How to Guide

CARPET INSTALLATION CHECK LIST
1. Newly poured concrete floors generally will take 90 to 120 days to cure. Moisture should not exceed
5 lbs./1000sf per 24 hours as determined by a calcium chloride test per ASTM F1869, or 80%
relative humidity per ASTM F2170. If the results are more than 5 lbs. or higher than 80%, do not
proceed with the installation. Contact Field Services at 1-888-387-9881. Gypcrete or substrates with
excessive dust must be cleaned, and then primed with Mohawk Industries’ PrimeCoat or an
approved primer, such as a latex milk additive.
2. The alkalinity or pH in a concrete slab should be between 5 and 9 for a glue-down installation. When
pH is between 9-12 and moisture is below 5 lbs or 80% then PrimeCoat can be used to block pH.
Should the pH be outside this range, stop and do not proceed with the installation. Contact Field
Services at 1-888-387-9881 .
3. The floor and room temperature must be acclimated by maintaining the temperature at 65° F and 95°
F, and the humidity between 10% and 65%, for at least 48 hours before, during, and 72 hours after
installation. In addition, the adhesive and seam sealer should be stored under these conditions for at
least 24 hours before installation. The installation site must be acclimated with HVAC in operation.
4. Old adhesive must be properly removed prior to any installation of Mohawk Industries’ branded carpet.
When cutback adhesive is present or existing adhesive has indications of plasticization or PVC-backed
products are being installed, then SureSeal must be applied after the old adhesive has been properly
removed. See note #1.
5. Mechanically remove all wax, dirt, grease and paint. DO NOT use solvents to clean the floor. DO NOT
use oil-based sweeping compound. Fill cracks more than 1/16” wide with a Portland or cement-
based patching compound. The floor must be flat to within 1/8” in 10 feet. Use leveling compound
when required. Patched areas may need to be primed (consult patch manufacture for requirements)
with PrimeCoat or an approved primer. DO NOT install over resin or silicate-based curing compound.
6. Carpet should only be bent when absolutely necessary for transporting purposes only and must be
unrolled immediately. Carpet should be rolled out and allowed to relax for at least 24 hours prior to
installation.
7. Never cut carpet over carpet, as this can result in over-penetration of the blade and cutting loops on
the lower carpet. Never install broadloom carpet over carpet.
8. Carpet should be protected from heavy traffic and construction dust with a non-staining building
material paper. Never use plastic sheeting as it will trap moisture and prevent proper curing of the
adhesive. Plastic may also leave residues that can result in rapid soiling after removal.
9. Furniture placement and heavy traffic should be avoided for at least 24 hours after a direct glue-down
or double glue installation. Furniture and heavy equipment apply concentrated pressure, and movement
over unprotected carpet can cause adhesive breakdown. This can result in buckling and/or wrinkling.
It is strongly recommended that plywood or masonite boards be placed over the carpet during the
move-in phase to spread the concentrated weight of furniture and heavy equipment.
PLEASE NOTE
1. Asbestos-containing floor tiles, any adhesive possibly containing asbestos, or other asbestos-containing
floor coverings require special preparation, handling, and removal procedures. Consult the
appropriate local or state authorities or the Resilient Floor Covering Institute before disturbing any
suspected asbestos-containing material.
2. Unitary and attached cushions can only be installed by the direct glue method.
3. Installation of Mohawk Industries’ branded carpet and carpet tile on a floor outside the scope of
the guidelines in this document will void all applicable warranties.
4. Mohawk Industries is not responsible for any product failure due to improper floor preparation and/or
installation procedures. The required adhesives are Mohawk Industries’ family of adhesives.
DIRECT GLUE-DOWN INSTALLATION
FIELD SERVICES 1-888-387-9881
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