How to Guide

CONDITION 1: Surface coatings and/or contamination such as
gypsum plaster, joint compound, or adhesive.
Evaluation: Look at the surface and note the type and location
of the surface contamination.
Preparation: First scrape off any lumps and loose material.
Then use an appropriate cleaning method for the type of
contamination. Examples include:
 Coatings or paints – Application over coatings is
acceptable if they are well bonded and achieve a
minimum of 72 psi (0.5 MPa) tensile bond strength.
Coating surface must be free from any contaminants
that may inhibit bond. Poorly bonded or peeling
coatings must be removed by mechanical method.
 Gypsum plaster and joint compound – Scrub with
warm water and detergent to remove any remaining
material. Thoroughly rinse off any residue and allow
concrete surface to dry prior to application of any TEC
Skill Set materials.
 Adhesive
 Cutback Adhesive Residue (non-asbestos) –
Application over asphalt-based cutback adhesive
residue is acceptable provided the residue is well
bonded and can achieve a minimum of 72 psi (0.5
MPa) tensile bond strength. Scrape and remove
adhesive until all that remains is a thin, transparent
layer. NOTE: Mechanical removal of cutback by
sanding, grinding or blasting can be hazardous since
old cutback adhesive may contain asbestos. Harmful
dust may result. Inhalation of asbestos dust may cause
asbestosis or other serious bodily harm. Consult all
applicable government agencies for rules and
regulations concerning the removal of floorings and
adhesives that contain asbestos.
 Tacky or pressure-sensitive adhesive – Do not apply
TEC
®
Skill Set™ underlayments over these adhesives.
They must be mechanically removed by a method such
as shot blasting.
CONDITION 2: Weak top layer (laitance) or damaged concrete
(spalling, scaling, or crumbling).
Evaluation: First scrape the surface with a knife blade. If this
produces a fine powder, then laitance is present. Then use a
hammer or other heavy object to sound out weak or hollow
areas. Note the areas that are weak or damaged.
Preparation: Weak or damaged concrete must be removed by
mechanical method such as shot blasting.
NOTE: Acid washing or etching is not recommended because it
is difficult to control and to fully remove contaminants and
properly neutralize. The acid can penetrate into the porous
concrete and chemically undermine the cement, weakening the
concrete. Acid washing will not remove grease or oil.
SELF-LEVELING UNDERLAYMENT
Physical Properties
Description
Physical State
Dry powder
Color
Gray
Working Time
15-20 minutes
Walkable Hardness
2-4 hours*
Flooring Installation**
Ceramic tile and natural stone: 12-
16; permeable coverings after 24
hours; non-permeable coverings
after 48 hours*
Ideal Slump Range***
11”-12”
* Colder temperatures and higher humidity’s will extend cure times.
** Flooring material installation within 48 hours after application is dependent on
thickness, drying conditions and type of flooring.
*** Ideal slump range is based in 2” inside plastic/metal pipe by 4” high.
5. INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Surface Preparation
General: It is required that all surfaces be structurally sound and
free from any contaminants that may inhibit bond, including oil,
grease, dust, loose or peeling paint, sealers, floor finishes, or
curing compounds, etc. Minimum tensile bond strength of 72 psi
(0.5 MPa) is required. Substrate temperature should be a
minimum of 50°F (10°C) during application and air temperature
maintained above 50°F (10°C). DO NOT cover existing building
expansion or control joints. Provide joints where specified.
Create 1 ⁄8" to 1 ⁄4" wide gaps where self-leveling underlayment
abuts walls, columns, and fixtures by installing a self-sticking
foam weather stripping tape or damp sand (vacuum up sand
after self-leveling underlayment has cured). Use TEC® Skill
Set™ Fast Setting Patch to plug all floor openings, gaps and
static (non-moving) cracks and install termination dams to
prevent any seepage.
Concrete: TEC
®
Skill Set™ Self Leveling Underlayment can be
installed over new (“green”) concrete with a maximum of 95% RH
or 15 lbs per 1000 ft2 (0.07 kg/m2) per 24 hours. However, when
installing moisture sensitive floor coverings refer to the finished floor
manufacturer’s specifications on moisture limitations. Remediation
of excessive moisture conditions must be addressed prior to the
installation TEC
®
Skill Set™ Self Leveling Underlayment.
A successful application to concrete requires evaluation of the
concrete surface and preparation to address any conditions that
would prevent a good bond. Following are the four conditions you
need to check for. Check for Condition 1 on the entire concrete
surface. Check for Conditions 2 through 4 on several areas,
typically every 100 square feet (9.3 m2) on applications of 1000
square feet (93 m2) or less and every 500 square feet (46.5 m2) on
larger applications. Once you have completed the preparation
method, always re-check to confirm the method worked.
Shot blasting is one of the most effective methods of removing a
wide variety of contaminants, or laitance (weak concrete surface
material) from concrete. A shot blast machine will remove sealers,
coatings, curing compounds and other contaminants quickly and
effectively, leaving behind a proper surface ready to receive the
primer and underlayment. Thickness of surface removal must be
deep enough to eliminate penetrated contaminants or laitance.