Written by Synthetic Editors on February 5, 2013

This article appeared in Issue 46 of Pitchcare Magazine

Did you know that there are more than 350 synthetic track and field tracks in the country that will face the harsh winter alone, and in many cases no one cares about them? To ensure that your track will not stop on the side of the road this winter, Polytan, a maintenance expert, technical surface and track expert, discussed with us the details of track construction and the steps you can take to maintain the track for next season. Be prepared.

For any school, institution, business organization or association, a full-scale sports facility is a huge capital commitment. Sadly, once installed, most tracks are at the mercy of the elements, and even the most basic maintenance plan is rarely or not considered. To understand the type of maintenance your track may require, it is best to explain the type of surface currently in use. Regardless of color combinations, there are only two basic synthetic track systems; porous and non-porous. Porous systems usually consist of two layers of synthetic material (except for prefabricated "unfolded" systems). The first layer is a 10-12 mm black rubber crumb porous substrate, and the top "wear-resistant layer" is usually sprayed on with a depth of 2-3 mm. It can be in various colors, but it is usually red. When laid under ideal conditions, the two layers will bond together to form a continuous surface. For this type of pavement, a drainage system is usually not required because the water will be dispersed throughout the track surface. Non-porous Currently available non-porous systems are divided into three types: The first type is sometimes called sandwich systems. This usually has a bottom similar to the bottom of the porous track to which an intermediate "sealing" layer is applied before the "top wear-resistant" layer is installed. Then, the sealing layer allows the top layer to be installed without losing too much material to the open base layer and maintaining a flat finish. The wear-resistant layer has all the necessary textures, but is ultimately non-porous, so drainage channels need to be installed on the inside or outside of the track to allow surface water to drain. The second category is solid polyurethane [PUR] systems. The system consists of a three-layer cast polyurethane resin into which rubber particles are injected to give its structure. The surface depth is generally 12-14mm. The top wear layer of this surface has an appearance similar to a sandwich system. The PUR track is one of the most durable of all systems. Type three is a kit system, which consists of a certain length of prefabricated track surface, usually one lane wide, and they are glued to the base of the apron. The system must be used carefully not to allow debris to collect in the many seams around the surface. In addition to surface problems that may cause damage to various surfaces due to careless use of machinery, most of the problems are caused by naturally occurring phenomena. The most common problem on the surface is the growth of weeds, grasses and moss in neglected track areas. During the service life of the system, cracks may appear between the surface and the inner and outer curbs, causing dirt, seeds, etc. to accumulate and breed. Once established, the root system will eventually weaken and destroy the edges, causing cracks to develop and rail edges to collapse. To avoid this, care must be taken to regularly clean and spray all edges around the track with herbicide. In a similar way, grass will try to grow in and around the landing pits where the jump runs. Likewise, regular cleaning and removal of early growth will ensure that sand does not accumulate on the edge of the curb and help avoid problems in the future. The textured track surface retains a bit of moisture, and in some places, if moss is allowed to thrive, it can become a special problem. It is recommended to use recognized moss inhibitors for regular treatment, if your orbital position is easily affected by moss growth, at least once a quarter. Track areas shaded by trees need to be cleaned frequently to prevent fallen leaves from rotting on the surface, and to seal porous tracks or create dangerous slippery areas on non-porous systems. If this material is left, it will darken the track, and the rotting leaves will promote the further growth of other plants. These areas may also have pools that, when it freezes in winter, will open the track surface and cause it to rupture over time. Another problem particularly related to non-porous tracks is that when debris accumulates in the drainage channels, they can be blocked and prevent the track from draining effectively, causing water accumulation problems and promoting the unnecessary growth of plant life. Taking all these factors into consideration, it is obvious that regular efforts will eliminate many causes of long-term orbit degradation, so more funds are needed for rectification. As a general rule, a comprehensive and professional deep cleaning of the track should be considered every three to four years, depending on the location of the track and the frequency of use. Some smaller tasks should also be considered in order to fully prepare for the winter runway, including: 1) ensuring that only “clean” sand is put back into the pit before covering; 2) removing the wooden takeoff boards from the runway and storing them Indoors 3) When possible, remove the landing pads and store them in a dry, safe storage area-rabbits, rats and mice like them to spend the winter inside 4) Watch out for any areas where water accumulates during summer 5) Check drainage The system is running clean and cleaned/cleaned where possible 6) Do not allow the last grass clippings left on the track to rot in winter 7) Ensure that all coverings can withstand potential winter winds and storms 8) Move all equipment to the storage area -When anything left moves at the beginning of the new season, the track surface is likely to leave shadows or rust (for example, obstacles and obstacles) 9) When possible, drain the obstacle course water jumps and isolate the feed Pipes/valves with waterproof material 10) If the curb is removable and made of aluminum, put it away (or risk losing it). Although it has nothing to do with the winter maintenance of the track, please note that you have When budget permits, do not mix surface types with DIY repairs, as this will cause long-term problems, especially when you use porous repairs to repair non-porous systems. This allows water to seep into the surface, and if the water freezes, it may cause further delamination and uplift of the surrounding track. If this happens, the cheap option at the beginning may cost more to correct it. Please pay attention to the severely worn areas on the track: start/finish line, throw end and jump run-up. If these areas show typical signs of wear (i.e., the black base layer is revealed), please carefully seek the advice of a registered installer/maintenance person, because the base material is much softer and degrades faster, which can lead to potential dangers for athletes. Try to encourage sports clubs to change the field of training. Convince them to avoid having "favorite" lanes and starting positions. Distribute the wear of the track as much as possible. All in all, although athletic tracks seem to require little maintenance, it is important to realize that they require attention throughout the year, including the winter months when usage is reduced. Closed tracks cost money, time, and inconvenience, and can be easily avoided through valuable maintenance programs.

www.technicalsurfaces.co.uk info@technicalsurfaces.co.uk Tel: 08702 400 700

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