non-access floors // access floors

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://Staticworx® .com/articles/articles-moisture-barrier.htm.

Installation Instructions: Non-Access Floors

Pre-Installation Preparation
Check the quantity, color and lot numbers of the tiles before beginning the job. DO NOT MIX M.O. numbers (dye lots). Install by M.O. number sequence as indicated on the box. All claims for damages or deficiencies must be made prior to installation.

1. The following installation guidelines as stated herein should be reviewed prior to installation. ESDTile.com will not be held liable for product failure due to improper installation.

2. All other contractors should be finished with their work prior to installation. If work will be occurring simultaneously, take the necessary precautions to ensure a trouble-free installation.

3. The flooring contractor, general contractor or building owner must have the slab or concrete floor tested for the following: surface pH, moisture transmission rate, and subfloor conditions. The results must meet our test guidelines as stated below. ESDTile.com will not be held liable for installation failures if these guidelines are not strictly adhered to.

Site Testing and Conditioning
1. Temperature — The floor temperature, carpet tile and adhesive must be maintained at a minimum of 65°F for 48 hours before the installation and remain at this temperature and/or not rise above 90°F at any time during installation and 24 hours after the installation.

2. Surface pH — The concrete must be tested for surface pH at several random points throughout the floor. The pH range necessary is 5 - 9. Otherwise, corrective action is required.

3. Moisture — The site must be tested for moisture randomly throughout the floor. The proper test procedure to measure moisture transmission is the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test run quantitatively. The maximum allowable amount of moisture transmission must not exceed 3.0 lbs. /1,000 sq. ft. in 24 hours. This maximum threshold must hold true throughout the life of the product. Otherwise, corrective action is required.

General Floor Preparation
1. Clean Floor — The floor must be clean and free of all foreign matter: grease, oil, paint, wax, dirt, dust, old adhesives or any material that might interfere with the overall bond strength of the adhesive. The floor should be sound and level. All holes, cracks, depressions or protrusions must be filled with a compatible latex patching compound, and then sealed with a latex liquid and allowed to dry.

2. Caution: Cutback asphaltic adhesive must be completely and thoroughly removed. No traces can come in contact with the newly applied adhesive. Failure to do so will result in an installation failure.

Specific Floor Preparation
Concrete: New concrete must be clean, dry and cured for a minimum of 90 days and free of parting agents. Old concrete should be checked for moisture. Dry, dusty, porous floors must be sealed. Note: Sealers will not correct a moisture problem.

Ceramic Tile and Terrazzo Floors: Ceramic tile floors can not be loose. Any loose tiles must be removed. Grout lines must be filled and leveled. Strict attention must be paid to the open time for adhesive to become permanently tacky.

VCT, Vinyl Tile and VAT: Damaged tiles should be filled or replaced, and loose tiles re-glued. Patching compounds should be used to level any floor irregularities and waxes should be fully eliminated to ensure a proper bond. VAT should never be sanded or scraped without proper safety and handling precautions. Special care and precautions in accordance with state and local codes must be taken for asbestos tile abatement.

Other Resilient Flooring: Homogeneous sheet vinyl and solid vinyl tile should be removed before installation.

Old Carpet: Remove old carpet and adhesive.

Steel Flooring: Steel trenches must be clean, level, dry and free from dust, paint or other extraneous materials.

Wood: Plywood, hardwood and particle board used as subflooring must be a flooring grade and installed to manufacturer’s recommendations. Joints should be filled and any rough areas sanded smooth. Glossy surfaces need to be roughened prior to spreading the adhesive.

Site Conditions - Environment
Radiant heat: Heat must be lowered before the installation to prevent floor adhesive from “setting” too fast.

Sealers: The use of sealers on floor surfaces is generally not necessary except for sanded, dusty, porous, and acoustical surfaces. Sealing cannot overcome moisture conditions and must not be used for that purpose. When used, sealers must be thin and fast drying. They should be compatible with adhesives, which should be applied only after sealer is dry.

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