Q: We recently had maple engineered wood installed in our home. Can you recommend treadmill mats for hardwood floors? The manufacturer will not give me a straight answer. I am worried about moisture/mold problems, and do not understand what type of rubber to use.
A: Is this a mat to put under the tread mill? Why not just apply felt tacs and certain points on the supporting structure where it sits on the floor?
Follow-up comment: A mat will absorb the shock and protect the floor from dents.
A: I don’t know what to suggest for sure. What about these cheap interlocking sponge mats you can get at Walmart?
Note from Webmaster: Here’s a link that mentions “Preserve Your Hardwood Or Carpeted Floor Under Your Treadmill. Pvc Plastic Mat Wont Leave Stains Or Marks. Black With Nonslip Texture.” We don’t have a treadmill to test that out with, though. Interlocking foam mats are also mentioned on other sites re:treadmills on hardwood.
Related Q: Hi, my treadmill rubber supports left block stains on my hardwood floor. They look like they are caused by moisture. What are the solutions for this?
A: If these marks are on the surface, on the finish, you should be able to rub them off with a mildly abrasive pad and some floor cleaner. Even alcohol should work. If it is actually moisture stains in the wood then the spots will have to be sanded or scraped to bare, clean wood. If they are very deep the boards would have to be replaced.