How to Train Your Summer Staff to Protect Your Gym Floor

Summer brings camps, rentals, temporary staff and custodial turnover. Even the highest quality maple athletic floor can be damaged quickly when new team members are not trained on proper care. A few minutes of instruction can prevent moisture issues, scratches and traction problems that often appear during the busiest months of the year.

Training your summer staff is one of the most effective ways to protect your floor and maintain the performance standards recommended by the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association. With the right guidance, your team can prevent the most common forms of seasonal damage and keep your facility safe for athletes and guests.

Teach the Basics of Daily Floor Protection

New staff should understand the essential habits that keep a maple sports floor performing at its best. These fundamentals align with MFMA recommendations and the daily care practices Atlantic Sport Floors teaches facility teams across the Northeast.

• Keep exterior doors closed to prevent humid air from entering the gym
• Remove wet mats or towels immediately to stop moisture from sitting on the floor
• Never use auto scrubbers or water based cleaning equipment which introduce excess moisture
• Use only MFMA approved cleaning products to maintain proper traction and finish integrity

These simple habits prevent the most common summer damage and help maintain the consistent environment that maple flooring requires.

Show Staff Where Moisture Risks Hide

Moisture is the leading cause of summer floor problems. It often enters the gym from nearby spaces that staff may overlook.

• Locker rooms and pool areas
• Storage rooms with poor ventilation
• Entryways with damp mats
• HVAC vents that cycle too aggressively

A quick walkthrough each morning helps staff catch issues early. MFMA notes that maple flooring absorbs moisture from the air, which can lead to cupping, soft spots and traction loss if humidity is not controlled.

Set Clear Rules for Camps and Rentals

Summer programming brings heavy traffic and a wide range of users. Clear expectations reduce accidental damage and help temporary staff enforce consistent standards.

• No food or drinks on the floor
• No dragging equipment
• No taping lines with non approved tape
• Immediate cleanup of spills

These rules protect the finish, prevent scratches and reduce the risk of moisture related issues that can appear quickly during high use periods.

Equip Your Team With the Right Tools

Your floor is one of your facility’s most valuable assets. A few minutes of training equips your summer staff to protect it with confidence and consistency. Atlantic Sport Floors provides guidance based on MFMA standards and decades of experience installing and maintaining maple athletic floors.

To make training easier, give your team a resource they can reference throughout the season.

Download the Floor Care Quick Guide

Give your staff the training they need to protect your floor all summer.

Download the Floor Care Quick Guide

✅ Call us direct at 845-268-2565.