Foundation™ Series Vinyl Tile:
Installation Guidelines
(continued from prior page)
Moisture Barrier Information
Staticworx® is not responsible for any floor installation failures associated with unaddressed pre-existing site conditions like vapor transmission, moisture permeation, contaminated concrete and damaged subfloors. Always determine if there is a vapor barrier below concrete subfloors before beginning any flooring installation.
All subfloors should be tested for moisture using ASTM test methods. For information about moisture and a complete list of ASTM test methods for determining potential moisture problems visit http://www.Staticworx.com/articles/articles-moisture-barrier.php.
3. Adhesive Recommendations
OPEN TIME
The open time will vary depending upon temperature, air flow and humidity.
Statbond adhesive should have a minimum of 10 minutes open time (square-notched). The ideal time to lay the flooring into the adhesive is best described as follows:
Semi-Wet: The adhesive must be able to transfer to your finger tips with a light touch and just start to string while the core of the serrations remains wet (resulting in full adhesive transfer).
NOTE: This method can only be used on a porous surface.
2-Part conductive epoxy adhesive should have a minimum of 20 minutes open time. The ideal time to lay the flooring into the adhesive is best described as follows:
When the adhesive first starts to tack-up or becomes sticky.
Adhesive Recommendations Table
4.Installation Checklist
Before work is begun, every site should be inspected for items listed below.
Site Checklist
- Electricity for lights and power shall be available.
- Forklift service, if necessary, shall be provided.
- Proper ventilation shall be provided.
- In all instances, adequate temperature shall be maintained where the material is to be stored and installed - recommended 68°F + 5°F. This temperature shall be maintained for 48 hours before installation, during installation, and 72 hours after installation.
- All subfloor conditions must be checked and corrected as per aforementioned instructions.
Equipment Checklist
- StaticWorx adhesive (type and date)
- Knife/seam cutter (roll goods)
- Utility knife with straight blade (large hook blade, if required)
- Carpenter's square
- Straight edge
- Chalk line and chalk
- Tape measure
- 100 lb. roller
- Weights, if required
- Hand seam roller, if required
- Recommended adhesive trowel, refer to table in Section 3, "Adhesive Recommendations", above.
5. Sheet Goods Installation
Material Layout / Fitting for Sheet Goods
- Vacuum the prepared subfloor area to be installed.
- Unroll the StaticWorx ECproducts and allow to relax (lay flat) before cutting and fitting.
- Locate the center of each end wall and connect the points by snapping a chalk line down the middle of the room.
- With the room properly centered, you can relocate your lines for a convenient starting place, or just start in the center of the room.
- Take care in planning and fitting to make sure there is a minimum of waste. If installation is to be over a plywood surface, take care to prevent seams from coinciding with the joints of the plywood underneath.
- StaticWorx ECrolls have direction arrows printed on the back of the flooring. Install the rolls so that all arrows point in the same direction.
- Cut to size the required lengths and place them in position. All seams shall have a minimum 1 1/4" (1.25") overlap.
- Be careful to insure the tapered edge/uncut edge is underneath.
- Cut in the sides of the area using the scriber, suitable trimming tool, or free-hand. If preferred, you can also cut in the ends now, or after adhering.
- All seams are to be double-cut using one of the methods listed below. When cutting seams, bear in mind that all seams shall have a neat fit (do not pressure fit), regardless of whether the seams are to be welded or not. This shall be done before adhering to the subfloor.
CAUTION: If seams are not cut dry beforehand, peaked seams may occur from lack of adhesive due to removal of some adhesive with the tapered edge/waste.
NOTE: The flooring pattern does not always continuously flow into the tapered edge, so check before cutting to remove the tapered edge and be sure to maintain the correct flow of the flooring pattern.
- When double cutting the seam, use a straight edge as a guide. Position the straight edge about 1/2" (0.5") from the top edge. Cut through the top sheet and approximately 3/4 of the thickness of the bottom sheet using a utility knife and a sharp straight blade. When making the cut, hold the utility knife as vertical as possible.
- To remove the tapered edge use one of the two methods above [under Section Method One (6a. or 6b.)].
Adhesive Application
WARNING!
Be prepared to protect the flooring during and after the installation from sun, moisture, and other construction trade (at least until adhesive has cured), if required, by covering 1-2 days with Masonite or plywood, insuring all joints are taped to prevent debris from becoming entrapped underneath and causing damage.
CAUTION: When spreading the adhesive (after the seams have been cut), it is vitally important that the material not move. If necessary, place weights on the material so that no movement will occur as you spread adhesive. Overlapping the adhesive may telegraph through the flooring.
Semi-Wet Method
- Uplift a workable area and vacuum the subfloor and back of the flooring to remove any debris, make sure your pants are free of any trash including leveling compound.
- Keeping a straight line of adhesive near the fold, apply the adhesive to the pre-prepared subfloor and allow the appropriate open time. Open time will be a minimum of 10 minutes (square-notched). Open times will vary according to air temperature, subfloor temperature, concrete porosity, humidity and air circulation. The adhesive must be able to transfer to your finger tips with a light touch and just start to string while the core of the serrations remains wet (resulting in full adhesive transfer). If the adhesive is dry to the touch, do not install the flooring - remove and replace the adhesive.
- Carefully start to place the StaticWorx EC sheet goods into the adhesive and check that you have full adhesive transfer before continuing. Make sure the seams are together without stress (do not pressure or force seams together). Continue this process until the uplifted area is placed into the adhesive.
- If you have not already done so, cut in the ends of the adhered area using the free hand method or suitable trimming tool.
TOP TIP: Using carpet off-cuts and double sided tape, cover the roller to help ensure you remove all air pockets from any dips in the substrate, and avoid a punch list.
- Roll slowly with a 100 lb. roller. Roll first from the center out so air does not get trapped under the material, then roll lengthwise.
- Only if required, hand -roll the seam area gently with a hand roller to smooth seam. Do not press hard with hand roller.
- Only if required, apply weights to any lifting flooring until the adhesive has cured to insure a good bond.
- Repeat the procedure for the second half of this area.
- After one hour, re-roll the entire area in both directions with a 100 lb. roller.
- Remove any fresh adhesive from the surface of the flooring with water and a damp clean cloth. Dried adhesive should be removed with rubbing alcohol.
- Repeat the process until all areas are completed.
Application Follow Up
- Permit no foot traffic for 6-12 hours.
- Permit no heavy foot traffic for 24 hours.
- Allow no heavy rolling loads for 72 hours, i.e. hospital beds, operating room tables, and/or similar equipment.
- Maintain recommended temperature (68°F ± 5°F) during adhesive curing time (72 hours).
- Avoid initial maintenance of finished floor for 72 hours to allow adhesive to fully cure.
