Installation Guide

09.1.2017 | Page 4
Flexco Floors | 1401 E. 6th St. - Tuscumbia, AL 35674
P: 800.633.3151 | flexcofloors.com | Made in the USA
TECHNICAL DATA SHEET
RUBBER TILE
Distinct Designs
has previously had floor covering installed
on all grade levels must be tested in
accordance with ASTM F1869, using
Calcium Chloride test kits, to quantitatively
determine the Moisture Vapor Emissions
Rate (MVER) of the concrete.
If ASTM F2170 or ASTM F1869 test
results exceed the prescribed limits, a
moisture mitigation product, such as
Excelsior MM-100 Moisture Mitigation,
must be installed prior to proceeding with
installation. Do not install flooring until
moisture testing has been conducted per
the appropriate standard and/or moisture
mitigation has been installed and is dry to
the touch. Do not install flooring in below
grade areas when hydrostatic pressure is
visible or suspected.
RESINOUS SUBSTRATES
When installing directly over a resinous
products, such as the Excelsior MM-
100 or an epoxy coating, ensure that
coating is dry to the touch and has
cured for the prescribed length of time.
Substrate must be clean, dry, sound and
free of contaminates. Ensure to follow
installation procedures and trowel sizes
for non-porous substrates.
GYPSUM BASED SUBSTRATES
Gypsum-based substrates must have a
minimum compressive strength of 3500
PSI. Gypsum substrates that do not meet
this requirement must have one coat
of the Excelsior MM-100 or equivalent
installed to improve the tensile/pull-off
strength of the substrate. Substrate must
be structurally sound and firmly bonded
to subfloor. Any cracked or fractured
areas must be removed and repaired
with a compatible patch or repair product.
Follow instructions for installation over
a gypsum substrate. New or existing
gypsum substrates may require a sealant
or primer. Follow all manufacturer’s
recommendations regarding preparation
for resilient flooring installation.
WOOD SUBSTRATES
Wood substrates must be prepared in
accordance with ASTM F1482. Wood
subfloors should be of double layer
construction with a minimum thickness of
1”. Crawl spaces beneath wood subfloors
shall be in compliance with local building
ventilation codes and have at least 18”
of cross-ventilated space between the
ground and the joists. Wood joists should
be spaced on not more than 16” centers.
Prior to installation, moisture retardant
sheeting with a maximum rating of 1.0
perm must be installed beneath the
wood subfloor, overlapped at least 8”. For
standard installations, use Underlayment
Grade plywood with a minimum thickness
of 1/4” thick and a fully sanded surface.
When floors may be subjected to
moisture, use an APA approved exterior
grade plywood.
Other wood subfloor materials, such as
OSB, lauan, particleboard, chipboard,
fiberboard or cementitious tile backer
boards, are not acceptable subfloors.
Avoid preservative-treated and fire-
retardant plywood, as some may be
manufactured with resins or adhesives
that may cause discoloration or staining of
the flooring. Do not install flooring directly
over solid or engineered hardwood
flooring without first installing plywood
or a suitable cementitious repair product
at a minimum thickness of 1/4" over the
hardwood flooring.
Wood subfloor deflection, movement,
or instability will cause the flooring
installations to release, buckle or become
distorted. As such, do not use plastic or
resin filler to patch cracks. Do not use
cement or rosin coated nails and staples
or solvent-based construction adhesives
to adhere the plywood. Do not install on
a sleeper system (wood subfloor system
over concrete) or directly over Sturd-I-
Floor panels.
METAL SUBSTRATES
Metal substrates must be thoroughly
sanded/ground and cleaned of any
residue, oil, rust and/or oxidation.
Substrate must be smooth, flat and
sound prior to installation. When installing
in areas that may be subject to topical
water or moisture and/or high humidity,
an anti-corrosive coating must be applied
to protect metal substrate. Contact a
local paint or coating supplier for coating
recommendations. Install flooring material
within 12 hours after sanding/grinding to
prevent re-oxidation. Any deflection in
the metal floor can cause a bond failure
between the adhesive and the metal
substrate. Ensure to follow installation
procedures and trowel sizes for non-
porous substrates.
EXISTING FLOORING SUBSTRATES
The suitability of existing flooring as
a substrate depends on the specific
requirements of the adhesive being
used to install the material. As such,
refer to the adhesive requirements for
existing flooring substrates and ensure all
adhesive requirements and guidelines are
followed.
RADIANT HEATING SUBSTRATES
When installing flooring over a substrate
that contains a radiant heating system,
ensure the radiant heat is turned off 48
hours prior to installation and remains off
during the entire installation. 48 hours
after installation, the radiant heat may be
gradually increased over the course of 24
hours, until normal operating temperature
is reached. Ensure the temperature of the
radiant heating system does not exceed
85° F (29.5° C) and avoid making abrupt
changes in radiant heating temperature.
4. CRACKS, JOINTS & VOIDS
All cracks, joints and voids, as well as
the areas surrounding them, must be
clean and free of dust, dirt, debris and
contaminants. All minor cracks and voids
3/64” wide or less may be repaired with a
suitable cementitious patch.
Due to the dynamic nature of concrete
slabs, manufacturer cannot warranty
installations to cover expansion joints,
cracks or other voids (such as control
cuts, saw joints and moving cracks or
voids) wider than 3/64”. Do not install
flooring directly over any expansion joints
or cracks wider than 3/64”.
All expansion joints should have a suitable
expansion joint covering system installed
to allow expansion joint to freely move. To
Adhesive MVER Limits
SP-500 Acrylic Aerosol: 8 lbs.
AW-510 Acrylic Wet-Set: 6 lbs.
AP-520 Acrylic Roll-On: 6 lbs.
MS-700 Modified Silane: 10 lbs.
EW-710 Epoxy Wet-Set: 6 lbs.