Proper laundering will prolong the service life of rental mats by preventing the buildup of soil and soap residue. Depending upon type and quantity of soil, it may be necessary to adjust the formula shown below to increase break time, temperature or number of rinses to achieve desired results.

To prevent mat discoloration from dye cross staining, the following procedures should be followed:

• Launder dark mats separately from light colored mats.
• If mats are not separated into dark and light colors for washing, the maximum water temperature should be lowered to 100°F (38°C).
• Stained or heavily soiled mats can be washed at 140°F (60°C). Repeated laundering at this temperature can cause premature color loss and increase dye transfer. For more information, see Tech Tip 102.
• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Do not overdry mats.
• If mats are not dried, the final rinse should be raised to 120°F (49°C). This will reduce moisture retention following extraction.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Mats that are exposed to heavy soils, particularly oils and greases, may require additional cleaning. The formula shown below should only be used on heavy soils that cannot be removed using our recommended light soil formula (Tech Tip # 101).

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

To prevent mat discoloration from dye cross staining, the following procedures should be followed:

• Launder dark mats separately from light colored mats.
• Repeated laundering at this temperature can cause premature color loss and increase dye transfer.
• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non ionic detergent. 2-6 oz./100 # of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• If you use carry over break, reduce chemicals by 50%.
• Do not overdry mats.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

MasterWeave mats are most often used in light soil conditions, which minimizes the need for vigorous washing. For best results, use low water temperatures and mild detergents.

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Do not allow mats to remain wet and in contact with each other following washing. This can cause dye transfer from one mat to another
• Do not overdry mats.
• Customer experience has shown that certain logo mat colors that are in the light blue, silver and gray shades can discolor when laundered. This problem seems to vary depending upon local water conditions. Some customers have no problems in this area while others experience significant difficulties. To help prevent this discoloring, add 1/3 - 1/2 lb. sodium per carbonate or 5-10 fluid oz. hydrogen peroxide (35% active ingredients) per 100 pounds of mats being washed, during break cycle of the regular wash formula.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

ClassicSolutions, Solutions Plus and Classic Brush mats offer superior colorfastness for mats that are used in direct sunlight or laundered under high temperature, high pH washing conditions.

All solution dyed mats can be washed together. For best results Solution Dyed mats should not be washed with space dyed nylon mats.

For heavily soiled mats, break temperatures can be raised to 160ºF (71ºC).

*Caution: When drying mats made with solution dyed nylon yarn it is possible to melt the carpet surface. Be sure dryer temperatures do not exceed 180ºF (82ºC).

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Comfort Flow and Comfort Scrape™ mats are fully launderable mats that perform great as anti-fatigue and flow-through mats in both wet and dry environments. They are ideal for Value Lease applications and do not require aggressive wash procedures or drying. Comfort Flow mats can be washed periodically to remove oil, grease and soil. The formula shown below does not require extensive mechanical action. Its main purpose is to dissolve grease residue by using hot water to emulsify oils and grease.

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

SuperScrape™ mats and SuperScape Impressions logo mats are great at stopping dirt before it enters a building. These mats are ideal for Value Lease applications and do not require aggressive wash procedures or drying. SuperScrape mats can be washed periodically to remove soil. The formula shown below does not require extensive mechanical action.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Rotate wash wheel with drain valve in open position to allow excess water to drain off mats.
• Lay mats flat following removal from washer. Do not extract or dry these mats.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Proper laundering will prolong the service life of rental mats by preventing the buildup of soil and soap residue. Depending upon type and quantity of soil, it may be necessary to adjust the formula shown below to increase break time, temperature or number of rinses to achieve desired results.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Drying is normally not necessary. If there is excess lint on the carpet, simply tumble the mats for 5 minutes using the cool down cycle. No heat is necessary.
• Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. If fabric top then lay mats nap side down following removal from the washer. This will allow any water in the mats to drain out. When dry roll mats nap out for delivery.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Waterhog mats used in a “Value Lease” program may need occasional laundering. Although Waterhog mats are not designed for repeated commercial washings, occasional laundering may be done if care is used. The formula shown below is designed to “soak and float” soil away. It minimizes mechanical action in the wash cycle. Do not under-load wash loads, as under-loading will increase mechanical action and may cause damage to the mats. Always use high water levels to reduce mechanical action. Waterhog mats should not be washed more than once a quarter.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Do not overdry mats.
• Lay mats flat with carpet side down following removal from the washer. This will allow any water in the mats to drain out. When dry roll mats nap out for delivery.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Customer experience has shown that certain mat colors that are in the light blue, silver and gray shades can turn brown, yellow or green when laundered. This problem seems to vary depending upon local water conditions. Some customers have no problems in this area while others experience significant difficulties. The yellowing / discoloration is not unique to any particular manufacturer. While we have not been able to eliminate the problem, we do have a treatment that in most cases will at least partially reverse the problem.

The clean up formula shown below can be run as a separate formula assuming that all mats are clean. This formula also could be run as part of a normal wash formula with step 2 added following the first rinse after the break of a standard wash formula.

Maintenance: To keep mats from discoloring, add 1/3 - 1/2 lb. sodium per carbonate or 5-10 fluid oz. hydrogen peroxide (35% active ingredients) per 100 weight of mats being washed during break cycle of the regular wash formula.

Safety Note - Hydrogen Peroxide is an oxidizing agent. It can cause spontaneous combustion if it comes in contact with wood, leather or other organic materials. Be sure to use appropriate protective safety equipment. Observe all manufacturers’ safety precautions.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Computuft logo mats, ClassicSolutions mats, Solutions Plus mats and Classic Brush mats are made of 100% Solution Dyed Nylon Yarn. Because of this they have excellent colorfastness when exposed to bleach, high temperature high pH laundering, and direct sunlight. Should your Solution Dyed mats become dull and dingy due to soil buildup or dye redeposition the following clean up formula can be used. This formula should not be used on any non-solution dyed mats. Also this formula should not be used as a daily wash formula. Repeated exposure to high temperatures and chlorine bleach can damage the yarn and/rubber backing.

*Caution: It is essential to use an antichlor in the final rinse to stop the activity of the chlorine in the bleach. Failure to use antichlor will cause damage to the Solution Dyed Nylon carpet yarn.

The success of this clean up formula is dependent on the severity of the cross stain and the condition of the carpet fibers. Old mats that have been stained for a long period of time will not clean up as well as mats that were recently stained.

In cases where staining is severe the bath temperature can be increased to 180°F (82°C) and the break time extended to 40 minutes. These measures should be used as a last resort as there is potential to damage the carpet fibers when using these higher temperatures and longer break times.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Many customers are choosing to eliminate drying as part of their normal mat processing. Although there are benefits to not drying, such as reducing costs, reduced handling and labor expenses as well as freeing up needed dryer capacity, there are also disadvantages. Some of these are that some mats go out wet; sand and grit are left in the mats and at times mats can develop odors. In order to produce the best quality mat, Mountville Mills recommends a short drying cycle. Tech Tips 101 - 102 - 103, which provide recommended wash formulas for carpet topped mats, all include a 5-10 minute drying and 5 minute cool down cycle.

Proper laundering will prolong the service life of rental mats by preventing the buildup of soil and soap residue. Depending upon type and quantity of soil, it may be necessary to adjust the formula shown below to increase break time, temperature or number of rinses to achieve desired results.

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

• Stained or heavily soiled mats can be washed at 140ºF (60ºC). Repeated laundering at this temperature can cause premature color loss.
• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• To prevent pilling on other mats ActionMats should not be washed with mats made of Nylon or other synthetic carpet yarns.
• Insure that cotton mats are thoroughly dried to prevent mildew from forming in the cotton yarn.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Proper laundering will prolong the service life of Restroom Services mats by preventing the buildup of soil and soap residue. It may be necessary to adjust the formula shown below to increase break time, temperature or number of rinses to achieve desired results. For sanitary purposes we recommend the break temperature be maintained at 140degrees. Do not wash Restroom Services mats with cleated general use mats as this may cause pilling of the fabric surface.

Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. Allow mats to cool before rolling. Roll mats nap out for delivery.

• Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.
• Drying is normally not necessary. If there is excess lint on the carpet, simply tumble the mats for 5 minutes using the cool down cycle. No heat is necessary.
• Lay mats flat following removal from washer or dryer. If fabric top then lay mats nap side down following removal from the washer. This will allow any water in the mats to drain out. When dry roll mats nap out for delivery.

Some laundries have had questions regarding the handling of Restroom Service mats. Based on our research, we do not believe that any special handling is required to distribute, process or store these products. We do recommend using latex gloves to minimize exposure.

Question: Is there determination of “Occupational Exposure to Bloodborne Pathogens” based on the fluids of “Universal Precautions” (blood, semen, vaginal secretions, cerebrospinal fluid, synovial fluid, pleural fluid, peritoneal fluid, pericardial fluid, saliva in dental procedures and amniotic fluid) or does “occupational exposure” also encompass other body fluids (urine, feces, sweat, tears, nasal, secretions and vomitus) which may, or may not, be visibly contaminated with blood?

Answer: According to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Occupational Exposure is defined in the standard as reasonably anticipated skin, eye, mucous membrane, or parenteral contact with blood or other potentially infectious materials that may result from the performance of an employee’s duties. The definition of “other potentially infectious materials” includes any body fluid that is visibly contaminated with blood. Urine, feces, sweat, tears, nasal secretions, and vomitus, which are not visibly contaminated with blood, are not considered to be “other potentially infectious materials”.

Question: Does OSHA interpret hotel/motel room attendants, maids or housekeepers (who clean rooms, strip beds and pick-up soiled/wet linen and towels, etc.) to have “Occupational Exposure?”

Answer: While OSHA does not generally consider housekeeping staff in non-health care facilities to have Occupational Exposure, it is the employer’s responsibility to determine which job classifications or specific tasks and procedures involve reasonably anticipated contact with blood or other potential infectious materials.

OSHA’s Bloodborne Pathogens Standard, 29 CFR 1010.1030, lists a number of body fluids, in addition to blood, that are reasonably likely to transmit bloodborne pathogens. Under these guidelines, urine is not classified as a body fluid that could reasonably transmit bloodborne pathogens. In order for urine to be classifieds as potentially infectious, blood must be visibly present.

Conclusion: We recommend that Route Service Personnel wear latex gloves to minimize any contact with possible contaminants while delivering Restroom Service Mats. If there are no visible signs of blood contamination, employees assigned the tasks of handling such items are not “Occupationally Exposed”.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Grand Impressions Logo mats are not designed for commercial laundering. Doing so may cause the backing and binding to fail. Grand Impressions mats should be vacuumed regularly to prevent soil buildup. If these mats become soiled they should be cleaned using traditional carpet cleaning procedures or they may be washed with a garden hose and hung to dry.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

The first truly “Laundry Friendly” Complete Comfort anti-fatigue mat from Mountville Mills features a closed-cell nitrile foam construction that is completely launderable. The anti-microbial treated, slip-resistant surface is grease, oil and chemical resistant, making it perfect for any application. Complete Comfort mats can be washed periodically to remove oil, grease and soil. The formula shown below does not require extensive mechanical action. Its main purpose is to dissolve grease residue by using hot water to emulsify oils and grease.

Lay mats flat following removal from washer. Complete Comfort mats do not require extracting or drying. Allow mats to cool before rolling.

Do not use high pH detergents, alkali or solvents. The break should not exceed a pH of 9.5. Use a low pH non-ionic detergent. 2-4 oz./ 100# of mats. Consult with your chemical supplier for exact amounts.

It is possible to extend the life of faded/obsolete/discolored nylon mats by using the following dye formula. The best over dye color to use is Charcoal (Black) because it covers all nylon mat colors. It also produces the most consistent finished mat color. Other colors are essentially touch up colors.

Available Dye Kits:

Dye kits are available in 100 lb, 200 lb and 400 lb kits. The dye kits contain all necessary materials to overdye/touch up 100 lbs, 200 lbs or 400 lbs of mats. Dye kits only work on mats made with nylon yarn. Results from dye kits will vary depending upon shades of mats being redyed. Mountville cannot accept responsibility for replacement of mats due to off shade results.

For shipping purposes dye kits are double bagged to prevent spillage. Beginning 1/28/04 the inner bag of each dye kit is a water-soluble bag. These bags are opaque, about the size of a laundry bag and have a red plastic tie. These bags may be placed directly in the washer without removing the dye from the bag. We recommend the following procedures to restore the mats to a good wash fast shade:

• Load 100 lbs, 200 lbs, or 400 lbs. of mats into the washer. Mats should be very clean to insure proper dyeing results. If necessary, clean mats using a high pH detergent at 140ºF. Rinse thoroughly before running the over dye procedure.
• Remove the dye kit from the outer plastic bag. Place the dye kit in the washer.
• Fill washer with cold water to low medium water level – level will depend upon the quantity of mats being dyed. Run for 3-4 minutes.
• Add steam to raise water temperature to 190° - 195° F over a 20-minute period.
• Run for 15 minutes. Maintain temperature at 190° - 195° F.
• Dump bath and rinse in 140° F water for 3 minutes.
• Rinse in cold water for 5 minutes.
• Extract and dry mats using normal procedures
• When overdyeing logo mats, it may be necessary to use extra dye kits to over logo colors.

Caution: Mats that have been overdyed should not be washed with Solution Dyed Nylon mats, as the Solution Dyed mats are likely to pick up color from the overdyed mats.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

During customer use and in plant processing, mats can become ripped, cut or torn. Mats that have not been too seriously damaged can be repaired. Cuts and tears are usually the result of customer abuse or may occur during processing. If cuts and tears seem excessive, contact Mountville Mills for technical assistance or refer to Mountville's trouble shooting guide. Mat repairs can be performed in either of two processes: (1) Cold Patch repair (Tech Tip 202) or Heat Seal repair (Tech Tip 203).

Mat Repair Process

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
A. Materials supplied in repair kit:

Depending on length of tears, there should be sufficient materials to repair 10 - 20 mats.

• One 1 oz bottle Superbonder #420 Glue
• Two Rolls, mat repair rubber

B. Materials supplied by user:

• Protective Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Wire Brush
• Heavy weight, such as brick or concrete block.

CAUTION:

Superbonder #420 is an extremely fast drying glue. It is capable of gluing fingers together or gluing fingers to mats being repaired. Be sure to use protective rubber gloves. Observe all safety precautions listed on the label of the glue bottle.

Do not leave top off the bottle. Glue will harden very quickly and become unusable. Do not store glue in warm area. Storage in a refrigerator will extend shelf life of the glue.

TIPS:

• If mats being repaired do not have Cleats, glue flat side of repair rubber to the repaired mat. Repair rubber without Cleats is also available from Mountville Mills.
• Rounding corner of repair rubber prior to gluing will help extend the life of the repair. This helps prevent the corners from catching on other mats as they are tumbling in washers and dryers.

Repair Procedure

• Carefully sort mats to be repaired. Be sure mats to be repaired are clean. Mats with tears longer than 12" are not recommended for repairs.
• Place mat on a flat surface, rubber side up.
• Using the wire brush, buff the area around the tear.
• Cut a strip of repair rubber slightly longer than the tear to be repaired.
• Carefully place the edges of the tear together so that they do not bulge or pucker. If the tear extends to the border, be sure that the edges of the border meet evenly. It may help to "spot glue" the edges together on longer tears or at the border to insure the edges remain in proper position.
• Position the repair strip on top of the tear. Keep the strip centered over the tear as much as possible. Beginning at one end, glue a small area (approx. 1") of the repair rubber to the mat. Apply glue sparingly. Using the handle of the wire brush, press the repair rubber down for a few seconds and then release. Repeat over all areas where the glue was applied. Continue until you can feel the glue has hardened - approximately 30 seconds. Repeat until the repair is complete.
• When the repair is completed, check edges to be sure all edges are securely glued down.
• Place weight on top of repaired area. Allow to sit for 10-15 minutes.
• Inspect the mat to be sure mat lays flat and does not create a tripping hazard.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

During customer use and in plant processing, mats can become ripped, cut or torn. Mats that have not been too seriously damaged can be repaired. Cuts and tears are usually the result of customer abuse or may occur during processing. If cuts and tears seem excessive, contact Mountville Mills for technical assistance or refer to Mountville's trouble shooting guide. Mat repairs can be performed in either of two processes: (1) Cold Patch repair (Tech Tip 202) or Heat Seal repair (Tech Tip 203).

Materials Required

• Electric grinder with coarse disc or electric drill with wire brush
• Non-stick Teflon coated fabric
• Uncured repair rubber
• Heat seal unit with minimum 5 minute cycle time
• Scissors
• Gloves
• Face Shield
• Dust Mask

Repair Procedure

• Inspect mats to insure suitability for repair. Discard mats with numerous tears, excessively large tears, etc.
• Use grinder or drill to buff rubber surface. If mats are cleated, remove all cleats in area to be covered with repair rubber.
• Set heat seal timer to 5 minutes. Temperature should be 400ºF (200ºC). Air pressure should be at the maximum (app. 80 psi) setting.
• Cut rubber to proper size. Remove plastic backing.
• Apply rubber to repair area
• Place mat in heat seal unit. Cover repair with Teflon fabric to protect heat seal heads. Be sure rubber side of mat faces heated platen.
• Cook for 5 minutes
• Allow the repaired mat to cool
• Trim excess rubber from edge of the mat

Note: Keep uncured rubber refrigerated to prevent pre-curing of rubber.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

There are two procedures to add labels to mats. These are: 1) Heat Seal-with Uncured Rubber and 2) Heat Seal-without Uncured Rubber. Both processes allow laundries to add labels to their existing mat inventory. However, labels applied with the Heat Seal Process with uncured rubber produces a more permanent result. Below are instructions for both procedures.

Requirements

Materials:

• Labels(available from Mountville Mills)
• Uncured rubber(available from Mountville Mills)
• Indelible ink marking pen

Equipment:

• Heat Seal Machine*
• Grinder with wire brush attached
• Teflon coated fabric

*Labeling was done using a NatMar Mat Master mat repair press. However any type heat seal machine capable of meeting the time and temperature requirements should work.

Heat Seal Process-with uncured rubber

• Buff off the area where the labels are to be applied so you have a smooth surface. If the mat is cleated, be sure to remove all cleats. With smooth backed mats it is also necessary to buff the rubber to improve the bond between the label and the rubber. Use care not to be too aggressive in grinding the rubber backing as you may grind through the rubber backing, damaging the mat.
• Set your heat seal machine to full air pressure (80 psi is desirable) and 350 degree temperature.
• Remove the white label from its paper backing.
• Using a black indelible ink-marking pen, mark the white label as needed. Doing this before the label is vulcanized to the rubber backing makes the ink of the marking pen more permanent.
• Place the mat in the heat seal machine with the buffed rubber area in the middle.
• Cut and place in the middle of the buffed area a piece of black uncured rubber that is slightly larger than the label being applied. Remove the plastic backing from the rubber.
• Place the label on the uncured rubber.
• Cover the label and the entire repair area with a piece of Teflon Coated fabric.
• Close the heat seal machine and allow the label and rubber to cook for 8 minutes.
• When the cook cycle is completed, allow the mat to cool before handling.

Heat Seal Process-without uncured rubber

The Heat Seal Process without uncured rubber is very similar to the Heat Seal Process with uncured rubber. The only difference is that you omit the use of the uncured rubber. (See step 6 above) and you reduce the cook cycle time (See step 9 above) from 8 minutes to 2 minutes.

Our experience has shown the Heat Seal Process with uncured rubber to be more permanent than the Heat Seal Process without uncured rubber. In our testing of the Heat Seal Process using uncured rubber, labels have lasted over 100 wash cycles. Normally heat-sealed labels without uncured rubber begin to fail after 40-50 wash cycles.

The setup and effectiveness of heat seal equipment can vary widely depending on available air pressure and the heat produced by the individual machine. Because of this, we recommend that laundries thoroughly wash test several samples before undertaking a large relabeling program.

Should you require labeling materials, additional information, or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Mountville Mills’ mats can be retrofitted with R/F chips. This can be done using a cold patch, glue on procedure or a hot patch heat seal process. Both procedures are described below:

COLD PATCH PROCEDURE

Materials Required:

• Super bonder #380 Glue
• R/F chips
• R/F chip covers
• Protective Gloves
• Safety Glasses
• Small Electric Grinder with 4” sanding disc
• Spring loaded squeeze clamp with plastic covered jaws large enough to cover entire chip cover. These clamps are typically available at local hardware stores.

Caution

Superbonder #380 is a medium to fast drying glue. It is capable of gluing fingers together or gluing fingers to mats being repaired. Be sure to use proper protective gloves. Observe all safety precautions listed on the label of the glue bottle. Do not leave top off the bottle. Glue will harden very quickly and become unusable. Do not store glue in warm area. Storage in a refrigerator will extend shelf life of the glue.

Procedure

• Place mat on a flat surface, rubber side up.
• Buff a small round area slightly larger than the R/F Chip patch.
• Place a small drop of glue in the middle of the black side of the patch. Place the chip on the glue and allow the glue to dry.
• Place glue between the chip and the outer edge of the patch. Use enough glue to lightly coat the patch.
• Place the patch with the glue and chip side down in the middle of the buffed area.Press down on the R/F chip patch and rotate the chip clockwise then counterclockwise until a small bead of glue can be seen at the edge of the patch. If bead does not show remove patch and add more glue.
• Press down on the R/F chip patch and rotate the chip clockwise then counterclockwise until a small bead of glue can be seen at the edge of the patch. If bead does not show remove patch and add more glue.
• Clamp patch using the spring-loaded clamp. Allow to dry for 10 minutes.
• Inspect the patch to be sure the patch is sealed on all sides and that the mat lies flat and does not create a tripping hazard.

Should you require additional information, or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

To aid in proper loading of equipment for laundering and dyeing purposes, it is necessary to know mat sizes and weights. The chart below lists approximate mat sizes and weights. Due to manufacturing tolerances, these figures can vary from mat to mat.

For special size mats, an approximate weight can be calculated by multiplying the total square footage of the mats times .5 lbs. For metric, multiply square meters times 2.3 kg.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

Mountville Mills’ carpet and fabric-topped mats are constructed to provide protection against static electricity. The products shown below have been tested for their Electro Static Discharge (ESD) properties. The products tested and the test results for those products are shown below.

Products Covered – ClassicMats™, ClassicCarpets™, ClassicCreations™ logo mats, Message mats ClassicSolutions™, SolutionsPlus™, CompuTuft™ Solution Dyed logo mats, DirtStopper™ and MicroGuard™ mats and Classic Brush mats.

Test Procedure: AATCC Test Method #134 Electrostatic Propensity Test

Products Covered – AirFlex™ Fabric Top anti-fatigue mats

Test Procedure: AATCC Test Method #134 Electrostatic Propensity Test

Products Covered – WaterHog mats

Test Procedure: AATCC Test Method #134 Electrostatic Propensity Test

Products Covered – Comfort Flow and Comfort Scrape Mats

Test Procedure: AATCC Test Method #134 Electrostatic Propensity Test

Should you require additional information, or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

For quality control purposes all mats are date coded at time of manufacture. Date codes are located on the back of each mat.

Effective March 1, 2000 new date codes were implemented. This was done to make it easier for customers to read the date code, make it easier to identify mats by size and to improve Quality Assurance. To read date codes of mats made after March 1, 2000 use the following example:

For a 3’ x 10’, mat made in March 2000 the date code would read: MAR OO A1 BP

Each part of the date code represents the following:

There is a size label placed in opposite corners of each mat to aid in size identification. The above date code is placed next to one of these size labels.

To interpret date codes for mats made prior to March 2000 use the following example. A 3' x 10' mat made in November 1996 would have the following date code: 6116.A1. Each digit in the date code represents the following:

• 6: The first number is for the mat size. Below is a chart showing size codes.
• 116: The second, third and fourth digits show month and year of manufacture. 11 = November, 6 = 1996.
• A1: The final two digits, always a letter (A-F) and a number (1,2, or 3), indicate which press and shift on which the mat was produced. In this case, Press A on First shift.

Size Code

• 1: 2' x 3' (61 cm x 89cm)
• 2: 2½ x 3' (79cm x 89cm)
• 3: 2½ x 4' (79cm x 114cm)
• 4: 3' x 4' (89cm x 119cm)
• 5: 3' x 5' (89cm x 150cm)
• 6: 3' x 10' (89cm x 302cm)
• 7: 4' x 6' (114cm x 175cm)
• 8: 4' x 8' (114cm x 241cm)

For sizes other than the sizes listed above, the actual mat size is printed in place of the size code.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

From time to time customers complain that mats cause the floors beneath them to discolor. This complaint has applied both to carpet and hard surface floors such as vinyl or tile. The discoloration is usually a yellow or brown color. The points below discuss some possible causes for these complaints.

1. Moisture

• Moisture from the ground comes up through the floor until it reaches the floor surface. This moisture normally evaporates and goes unnoticed. Placement of a mat on the floor prevents the evaporation, therefore trapping the moisture, thus causing the discoloration. This seems to be most common at entrances where cold or warm air enters the building when the door is opened causing condensation (sweating).
• Placement of mats on freshly cleaned and still damp carpet. This prevents carpet from fully drying, thereby causing discoloration.
• Moisture from the back of mats. If not properly dried, the back of mats can be damp, thereby providing moisture to cause discoloration.
• Moisture leaks through perforations in the rubber backing. As mats age, perforations increase in size. Larger perforations can develop into slits large enough to allow moisture to pass through the backing thereby causing discoloration.

2. Chemicals

• Yellowing can occur on a VCT (vinyl composition tile) or resilient floor. The best explanation for this is that the yellowing comes from chemicals that are in the floor that migrate to the surface over time. These chemicals are generally very small molecules that move within the molecular structure of the synthetic VCT or resilient tile. Due to their very small size they have the ability to move around and work their way to the surface. Upon reaching the surface they are exposed to light, and air and normally will either vaporize or fade becoming unnoticed to the casual observer. If they are kept from exposure to light or air, they turn yellow with age. Evidence of this explanation can be seen in supermarket and large department stores where yellowed areas can be seen on the VCT floor where display counters and checkout lines have been moved. If mats cause the yellowing, whey then would there be yellowing in these areas where no mats have been used?

Once a floor becomes yellowed it can be difficult to remove the yellowing. Depending on the type of floor affected it may be possible to reduce or remove the yellowing by cleaning and waxing hard surface floors or contracting with a professional carpet cleaner on carpeted floors.

In most instances where mats are placed on floors and discoloration results, the customer is faced with a difficult decision. Use no mat and the floor doesn’t discolor, however, the floor is damaged by tracked in soils, moisture and dirt, and the entire area deteriorates. Or use a mat and protect the floor with resulting discoloration in the area underneath the mat. Of the two, most customers select the latter.

Corrective actions.

Discoloration can usually be removed by stripping and rewaxing. In the case of carpet, professional carpet cleaning is usually required.

Should you require additional information or if Mountville can be of further assistance, please call us at 1-800-241-5549 or 1-706-882-2961.

• Management should set a Merchandise Replacement Cost range for each location. This range insures that a location purchases enough mats to maintain good quality mats and prevents costs from being excessive. Dividing the total dollar purchases of mats by the total mat revenue for the location derives this percentage. For example, if a location purchases $15,000 of mats in a quarter and has mat rental revenues of $175,000, the merchandise replacement cost is 8.6%. For an established location the typical merchandise replace cost ranges between 8 – 10%.
• All mats should be washed and dried according to existing washing and drying formulas.
• Inspect all mats, and maintain a log of the mats that do not meet acceptable standards based on the following:
  • Spot color loss
  • Stains and blemishes
  • Ripples
  • Border and body tears on the rubber side of the mat.
  • Loss of carpet fibers – worn out mats
• The following corrective action will be taken on all mats inspected that do not meet acceptable standards:
  • Spot color loss.
    • Record the manufacturing date code listed on the rubber side of the mat.
    • Note any increases in the numbers of mats with color loss within any particular color and size. Report to Production Management immediately.
    • Hold separate for overdyeing.
  • Stains and blemishes.
    • Record the manufacturing date code listed on the rubber side of the mat.
    • Hold separate for rewash or overdyeing as directed by the Production Manager.
    • If the mat is to be rewashed, do so with the Heavy Wash Formula.
  • Ripples
    • Record the manufacturing date code listed on the rubber side of the mat.
    • Hold the mat separate for Production Management inspection to determine if the rippling requires scrapping the mat.
    • If the mat is to be scrapped, immediately cut off the corner label or other property marking and discard the mat as directed by Production Management.
  • Border and body tears on the rubber side of the mat.
    • Record the manufacturing date code listed on the rubber side of the mat.
    • Bring major changes in quantity of repairs to the attention of Production Management immediately.
    • Hold separate for in-plant repair.
  • Loss of carpet fibers – worn out mats
    • Record the manufacturing date code listed on the rubber side of the mat.
    • If the mat is to be scrapped, immediately cut off the corner label or other property marking and discard the mat as directed by Management.
• Overdyeing of mats that are stained, blemished or with obsolete colors or logos should be scheduled as soon as the inventory is large enough for a dyeing cycle.
• All mat repairs will be made on the heat seal machine.
• Inspect mat logs for any unusual increases in the number of mats with unusual wear and tear. Monitor increases in spot color loss, stains and blemishes, ripples, rubber tears and carpet loss.
• Isolate the root cause of the damaged mats and take corrective action.

Contact Mountville Mills immediately for any technical or trouble shooting input. Hold aside those mats that may require Mountville’s inspection.