Installation Instructions

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cementitious leveling or patching compound. Follow the open time
recommendations of the adhesive manufacturer when adhering carpet to nonporous
substrates.
8.2 Slate and Brick - These surfaces may be too rough and uneven for most
installations and may require refinishing and/or smoothing before installing carpet.
8.3 Asphalt – It is required that asphalt surfaces be clean, dry, free from excessive oil
and grease, and in good condition. Cure new asphalt for at least 30 days, or longer,
depending upon weather conditions. Follow adhesive manufacturer’s
recommendation.
9.0 Testing Concrete Substrates
Refer to the carpet manufacturer’s written instructions for guidelines on acceptable
testing methods, the number of test sites/data points and the allowable moisture and
pH limits. The carpet manufacturer or adhesive manufacturer may have guidelines
that suggest that the following three tests should be performed and the test
results/data of each test should be within acceptable limits.
9.1 Before direct glue-down, double-glue down and some stretch-in (non-porous
cushion or carpet) installations, the owner or general contractor, or their designated
testing agent, is required to submit to the flooring contractor a written report on the
moisture and alkalinity conditions of the concrete substrates.
Note: It is recommended that qualified independent third-party testing agencies be used for
determining moisture and alkalinity conditions of a concrete slab. Testing by an independent
third party specialist to determine installation suitability is a prudent and necessary safeguard
for general contractors, owners, architects, flooring product providers and installation
contractors to reduce the risk of concrete slab moisture related flooring problems. As a
minimum, testing agencies or individuals are required to demonstrate verifiable experience in
concrete moisture testing or be certified by a recognized organization.
Due to the number of available carpet backing types and other variances to be addressed in a
successful installation, the testing agencies or individuals are to contact the carpet and
adhesive manufacturer for specific guidelines relative to the appropriate moisture and pH
testing protocol(s) to be conducted before the carpet installation. Testing to conform to the
appropriate ASTM standard(s).
9.2 Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) Testing - MVER tests must be conducted
in accordance with the latest edition of ASTM F 1869, “Standard Test Method for
Measuring Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium
Chloride.”
9.3 Relative Humidity (RH) Testing - Testing for internal relative humidity of concrete
slabs must be conducted in accordance with the latest edition of ASTM F-2170,
“Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs
Using in situ Probes.”