Rubber Stone has numerous benefits, however, like everything there are limitations. Various factors play a role in the limitations of Rubber Stone such as:
- UV Exposure (sun)
- Dust & Debris
- Vegetation – Rubber Stone is porous so it is possible for weeds or other vegetation to grow through or within the rubber if not maintained properly.
- Chlorine / Chemically Treated Water / Hard Water
- High Traffic (specifically vehicle tire marks) – for commercial areas foot traffic
Please read the following to help address any concerns or questions you may have regarding your Rubber Stone surface.
UV Exposure (sun)
We all love the Valley of the Sun, otherwise we wouldn’t be living here. As Arizona residents we know the sun here is extremely harsh. Arizona has the most cloud free days out of any state in the U.S and is only 2,300 miles from the equator. Meaning there are not only more days we Arizonans are exposed to UV rays but there is less atmosphere those rays have to travel through, resulting in some of the harshest ray exposure in the world. With this in mind know there are a few things you are going to see occur with your Rubber Stone as a result of the sun:
It is going to get hot on HOT days
Rubber Stone is not a self cooling product and when the atmospheric temperature is over 100 degrees any surface is going to match that temperature and be higher than that temperature if exposed to direct sunlight. BUT don’t worry, the reason we love and value Rubber Stone is due to its porosity. Because it is porous, simply spraying the surface down with water will hold water within the surface longer than flat/slick surfaces and create better airflow resulting in a cooler to the touch and more comfortable surface temperature than traditional pavers, flagstone, cement or cool decking
It is going to fade over time
As much as we would love to keep the bright and new appearance, it is unrealistic. EPDM Rubber is the most UV stable rubber on the market, however, it is not UV PROOF (nothing out there is). So expect gradual fading to take place and know that this fading will not occur evenly. Keep in mind the darker the color choice the more noticeable the fading will be. Re-rolls with our clear binding agent are encouraged to take place every 3-5 years depending on the amount of sun exposure your particular area has. Re-rolls help uphold the integrity of the surface (over time UV breaks down the polyurethane binding agent and pieces of rubber can begin the shed) and brings life back to the surface appearance.
Dust and Debri
Surfaces can appear dirty/discolored. Rubber Stone is not a self cleaning product and the best way to clean off loose debris and dirt is by either using a leaf blower to blow the debris away or simply hosing the surface off with a high pressure nozzle. We highly recommend a power wash at least twice a year. If necessary a non acidic cleaning agent or degreaser may be used to wash the surface. Nylon bristled brushes may be used to agitate any stuck on debris. Keep in mind we live in a desert environment so dust is going to be EVERYWHERE especially present on outside surfaces. The lighter the color the more noticeable dust and dirt may be.
Vegetation
Rubber Stone is porous so it is possible for weeds or other vegetation to grow through or within the rubber if not maintained properly. If you were previously experiencing vegetation growth it is likely that vegetation growth will occur in those same areas over time after Rubber Stone has been installed due to the porous nature of Rubber Stone. Making sure to remove the vegetation properly prior to installation is essential to making sure regrowth does not occur. However, if growth does occur using a weed control agent or manually removing the vegetation will easily solve the issue. With weed control agents it is important to make sure no dyes are present in the agent and to not overdo the application.
Chlorine / Chemically Treated Water / Hard Water
Chlorine, chemically treated water, salt water pools, and hard water all play a role in the appearance of a white haze on the Rubber Stone surface. This is due to water being rich in these minerals and then evaporating leaving only the minerals behind to sit on top of the pool deck surface after getting in and out of the pool/spa or if watering potted plants that are located on a patio, front entry or walkway. There are a few ways to help maintain the white haze. One is by making sure pool/spa chemicals are balanced properly if your area is a pool or spa deck. Secondly, by cleaning the deck surface regularly to eliminate build up on the surface due to mineral deposits. Use a non acidic cleaning agent or degreaser to wash the surface. Nylon bristled brushes may be used to agitate any mineral deposits.
High Traffic Areas
Areas with frequent foot traffic or tire traffic are inevitably going to show dirt and debris build up. Tires specifically, due to the rubber on rubber grip and black color in nature of tires, are going to show marks upon the Rubber Stone surface. Cleaning the surface with a non acidic cleaning agent or degreaser and using a nylon bristle brush will help to remove dirt, debris and tire marks. Keep in mind darker colors tend to hide “dirty” appearances better than lighter colors.