Maintaining and restoring existing sports flooring in your school’s gymnasium is essential for safety, performance, and longevity. Over time, sports floors can become scratched, worn, or lose their finish, which can affect both athletic performance and student safety. Professional sanding and refinishing restores durability, improves traction, and extends the life of your gym floor.
Here’s what schools need to know before scheduling sanding and refinishing for sports floors:
1. Signs Your Gym Floor Needs Refinishing
- Scratches, dents, or gouges: High foot traffic, sports equipment, and activities can leave marks on wood surfaces.
- Worn finish: Floors that appear dull or lose their protective coating are at higher risk for damage and slip hazards.
- Uneven surfaces: Uneven or warped planks can cause injuries and affect athletic performance.
2. Understanding the Refinishing Process
- Sanding: The top layer of the wood is carefully sanded to remove imperfections, scratches, and old finishes.
- Sealing: A protective sealer is applied to enhance durability and moisture resistance.
- Finishing: Multiple coats of a high-performance finish are applied to restore the floor’s shine and safety.
3. Safety and Compliance Considerations
- Slip resistance: Proper refinishing ensures the floor meets traction standards to prevent slips during sports and physical education.
- Line markings: Schools can have their court lines repainted during refinishing, maintaining regulation standards for basketball, volleyball, and other sports.
- VOC and environmental concerns: Choose finishes with low VOCs to keep the gym safe for students and staff.
4. Timing and Scheduling
- Off-season is best: Plan sanding and refinishing during summer or school breaks to minimize disruption.
- Curing time: Floors need adequate time to cure before students and athletes return, typically 24–48 hours for light use and longer for heavy traffic.
5. Long-Term Maintenance Tips
- Regular cleaning: Sweep and dust daily to prevent grit from scratching the finish.
- Protective mats: Use entrance mats to reduce debris carried onto the gym floor.
- Periodic inspections: Identify wear early to schedule refinishing before damage becomes extensive.
Why Restoring Your School Sports Flooring Matters
Investing in professional floor sanding and refinishing ensures gym floors are safe, smooth, and visually appealing for students, athletes, and visitors. At Milburn Flooring, we specialize in restoring existing sports flooring to meet safety standards and extend its lifespan.
Ready to bring your gym floor back to top condition? Contact Milburn Flooring today to schedule a consultation or professional refinishing service.
