Masterfibre Warranty

Itutone (Pty) Ltd) trading as MasterFibre warrants the quality of the Goods subject to the following conditions:

  1. Such warranty shall be to repair or replace all Goods or part of Goods which shall have been manufactured by the Manufacturer and shall within twelve (12) months after the date of delivery be defective either because of faulty manufacturing, workmanship or the use of defective material on the Manufacturer’s part.

  2. No liability on the Manufacturer’s part shall arise hereunder unless within ten (10) working days after discovery of the defect, the Customer submits to the Manufacturer written notice in accordance with our these Terms and Conditions, which includes pictures identifying the alleged defect and a detailed description of the alleged defect and such notice is received by the Manufacturer within twelve (12) months after the date of delivery. A defect in workmanship or material of any part of the Goods shall not alone be sufficient for the Customer to seek a refund or replacement for the entire Goods installed.

  3. The Manufacturer shall be entitled by its employees, servants or agents to enter on the Customers’ premises to inspect the alleged defective Goods.

  4. Any liability on the Manufacturer’s part shall be conditional on the Goods having been installed strictly in accordance with the Manufacturer’s specified binders, sealers and adhesives and as per the Manufacturer’s Installation Guide for both the Goods and the binder, sealer and adhesive application by competent experienced trades people and having since the date of delivery/installation been properly used, maintained and serviced in accordance with the Manufacturer’s care and maintenance manual and properly used for the purpose intended and no repairs, alterations thereon having been carried out without the Manufacturer’s written consent.

  5. The weathering and U.V. resistance of SBR and EPDM are warrantable only if the performance is outside of the weather and U.V. resistance tables and documents published at the time of sale.

  6. The warranty shall not cover any defects or damage which may be caused or partly caused by or arise through:

    1. normal wear and tear (more than 2mm consumed per year) during the warranty period; or,
    2. compressive loads or shear loads in excess of the Goods’ maximum load capacity; or,
    3. adhesive failure due to unsuitable sub-surfaces or deteriorating sub-surfaces or sub-surfaces that have not been prepared in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Installation Guide or in good tradesman-like or common surface preparation manner or with the required application skills; or,
    4. product that has been installed by un-tradesman-like installers or persons unskilled in the installation of the Manufacturer’s Goods; or,
    5. natural disasters including but not limited to fire, floods, lightning, earthquakes, hail or hurricane; or,
    6. acts of negligence, accidents or misuse, including but not limited to, vandalism, civil disobedience, or acts of war; or,
    7. acids or harmful chemicals and the like being brought into contact with the Goods; or,
    8. discolouration, yellowing, whitening or fading due to natural or extreme or manmade conditions and the limitations of the pigments including but not limited to ultraviolet damage and normal abrasion from pedestrian and other traffic; or,
    9. any rubber tile or roll product that contracts or expands in size due to temperature variations that differ from the installation temperature or from the Goods not being given enough time to settle, relax or acclimatise after unpacking, rolling out and shipping in accordance with the Manufacturer’s Installation Guide; or,
    10. degradation through ozone, moulds or U.V. exposure causing carbon black to be exposed on the surface which rubs off with skin contact; or
    11. failure to properly maintain the Goods evidenced by factors including, but not limited to: detrital material such as loose sand, bark, builders dust, and the like being found on and/or in the Goods, and additionally Goods installed in and around pools and splash parks, residues such as pool scum, discolouration or surface delamination from water logged and/or spongy rubber or hydrolysis of the binder due to water chemical imbalances.
    12. in respect of any commercial flooring products supplied by the Manufacturer:
      1. any minor flaw or chatter mark;
      2. any batch colour variation or distribution of colour.
    13. in respect of SBR and EPDM Goods any wear and tear, discolouration, yellowing, whitening or fading;
    14. any discolouration of flooring sealers.

  7. This warranty is in addition to other rights and remedies under South Africa Consumer Law that are not able to be excluded.

  8. If the Customer is a Consumer the Goods come with guarantees that cannot be excluded under the South African Consumer Law. You are entitled to a replacement or refund for a major failure and compensation for any other reasonably foreseeable loss or damage. You are also entitled to have the Goods repaired or replaced if the Goods fail to be of acceptable quality and the failure does not amount to a major failure.

  9. In the case of Goods not manufactured by the Manufacturer its warranty to the Customer hereunder shall be the same as any warranty given to the Manufacturer by the manufacturer to it of such Goods provided always that the Manufacturer shall not be liable for any greater expense than the amount which it shall actually recover from the manufacturer under any warranty given by it and the Manufacturer shall be under no liability other than the foregoing in respect of Goods not manufactured by it.

  10. This warranty clause is in substitution for and excludes all expressed or implied (whether by statute or otherwise) conditions, warranties or obligations or liabilities of any kind that may in any way have any application to these Terms and Conditions or to Goods supplied under these Terms and Conditions, including in relation to fitness for purpose or quality of workmanship, material or design, save to the extent that any statute prevents such exclusion. In the event that the Manufacturer is liable to the Customer under this warranty the Manufacturer’s liability is limited to repairing or replacing the Goods or part of the Goods that do not comply with such warranty and in no case shall the Manufacturer be liable for consequential loss or costs any greater than the Price of the Goods or part thereof that does not so comply.

Causes of damage to Rubber Surfaces/Products

Damages to rubber surfaces can occur due to a variety of factors, including both physical and environmental influences. Some common causes of damage to rubber surfaces include:

  1. UV Radiation (Sunlight)
  • Cause: Prolonged exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun can break down the chemical structure of rubber, causing it to become brittle, crack, and degrade over time.
  • Result: The rubber surface becomes stiff, discolored, and prone to cracking or splitting.
  1. Ozone Exposure
  • Cause: Ozone (O₃) in the air reacts with rubber molecules, leading to oxidation.
  • Result: The rubber can become cracked, brittle, and lose its elasticity.
  1. Heat
  • Cause: High temperatures can accelerate the degradation of rubber, especially if the material is exposed to heat sources such as engines, machinery, or direct sunlight.
  • Result: The rubber becomes soft, sticky, or deformed and may eventually lose its shape.
  1. Cold Temperatures
  • Cause: Extreme cold can cause rubber to harden and become less flexible.
  • Result: The rubber may crack or break more easily under stress.
  1. Chemical Exposure
  • Cause: Contact with harsh chemicals, oils, solvents, acids, or detergents can degrade rubber surfaces.
  • Result: The rubber can swell, soften, crack, or lose its structural integrity.
  1. Abrasion
  • Cause: Continuous friction or contact with rough surfaces can wear down rubber, causing it to lose its texture and structure.
  • Result: The surface becomes rough, worn down, and may eventually tear.
  1. Oils and Grease
  • Cause: Rubber is sensitive to oils, lubricants, and grease, which can cause it to swell and lose its shape.
  • Result: The rubber becomes deformed, soft, or weakened over time.
  1. Physical Stress or Overloading
  • Cause: Excessive mechanical stress or pressure, such as stretching, bending, or compressing beyond the rubber’s capacity, can cause it to crack or tear.
  • Result: Physical deformation, splits, or tears in the rubber.
  1. Water and Moisture
  • Cause: Prolonged exposure to water or moisture can lead to rubber absorbing water, which can cause it to weaken and swell.
  • Result: Decreased elasticity and potential for cracking or disintegration.
  1. Improper Storage
  • Cause: Storing rubber items improperly (e.g., exposing them to excessive sunlight, high temperatures, or ozone) can lead to premature aging and damage.
  • Result: Rubber items may deteriorate quickly and lose their performance.
  1. Biological Factors
  • Cause: Mold, fungi, or bacteria may grow on rubber surfaces, especially in damp, warm environments.
  • Result: Discoloration, surface degradation, or even holes in the rubber.
  1. Contaminants (Dirt, Dust)
  • Cause: The accumulation of dirt, dust, and debris on rubber surfaces can cause abrasion over time or may introduce harmful chemicals.
  • Result: Surface wear or staining, leading to deterioration of the rubber surface.
  1. Shoe Type on Rubber Surface (Flat soles only)
  • Cause: Shoe with heels/spikes can cause damage to rubber surfaces. The narrow, concentrated pressure from the heel or spikes on shoes can form an indent or deform softer materials like rubber. When you walk or turn on rubber surfaces with heels/spikes, the weight distribution is uneven, focusing most of the weight on a small point.
  • Result: This can lead to scuffing, cracking, delamination, or other damage over time, especially if the surface is softer or more delicate.

When installation is performed against a supplier’s recommendation, it can lead to several potential issues, including:

  1. Warranty Issues: If the installation process differs from what the supplier recommends, it may void any warranties or guarantees associated with the product. This means the supplier may not honour any claims for repairs, replacements, or support.
  2. Performance Problems: Supplier recommendations often account for optimal performance and longevity of the product. Ignoring these guidelines could result in suboptimal performance or quicker wear and tears.
  3. Safety Hazards: Some installation instructions are there for safety reasons. Skipping or altering these instructions can result in safety hazards to users, workers, or the environment.
  4. Regulatory Compliance: Some products are subject to specific local or industry regulations. Supplier recommendations ensure that the product meets these requirements. Altering the installation could cause the product to fail in complying with these regulations, potentially leading to legal consequences.
  5. Increased Costs: If an installation issue occurs due to deviating from the supplier’s recommendation, it may lead to more expensive repairs, replacements, or operational failures in the long run.

It is always best to follow the supplier’s guidelines to ensure the proper functioning and safety of the product. If you have concerns or are thinking about modifying installation instructions, it’s a good idea to consult with the supplier or a professional to discuss potential risks.