on pallets as the slats can cause indentations. Best if can use corrugated cradles or other protective packaging.
3. Always store your flooring on end. Laying it flat will cause the floor to warp, producing “waves” and creases in the flooring. (This is a repetition of the above point. It is that important and we hear stories all the time from dance studios and performance centers that have had flooring rolls ruined due to this issue.)
4. Always store your floor at room temperature, or at least between 50-90 degrees. If your floor is exposed to cooler or hotter temperature, let the floor acclimate to the temperature of the room where it is being installed, preferably overnight, before unrolling it. If the temperature dips below 60° F, it may become brittle and it is subject to cracking or breaking if dropped, struck, or unrolled.
5. Protect your floor when moving it from dirt, grime, and contact damage using bubble wrap, boxes, and/or plastic/shrink wrap.
6. Always allow your floor to relax or acclimatize after rolling it out before applying tape or adhesive.
7. If you are using the flooring outside, be careful of three sun-related environmental elements. Excessive temperature will soften and expand flooring, making it vulnerable to damage. The sun emits UV radiation that will attack the plasticizers in the floor that make it flexible. Prolonged exposure to sunlight will cause your floor to become ridged and shrink or crack. Cover the flooring with a tarp when not in use, especially from 10 AM – 2 PM.
While water itself will not damage most PVC floors, it can create an ideal environment for mold. Immediately dry the floor and inspect for any mold spots. You should be especially concerned if you have foamed-back flooring because water can permanently damage the foam if not removed immediately. Never leave flooring outside without protecting it from the elements.
Note:
This advise is for roll-out PVC based flooring. Wood flooring needs protective coatings for outdoor exposure. Contact us for additional information.
THE WAVES
If your flooring has been rolled for a while, been stored without a tube, or has had weighted objects put on top of it, it is possible you have wave set. You know the minute you roll out your floor. It has waves and doesn’t lie flat. If this happens, here are some of the steps you can take to alleviate this problem.
1. Roll the floor up the opposite way around a tube and keep it in a warm place for a day or two. Then, unroll to see if you have fixed, or at the very least improved, the condition of the flooring.
2. Use heat (with caution) and pressure. A hair dryer works. Warm up a wave then put weight on it overnight. If it has not improved by the next day, you may have an unfixable floor.
