Have you ever heard someone say, “that was a great game!” after watching a sporting event? You probably know what that means without asking. We understand that a “great game” refers to a back-and-forth battle. It’s not a one-sided blowout. It’s a game where the outcome isn’t clear until the final whistle.
Exciting matchups aside, games are usually decided before the players ever take the field. That first pitch or kickoff is actually the end of important preparation that spectators never see. It is critical work. The winning team is the one that is “game ready,” meaning they have practiced beforehand.
Let’s apply that idea to construction, specifically flooring installation. When the installers arrive at the job site, the success or failure of the floor may have been determined at an earlier stage. Just like a basketball player who runs a few extra drills after practice, or a football player who adds a few extra reps in training, there are things you can do to make sure your building is “game ready” for flooring installation. Here are a few ways to set your new gym floor up for success.
Check for moisture in the concrete. Hygroscopic pressure from moisture in the concrete slab can cause a floor to fail. If it exceeds the tolerance levels set by the manufacturer, that failure is almost guaranteed. Knowing the relative humidity (RH) of the slab is the first step. There are various testing methods. The in-situ probe test defined in ASTM F2170 is common. It is important to test in multiple locations on the concrete slab with using this method. Consult with your flooring provider about the manufacturer’s preferred testing method and standards. Recommended methods can sometimes have implications for product warranties. Almost all sports floor manufacturers will publish an acceptable RH percentage for specific floors.
If you have high moisture, mitigate it. Ok, let’s assume that you have a very wet concrete slab. By no means do you need to call the project off. There are a variety of effective moisture mitigation solutions. The chances are very good your flooring manufacturer offers an underlayment barrier that separates the floor from the concrete. A moisture barrier doesn’t make the problem go away, but it does prevent it from interfering with the integrity of the gym floor. Consult with your flooring provider to come up with a mitigation plan, because every situation is different. At Abacus Sports Installations, we’ve seen a thing or two over the past 30 years. There aren’t many challenges we shy away from, so let us help you.
Is your concrete flat? The installation of a gym floor, regardless of the type, must have a relatively flat subfloor to work. It’s possible for cracking and shifting to occur in the concrete slab, especially in older construction. Even planar surfaces are all the more essential to sports floors, because players depend on uniformity for game play and to minimize injury. Just like moisture mitigation, you have options. Uneven concrete can be corrected with patches and grinding. Check with your flooring provider to determine the tolerances of specific floors.
Of course, these aren’t the only considerations for making a job site “game ready.” It’s just a start. The important thing is to anticipate problems beforehand and use resources like Abacus Sports Installations to help in that planning. That way, your new gym floor will be a winner before the first jump ball.