ESD Vinyl Tile: Installation Guidelines

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BEFORE YOU START… continued:

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.

1. CONCRETE SUBSTRATES
A.) Basic Conditions:
1. Any defects found from concrete substrates must be corrected. Newly installed concrete substrates contain excessive moisture residues. Ideal time for the moisture residue to dry completely is 28 days / inch (1day / millimeter). Usually the thickness of the concrete slab is set to 20 (50cm). Moisture dissipation time can depend upon thickness of the slab and other external conditions.
2. Substrates must be smooth and dry enough to receive resilient flooring.

B.) Notice:
1. Staticworx™ recommends always performing a calcium chloride test, bond test, and alkali test and documenting the results before installing resilient flooring over concrete.
2. Do not install Staticworx™ flooring over existing resilient flooring that is too heavily embossed, not adhered well to substrate, is dirty with excessive wax build-up, etc. Staticworx™ recommends removing existing resilient flooring whenever possible. Staticworx™ does not recommend removing flooring and adhesives containing asbestos by sanding, etc. Removing flooring and adhesives containing asbestos should be done by a qualified asbestos abatement company.
3. Using chemical compounds or waterproofing treatments on concrete substrates where Alkalinity / hydrostatic pressure is apparent or water permeation is expected shall not be an alternative. Installation must be suspended even though the appropriate action is taken and installation risk be discussed with all appropriate associates.
4. Do not install over lightweight concrete or gypsum base that cannot hold 100lb / cubic foot (1602kg / m3). Before tile installation, reinforce light weight concrete with at least 1 (25mm) thickness light weight concrete according to standard concrete mixing recommendations and consult with a concrete professional.
C.) Moisture: Moisture test must be performed for both new and existing concrete before installation. To perform this test, refer to ASTM 1869 Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride.
D.) New and existing concrete substrates: New and existing concrete subfloors should meet the requirements of the latest edition of ASTM F 710, Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring. The concrete subfloor design must also meet and / or exceed both the static and dynamic load requirements for the intended use of the space. All concrete slabs MUST meet the requirements for *ACI lightweight, should have a compressive strength of 3,500 psi (24 MPa) or greater. *ACI 302.1R-96, Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction, PP.5 and 22.
NOTE: Regardless, in the event of underlayment failure, the responsibilities for warranties and / or performance guarantees is the responsibility of the subfloor subcontractor, not with the manufacturer of the resilient flooring.
E.) Aged Concrete Substrates: Concrete substrates must be free of moisture before the installation of resilient flooring. Aged concrete substrates must be free of paint, grease, wax and other foreign materials and it should be leveled. Perform underlayment reinforcement to cure the damaged or indented area.
F.) Painted Concrete: Concrete substrates must be free of paint, grease, wax and other foreign material before installing underpayments or tile ASTM test categories that judges condition of substrates are as follows:
ASTM D 4258 Cleaning test of coating concrete surface
ASTM D 4259 Abrasion test of concrete surface
ASTM D 4260 Alkalinity test of concrete surface ASTM D 4261 Extension feasibility test of concrete surface ASTM D 4262 Erosion PH test of concrete surface Follow all ASTM guidelines for proper preparation.
G.) Existing Resilient Flooring: Installing Staticworx™ vinyl Tile over existing resilient flooring is not recommended.

WARNING: Existing resilient flooring should never be cut, sawn, mechanically mended or dissolute. This operation may cause asbestos or asbestos dust diffusion. Inhaling asbestos can cause a number of serious diseases. Smoking in asbestos dust environment could cause serious lung injury. Check that the removal process is followed under the laws and regulations required by federal, state and local governments. Asbestos removal must be performed by asbestos specialty professionals who are properly trained and possess all required licenses.

WARNING: Adhesive Removal— once resilient flooring is removed, soluble asphalt adhesives are commonly found. Keep in mind that these adhesives are not always easily recognizable. When it is uncertain whether asbestos residue is contained, you must treat it as it does contain asbestos. Asbestos inhaling may cause serious injury like asbestos pneumonic. Smoking where asbestos dust is present could cause serious lung injury. Suspend the operation immediately if asbestos contamination is uncertain and consult with an asbestos removal professional.

WARNING: DO NOT SAND, DRY SCRAPE, DRY SWEEP, SAW, DRILL, BEADBLAST, OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE IN ANY WAY EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC CUTBACK ADHESIVES OR ANY OTHER ADHESIVES. THEY MAY CONTAIN ASBESTOS.

H.) Curing and Parting Compounds: Curing and parting compounds on concrete substrates where resilient flooring will be installed may damage adhesion resulting in installation failure. “Curing compounds leave a film that can interfere with the adhesion of other materials to the treated surface; their use should be avoided on surfaces that will later be covered with resilient floor coverings, where applicable, a letter of compatibility should be issued prior to the use of a curing compound on a floor receiving a subsequent finish.” - American Concrete Institute, ACI, publication 302.1R-96, Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction. Letter of compatibility must come from the manufacturer of the compound.
I.) Gypsum Based Underlayments: Gypsum base underlayments and substrate leveling compounds are utilized for noise and fire proof purposes. Responsibility of underlayment compound use is attributed to underlayment manufacturer.
J.) Floor Fills / Toppings: Resin-reinforced self-leveling cement underlayments, cellular concretes, and gypsum based products are recommended by their manufacturers for use as floor fills and / or toppings.
NOTE: All recommendations and guarantees regarding the suitability of these products and their performance as underlayments for resilient floor coverings are the responsibility of the manufacturer and the installer of the underlayment system being used.
WARNING: Latex patching reinforcement will not prevent moisture permeation through concrete slabs.

K.) Latex Patching Procedures: Follow directions given by the latex underlayment manufacture. Refer to the following guidelines:
1. Materials that might hinder the adhesive curing such as concrete residues, gypsum residues, powder, oil, grease, dust, paint and other foreign materials must be removed in advance.
2. Creased concrete and concrete debris must be leveled through grinding process.
3. Use of emulsification during surface leveling work may decrease strength of adhesives. Consult with relevant manufacturer in advance.
4. Use soap solution and clean water to remove dirt. Flooring must be clean and free of moisture.
5. All holes and indented areas must be mended before underlayment operation begins.
6. When underlayment operation is conducted, consult and use only the recommended products from latex substrates manufacturer.
7. Permeability of underlayments will not be efficient with concrete, ceramic, and terrazzo. For more information, refer to the underlayment manufacturer’s technical guide.
8. Do not conduct latex patching underlayment below 50° F (10 C). Do not expose to sun directly.
9. Neutralize acid or alkali compounds on the subfloor before conducting the installation.
L.) Radiant Heated Floors: Radiant heated floors must be secure and underground beneath the concrete subfloor. Resilient flooring must be stored and installed at temperature that does not exceed 85° F (29.4
C). If the existing floor is a radiant heated floor, a moisture preventive panel between the underground radiant heating device and the substrate must be pre installed to block moisture evaporation. Keep the radiant heated floor free from traffic for at least 48hours and keep the same temperature before and after the installation. Temperature from the radiant heat may be increased gradually.
CAUTION: If resilient flooring is installed on concrete slab with hot water pipe(s) under-ground and operated by the building’s central heating system, this may cause discoloration of the resilient flooring. The responsibility of this matter is borne by the end user.

Caution: Keep radiant flooring temperature below 85° F (29.4 C) at all times.
M.) Extension Joints: Extension joints are inserted for the purpose of concrete crack prevention when subfloor slab is moving. Insertion of expansion joints right beneath Staticworx™ resilient flooring may cause installation to fail.

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