Everywhere you go, you see rubber surfacing these days. Apart from playgrounds and garage floors, rubber surfaces are installed in pool decks, patios, walkways, and numerous other commercial and residential areas.

Rubber floorings are known for their durability, versatility, easy installation and maintenance, and several other benefits. But when you are actually going to install it, specific questions arise in your mind concerning its application, installation, performance, technical aspects, and maintenance.

These rubber surfacing FAQs will serve as a guide and clear all your doubts. So without further ado, let’s answer the common top 8 rubber surfacing FAQs one by one:

1. Where can you apply rubber surfacing?

Owing to its anti-skid and vibration impact absorption properties, Rubber Surfacing is the preferred surface flooring option for indoors. It’s even a good option for outdoor areas that require a non-slip and hard-wearing surface.

Besides, there is a wide range of rubber surfacing options to add to the comfort and aesthetics of space.

Rubber surfaces are popularly installed in resorts, swimming pool decks, playgrounds, parks, recreational areas, daycares, senior care centers, commercial spaces, homes, garages, walkways, and more.

2. On what subfloors can you install rubber flooring?

As long as you have a stable subfloor, you can install rubber flooring. Rubber surfaces are usually laid on concrete, tiles, asphalt, wood, stone, brick, steel, and carpet.

3. What surface depth is needed for rubber surface installation?

The minimum thickness that can be laid will depend on the existing base.  Usually, 20mm thickness and above can be installed onto a stable, concrete area. If your subfloor is type-1 mot stone, a minimum of 40mm thickness can be installed.

Since playground areas are flooded with swings and other such equipment, the depth of wet pour rubber will be determined by the equipment. You will have to meet the critical fall height based on that equipment.

4. How long do you have to wait before you walk or park on your rubber surface?

The curing period for pour-in-place rubber differs from place to place. It is determined by temperature and humidity level. However, typically, it takes 48 hours for pour-in-place rubber to set properly before you are able to walk on that surface.

However, for parking a car or placing any heavy or high-pressure equipment on the new rubber surface, it is best to wait for 3-5 days.

5. What is the best tip to maintain a rubber surface?

It is easy to maintain a rubber surface. You can simply brush the surface regularly or use a blower on the surface to get rid of airborne particles or other debris.

After 3-5 years, you will be required to deep clean the surface using a pressurized water process.

Outdoor rubber flooring needs extra care. Since it is subject to wear and tear, to extend its lifespan, you can:

• Use UV-stable rubber flooring. It will prevent the product from fading after a while.
• Owing to its porous nature, salts from the rainwater get trapped in the rubber floors. Clean the surface on a regular basis using a mild cleaning solution. It will remove the deposits.
• Ensure that your installation experts are aware of technical details such as the expansion and contraction of rubber. The tech details should be factored in when working on a project.

For winter maintenance, use snow shovels with plastic blades. For avoiding ice and slippery conditions, you can use ice melt products.

And in the spring, use pressure washing to get rid of any stains and residue.

6. What is the lifespan of a rubber floor?

Usually, rubber floor manufacturers offer a warranty of 5 years. But the lifespan of a rubber floor will depend on how you use and maintain the floor. You can follow the tips mentioned in point 5 to elongate the lifespan of your rubber surface flooring.

7. What if an area of your rubber surfacing gets damaged?

If an area of your floor gets damaged, you can replace it by re-pouring the rubber-resin mix. It will mix well with the rest of the surface. You won’t even notice any trace of the repairs.

You can get the help of certified professionals for handling such tasks.

8. Is rubber surfacing eco-friendly?

Some of the rubber surfacings are made with recycled and pre-cycled tire materials. Since old tires are a significant problem in the landfills and add to the release of methane, opting for rubber flooring is taking an eco-friendly step. You will be helping in reducing the number of old tires that get dumped in the landfill.

Wrap up

There you have it! The top 8 rubber surfacing FAQs answered. You can read this article anytime you have a query concerning rubber surface application, installation, performance, technical aspects, and maintenance. And unless you are very confident about the installation procedure or have already successfully installed it, it is best to leave the task to an expert.

Summer times are best enjoyed by the pool. But as we ‘dive into’ the pool season, it’s also important to give our pool deck surfacing a critical inspection. When enjoying some outdoor recreation time with loved ones, the last thing we want is an accident or a serious injury owing to a faulty pool deck.

Watch out for the below-mentioned signs to decide whether or not your pool deck needs resurfacing. This simple exercise will help you prevent damages that otherwise compromise the safety, longevity, and aesthetics of the pool.

1. Visible Signs of Wear

The top sign that your pool deck’s demanding resurfacing is when you see visible signs of wear and tear. Chips, blemishes, and cracks on the pool deck surface aren’t just unsightly but also compromise the overall safety of the deck and the integrity of the structure.

Here are a few signs of aging deck surface you should watch out for –

– Scaling

A brittle surface that’s scaling or flaking is weak and ugly to look at. Being rough and uneven, such surfaces are tough to walk on bare feet.

A non-abrasive and non-slip surface like rubber is great for walking around barefoot around the pool. Rubber surfaces are smooth and prevent cuts and other injuries that may occur when pool users move around with wet feet.

– Stains or Discoloration

A few surfaces like concrete are porous; so, in case of a spill, there’s a high chance of it leaving an ugly stain or a discoloration on the surface. Stains are harmless; yet, they reduce the aesthetic value of the area.

If the discoloration bothers you, it’s time to consider a pool deck resurfacing.

– Overheated Surface

With age, pool deck surfaces tend to lose their finishing or protective coating, exposing the concrete subfloor to the sunlight. This results in the surface turning too hot for anyone to walk around barefoot.

If your pool deck surface is overheating, it’s time to consider adding a protective layer on the concrete surface, thereby keeping it cool enough to walk on.

If you see such damage get in touch with your local pool deck resurfacing expert to get your pool to look great again.

2. Hairline Cracks on the Surface or Crumbling of the Cement Foundation

Outdoor structures suffer from the issue of the soil settling in the ground underneath. Moreover, several environmental factors impact the foundation’s stability. This may show up as hairline cracks at first and further lead to fissures in the foundation. Eventually, the cement begins to crumble and sag.

Weather and age often take a toll on the pool deck’s foundation, causing it to sag. A sagging foundation deepens the cracks, thereby inviting termites and speeding up the deck deterioration.

Such signs are tough to ignore as they can lead to tripping hazards and negatively affect the integrity of the structure. Further, an unsightly and misaligned foundation reduces the property’s real estate value.

If you see signs of the pool foundation sinking or the deck surface going spongy, it’s time to work towards preventing further damage.

3. Slippery Walkways

A slippery pool deck surface can pose a serious safety hazard for people using the space, especially seniors and kids. A slippery surface has lost its traction, thereby increasing the chances of a fall injury.

When you see people slipping or tripping when using the pool deck, it’s time to schedule a resurfacing service right away. Most pool owners in the US opt for wet-pour rubber surfacing as rubber is known to have a high coefficient of friction. This property of rubber gives the surface just the right traction even in wet conditions.

Moreover, rubber is springy and shock-absorbing; hence, it reduces the impact of a fall, making it a safe and effective surface for pool decks. If you are looking for an anti-skid and safe surface for your pool surroundings, get in touch with River Rock Resurfacing. Our team of experts will inspect your pool and guide you through your pool deck resurfacing project.

4. Rotten Foundation

Most modern pool decks are constructed with concrete footings and material like rubber that’s impermeable to moisture. This stops the moisture from getting into the foundation.

However, old decks made of wooden boards tend to rot when water gets in and the deck isn’t maintained properly. This can cause issues like mold and mildew that gradually weaken the foundation.

Therefore, we recommend opting for a surface that naturally repels moisture and is inhospitable to pathogens like bacteria, viruses, and fungi.

5. You Want to Boost Your Property Value

Another big reason you should consider resurfacing your pool deck is when you want to sell your house or boost its real estate value. A damaged and unsafe deck significantly reduces the value of a residential property. Resurfacing can improve your home’s curb appeal, attract potential buyers (in case you are planning to sell your house), and impress your neighbors and guests.

What’s the Best Surface for Pool Decks?

A swimming pool deck needs a durable, high-traction, and non-abrasive surface like poured-in-place rubber surfacing. The seamless anti-skid surface is safe to walk on and can be customized to suit the pool owner’s requirements. Further, rubber surfacing is available in a wide variety of colors and textures to improve the aesthetics of your pool.

Summing Up

Swimming pools exist to offer a fun and refreshing experience to people of all ages. However, a faulty pool deck surface holds several hidden dangers that can ruin your experience.

Keep an eye out for the aforementioned warning signs of an unsafe pool deck surface. If you spot any of these, get a resurfacing expert to give your pool deck a new look.