Race Deck Static electricty

[vrocket]

I have now had race deck flooring in my shop 30x30 for just over a year. I have some issues with it: I hate the static electricity I get from just walking through the area, if anyone knows how I can get rid of it would like to hear. I have steel cabinets so every time I touch one zap.
I still don't like the expansion wave I get when it gets warmer in the summer. It goes back down after cooling. This I will just have to live with.
It takes some time to get use to the noise of walking on this floor that it makes, can be annoying.
It does look good when it is clean.
Easy to find small parts when dropped
Waxes nicely
cleans up well
I have epoxy floor in my garage and racedeck in my shop. Which do i like better is a good question each has good and bad.

 

[84944Redline]

I'm no expert on ESD, but there's got to be something you can do to cut down on the static. I have ESD shoes from work and that solves my static problem on a section of foam flooring in my garage! Not sure if a heel or wrist strap would be realistic to use.

What were the conditions when you installed your flooring? I'm considering RD and don't want excessive movement. I worry that the only good time to install is in the middle of August when it's nasty hot outside. And I don't know how much heat and sunlight it takes to affect the flooring. Is opening my garage door for 30 minutes during direct sunlight going to make it buckle significantly, or are we talking 100 degrees and sunlight to do it?

Have you tried putting landscape fabric underneath to cut down on the noise? I may consider it for low traffic areas and walkways, but not for where cars are parked and there will be a lot of moisture from rain and snow. Figure it would be best to let the tiles perform as designed.

 

[vrocket]

It was in sept. It doesn't even have to get real hot just the direct sunlight makes the wave. I do have a lift on one side of shop. I tried pulling up pieces and re installing it still does it. I left about 1/2" on edges when installed.

 

[kngelv]

I'm very interested in this thread. I'm getting ready to place an order. Static electricity would bother me tremendously.

James

 

[c7fx]

I have come across this
http://www.staticworx.com/esd-flooring/interlocking-esd-flooring.php

 

[Shocker]

That's strange as I have the same floor for 3 years and zero static electricity.

 

[Ironhorse]

Race deck is the best..but it is ABS Plastic so you will get static...when I install the flooring I use anti static spray ( Industrial type but you can use any brand you need) I work in clean rooms so this is something normal...after a few sprays it will go away..I find it hard to belive it is there after 3 years but if your having that problem after three years..just get a 2x4 copper sheet or esd pad..and run a wire to any pipe or drain in the shop..that should do the trick. When you first install the deck..I know your hair will stand up on end there is that much static..but once sprayed...it is good to go.

 

[Big-Foot]

There is a special wax that you can put down that reduces static electricity. I can't remember what its called because its been about 20 years since I bought it.. We had to use it in our class 100 clean room where we serviced disk drive HDAs. The high volume of air constantly movng through there was generating enough static charge to fully light a 4' flourescent light tube when it discharged..

Look for ESD Control floor wax.

 

[Pingatpro]

I have had my RD flooring installed in my 24x40 for close to 4 years and have never had one sign of static electricity.
So I am not sure what to tell you about that not having the issue. Have you contacted Jorgen and asked him about the issues you are seeing? If not, I suggest you do he has treated me great and has always returned PM's timely.

 

[JDishong]

ESD events are greatly reduced when room humidity is kept > 45%. Can you implement this easily?

For ESD-safe flooring you will typically tie in the flooring to earth ground. Install some "conductive straps" (assuming the flooring is conductive) from the flooring to several of your A/C outlet ground terminals. You are trying to achieve a relatively high resistance path to ground so the ESD event "slowly" discharges to ground, not quickly.

You'll want to do a bit more research on this topic but these are the two ways to control ESD events.

Also - ESD events are rarely "identified". A special ESD meter can be purchased relatively cheap and it let's you test all of your surfaces out for ESD events. Look up ESD meters.

 

[vrocket]

Dont have any air conditioning vents in my shop. Just natural ventilation.

 

[vrocket]

I have had my RD flooring installed in my 24x40 for close to 4 years and have never had one sign of static electricity.
So I am not sure what to tell you about that not having the issue. Have you contacted Jorgen and asked him about the issues you are seeing? If not, I suggest you do he has treated me great and has always returned PM's timely.

When I read other places it appears I am NOT the only one with this issue of static electricity. I am not running anything specific. 4 post lift, electric garage doors, and typical electric tools, vacuum for the floor, have waxed the racedeck with their wax and cleaner only.

 

[c7fx]

Sometimes its the type of shoes that can also be the cause. Have you tried washing it with fabric softener? I heard that can help dissipate the static

 

[RaceDeck1]

I have come across this
http://www.staticworx.com/esd-flooring/interlocking-esd-flooring.php

We manufacture this product.Whatever is causing the static in your home garage can most likely be eliminated. One trick to to simply wipe/mop the floor down with any laundry type anti-stat.

 

[RaceDeck1]

That's strange as I have the same floor for 3 years and zero static electricity.

Your right, it's very rare we every hear of a static issue, let alone one that does not go away after a few days. Our floors go in many types of areas ( garages, hangars, computer rooms, basements, factories, etc ) We also make flooring with Anti-Stat added into them for applications where government codes require it for any flooring used.

 

[c7fx]

We manufacture this product.Whatever is causing the static in your home garage can most likely be eliminated. One trick to to simply wipe/mop the floor down with any laundry type anti-stat.

It looked like yours but I couldn't find a good enough picture.

 

[JDishong]

I'm referring to 110VAC outlets, not air conditioning (sorry for the confusion.)

They do sell portable humidifiers. why not rent one for a day or two to see if things improve?

Dont have any air conditioning vents in my shop. Just natural ventilation.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I've noticed this with mine too! I get electrocuted every time I grab the door knob! lol..

 

[vrocket]

I contacted staicworx and they are sending me a sample to try. Arrived today looks like i wont be trying this. Have to strip wax off of my racedeck floor with their stripper. Which thye didnt sen me. Then put two coats of their wax on. All mus be done with temp above 60 degrees. That would be next year

 

[apache67]

I have garage deck in my home in Houston. I most definitely had static electricity issues with the tile. Didn't matter what I was wearing (leather soles, rubber soles, etc.).

 

[Wingman335]

I am currently researching garage flooring for my garage, and it is interesting to hear about this. Is the static present all the time, or only on specific seasons?

 

[Ironhorse]

I have garage deck in my home in Houston. I most definitely had static electricity issues with the tile. Didn't matter what I was wearing (leather soles, rubber soles, etc.).

Ohh..yea..lol. I am in Conroe...the funny thing was I put about 4000 sq of the free-flow deck at my warehouse in the Heights ( Center of Houston )...and it was fine...then I did part of my office in Conroe about 1300 sq with the HD deck solid tiles and it as fine no issues which included bathrooms all SS fixtures...just did my garage about 1200sq and used the HD deck..and holy god...I was bouncing off of everything...is was really bad (I think Tesla would have been proud)...so grabbed some spray from the office and used it at the house...bingo!!! no issues since..and this was just 4 months ago...The thing I noticed is for both the shops I bought the standered finish tiles...for the house I bought Tuff Sheild...so I would almost bet that is where the issue is with static...solid tiles that have the Tuff Sheild.

 

[Cryptic1911]

I am currently researching garage flooring for my garage, and it is interesting to hear about this. Is the static present all the time, or only on specific seasons?

seems like certain seasons.. I hadn't noticed it until recently when it started getting cold and dry