Floorgard Corry Board sheets are quality-made and can be reused to reduce waste and save money. Here, we list the dos to help you maximise their use, as well as the don’ts, so you don’t risk damage. Ready?
Dos When Reusing Temporary Floor Protection
Floorgard Corry Board can take impact and foot traffic, even at just 2mm thickness. While they are durable, they’ll naturally wear over time with repeated use. Here’s how to make sure they’re still in good condition for another round.
Inspect the sheet’s condition
The “sheet” is the floor protection board itself. Before reusing it, check it for common signs of damage, such as:
Cracks on the surface or along the edges
Punctures or corners that have been crushed
Soft areas or uneven spots when you press down
Warping caused by moisture or poor storage
Is the sheet still rigid? It should feel solid across the whole surface. It should hold its shape and sit flat when laid down. If these are all met, it can still go back to the floor.
This should be done before every installation.
Clean thoroughly before reinstalling
Boards collect dust, grit, plaster, paint, and adhesive during site work. If left on the surface, this can transfer to finished flooring or cause scratches when the board is laid back down.
Clean it by sweeping or wiping down the surface. Don’t skip the underside either, as trapped grit can still damage floors once installed. Do so until the board is free from dirt and residue.
Store between uses
Always store the boards flat. Leaning them against a wall might seem fine at the time, but they won’t sit right when you need them again. Keep them in a dry, covered spot – stacked evenly to keep the weight balanced.
While not in use, cover the stack with a polythene sheeting, dust sheet, or FR dust screen to avoid dust settling on it. Also, make sure nothing heavy is placed on top, so the boards stay flat and ready for the next job.
Rotate boards across sites
Not all boards need to go back into the same spots they came from. Once a board has passed inspection and is cleared for another round, it can be reused on traffic zones, including:
Walkways
Access
Routes
The boards can also work as surface protection for tables, countertops, and other flat furniture. Switch them around between jobs instead of keeping the same boards in the same positions. This spreads the load across all of them instead of putting pressure on just a few.
Install the boards as if they’re “new”
Even if a board has been on site before, treat each install like it’s going down for the first time. It should cover the full area without leaving small gaps along the edges. And if it’s being used on a surface like a table or countertop, it should sit flat and cover all contact points.
Don’ts When Reusing Floor Protection Boards
Floorgard Corry Board can handle more than one round, but there are some common mistakes you’ll want to avoid.
Don’t reuse wet or damp boards
These are the ones that have been exposed to rain, spills, or moisture from storage. They may also feel heavy, soft, or cool to touch compared to a dry board.
Moisture affects how the board performs once it’s laid back down. It can weaken the structure and make the board lose its shape, which usually shows up as warping or curling. It can also create issues for whatever surface is underneath, especially if moisture transfers through during work.
It’s better not to bring it back into circulation.
Don’t ignore contamination
Contamination is anything left on the board after use, such as cement dust, dirt, oil, paint, adhesive, or chemical spills that haven’t been fully removed. This is why thorough cleaning is a must (but avoid over-brushing, as this can wear down the surface).
These residues don’t just sit on the surface of the board. They can transfer onto finished floors, leave marks or stains, or create a sticky layer that bonds to coatings. Even fine particles left behind can scratch or damage more delicate surfaces once the board is laid again.
If it can’t be cleaned back to a clear surface, it’s best to dispose of it for recycling.*
*Our range of Floorgard Corry Board is made from recyclable polypropylene (PP) materials. All variants are included in our Blue Cycle Recycling Scheme, a program that takes care of the process on your behalf.
Don’t mix boards that don’t match
Using boards that don’t lie flat with ones that do create an uneven surface once laid. If a board rocks, lifts the edges, or doesn’t lie flat, it will throw off the level across the whole area. Keep only those that are level and stable together in the same area.
It’s fine to use reused boards with new ones as long as they don’t create any height or movement differences on the floor.
Don’t treat all boards are ready for reuse
Not every board is fit for this. Performance can drop after repeated use, and overusing also increases the chance of problems on the floor and creates unnecessary risk for workers on site.
It’s okay for boards to reach the end of their usable life after repeated use. They have limits. Take them out rather than stretch them further. What you should do is to keep enough new stocks on hand, so you always have them ready for situations like these.
Get yours from us today, with variety of options, including: the standard corry board, FR corry board, custom print corry board, corry board stair tread, and corry board handy pack.
As the installation and handling of this product are beyond our control, the user must ensure that it’s suitable for the application.
For enquiries and fast quotes, email our team at customercare@s-pgroup.com or call 028 9411 0032. SP Group is a temporary protection and scaffold supplier based in the UK and Ireland.