Top Tips For Replacing Dugout Flooring

Dugout flooring is an important part of any baseball field. It is the flooring that makes or breaks the impression of a sports arena. Poorly maintained and torn out dugout flooring not only creates a poor impression but also impedes with the play. Baseball players, coaches, therapists and support staff remain in the dugout during most part of the play. They will not like to stay in a dirty and poorly maintained area but will still have to compromise on it. While they will bear if for a few hours, the players and managers may stop using your facility in future. It thus becomes important to repair or replace dugout flooring, based on the nature of deterioration.

Examine the Damage
Dugout flooring needs to be thoroughly examined before you can decide on repair or replacement. It is easier to examine the flooring for damage as it would be clearly visible. You will see cracks or torn out segments of the flooring. Also evident will be the stress the existing flooring bears after every game with depressed sections and hairline fractures of the flooring. It would not be an understatement if you see these cracks to deteriorate into full-scale torn segments. Dugout flooring undergoes extreme pressure during the game due to heavy usage by players and auxiliary staff. It is thus a good idea if you consider replacing the existing dugout flooring instead of repairing it.

What to Replace with?
You will need a replacement material before planning about removing the existing dugout flooring. One thing is for sure though. You cannot install the same type of flooring again even if it is available at economical rates. You have experience of using the flooring material and it would be prudent if you look for something new. The encouraging fact is that you can now replace dugout flooring with rubber. It is now possible to install rubber floor tiles in dugouts due to improvement in design and simplification of installation procedures.

Selecting the Rubber
Rubber flooring is available in hundreds of designs and constructions. Some types of rubber floors are available in the form of tiles. Others come in the form of rolled rubber and can be spread out like carpet. The second option is considered better for dugouts as it can be installed with ease. All you need to do is to cut the rolled rubber floor according to specifications of the dugout and affix it to the surface with industrial glue. It will be up and ready for use in a few hours. Another advantage of rolled rubber is the thickness, which comes in significant diversity. You can choose a thick variety of rolled rubber so as to provide a smooth and stable surface to players and staff. You can also choose a relatively thinner variety if you do not desire the flooring to be dense.

You can also install interlocking rubber tiles in the dugout. They are installed in an easier way as you simply have to lock the tiles in place and attach them the floor with the help of industrial glue. There is not even a need of cutting the rubber to size as the tiles come in a foot-by-foot specification.