Rubber Stone General Care & Maintenance (Updated March 2019)

Rubber Stone General Care & Maintenance (Updated March 2019)

General Care & Routine Maintenance

Rubber Stone surfacing has many benefits when installed correctly, and we want you to be able to take advantage of those benefits as long as you own the product. However, that means you need to keep your Rubber Stone surfacing as near to installation-quality as possible. The presence of foreign objects and deposits such as tree sap, chewing gum, bird droppings, tar, urine, gasoline, oil, grease, and other products can have a permanent impact on your surface, so prompt maintenance is important. The following guidelines will help you keep your Rubber Stone surface in peak condition for years to come!

1. Keep Loose Debris Off the Surface: 

Loose debris such as sand, dirt, and stones on top of the surface can produce slip hazards, as well as increase wear & tear on the surface and shorten its life. Fine particles can also accumulate in pours of your Rubber Stone surface and prevent the surface from draining properly, as can matting materials such as leaf litter. We recommend that loose debris be removed on a regular basis. A dry sweep or scrub will remove surface debris, but it can also force material into the pours of the Rubber Stone.

The best method of cleaning is using a vacuum, although a high-pressure washer (with a maximum pressure of 4,000 psi) may also be used with appropriate caution.

2. Remove Bird Droppings or Other Excrement: 

To remove bird droppings and other excrement from your Rubber Stone surface, scrub deposits with dampened Bon Ami™, Borax™ or STPP, then rinse with a Borax™ or STPP solution. Remaining residue should be soaked up using disposable cloths, and then the area must be disinfected. Disinfect by spraying hydrogen peroxide on affected area, and let stand for at least 2 minutes. Then spray the area with vinegar and let stand for an additional 2 minutes. Remaining residue should be soaked up with disposable cloths and the area double rinsed with clean water.

3. Remove Stains Promptly:

Your Rubber Stone surface can be stained by a variety of different sources and substances, and it’s important to remove stains promptly to prevent the stain from becoming permanent. Treatments for the most common stains are listed below.

      A) Chlorine Stains or Deposits

Chlorine deposits often occur around pools, hot tubs, and waterplay areas. These deposits should be removed regularly to keep them from being ground into the rubber surface. 
Contact your nearest Rubber Stone dealer for our Sierra Stone & Rubber Stone Chlorine Cleaner. 
Follow the instructions and safety precautions on the label. Simply spray the cleaner onto the surface, scrub the area with a stiff-bristled broom or brush, then rinse lightly. Repeat as necessary.

      B) Calcium, Efflorescence & Other Hard Mineral Deposits 

 Like chlorine deposits, calcium & other hard mineral deposits should be removed regularly to ensure the minerals are not ground into the rubber surface. Much like the windows on your home, calcium and mineral deposits can build up on the rubber surface due to hard water, rain water, or the evaporation of ground water containing efflorescence and other minerals.
Contact your nearest Rubber Stone dealer for our Sierra Stone & Rubber Stone Calcium Remover. 
Simply spray the cleaner onto the surface, scrub the area with a stiff-bristled broom or brush, then rinse thoroughly. Repeat as necessary.
Use this product with extreme care or have it applied by a qualified professional. This cleaner will erode existing concrete surfaces it not rinsed properly.

      C) Blood Stains

Blood stains must be disinfected by spraying hydrogen peroxide on affected area, then let stand for at least 2 minutes. Then spray again with vinegar and let stand for an additional 2 minutes. Any remaining residue must be soaked up with disposable cloths, and the affected area double rinsed with clean water.

      D) Chewing Gum

To remove chewing gum, apply dry ice to freeze the gum, then chip it from the surface and remove it.
DO NOT use a “HOT SPOT” steam unit, as this will cause damage to the surface.

      E) Grass Stains

For grass stain removal apply orange oil cleaner and scrub the area with a medium-bristled brush. Soak up the solution with disposable cloths and double rinse with clean water.

      F) Scuff Marks

Scrub the affected area with dampened Bon Ami™, Borax™, or STPP, then double rinse with clean water.

      G) Tar / Crayon / Lipstick / Tree Sap / Motor Oil / Grease 

For the tough stains listed above apply one or more of the following: orange oil cleaner, Goop™, or Formula 407™. Scrub with a medium-bristled brush and soak up the remaining cleaner with disposable cloths. Then, scrub the area with dampened Bon Ami™, Borax™ or STPP and double rinse with clean water.

4. Clean Up Spills as Soon as Possible: 

Although spills often don’t appear to be as harsh as stains, the porous nature of your Rubber Stone surface means they need to be given prompt attention. Some spills could breed bacteria if they are ignored. Below are some helpful tips for dealing with some of the more common spills.

      A) Soda or Juice 

For spills from juice and soda or other carbonated products, saturate the area with Formula 407™. Scrub the area with a medium-bristled brush and soak up the remaining solution with disposable cloths. Then, wash with a liquid detergent, Borax™ or STPP solution. Finally, double rinse the area with clean water.

      B) Gasoline 

For spilled gasoline, wash the area with a detergent and water, soak up the solution with disposable cloths, and double rinse with clean water.

      C) Urine / Vomit / Nasal Discharge 

For stains resulting from bodily fluids, wear disposable gloves for cleaning. Wash the area with a Borax™ or STPP solution and soak up residue with disposable cloths. Then, disinfect the area by spraying on hydrogen peroxide and let stand for at least 2 minutes. Follow by spraying again with vinegar, then let stand for an additional 2 minutes. Remaining liquid should be soaked up with disposable cloths, and the area double rinsed with clean water. 

DO NOT mix hydrogen peroxide and vinegar together. Spray separately for best results


In some cases, pressure washing (max of 1500 PSI) using a fan tip, as well as due care and caution. 

5. Remove Organic Contaminants Promptly: 

For organic contaminants such as moss, algae, mildew, and mold, saturate the area with hydrogen peroxide and let stand for at least 5 minutes. Repeat the saturation using vinegar, and soak up residue with disposable cloths. Then, double rinse with clean water.

Follow Up Care: 

A properly scheduled maintenance program can greatly extend the life of your Rubber Stone surface. Contact your local Rubber Stone dealer to address any tears and cracks in the surface to prevent falls and other injuries that can result from lack of maintenance.

We recommend that all Rubber Stone surfaces be recoated with our Rubber Stone Binding Agent every 5 years to renew the strength of the surface and counteract the effects of harmful UV rays. However, for commercial applications and other high traffic areas recoats should occur more often. Please keep in mind that the surface may amber in the short- term after recoating, but the ambering effect will reverse itself, usually within 30-60 days depending on UV exposure.