Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsDural ManualsFlooringDurabase CI ++ 54 sq. ft. 3 ft. 3 in. x 16 ft. x 1/8 in. Uncoupling Mat

Post-tension or pre-stressed concrete

Cracked concrete (in-plane movement only)

Limitations

Minimum 2x2 tile

Concrete slabs with moisture migration require the BACKER-Lite seams to be taped

with DURABASE WP seam tape for moisture protection.

Cracks in concrete can only be in-plane. BACKER-Lite cannot overcome vertical

cracking in concrete subfloor.

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BOND COAT

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CONCRETE

All installation methods should follow ANSI and TCNA specifications as well as local building

codes.

with Concrete Substrate

Preparing the Substrate

In order to accomplish a successful installation, the area of installation must be:

Sound - no chipping or deterioration of substrate that is not repaired or replaced.

Stable - no bouncing; no deflection; not spongy or rubbery; no shortage of fasteners.

Clean- no loose debris or other matter, such as glue, residue or film, which would hinder the bonding of

the modified thinset to the substrate.

Level - no crowns or valleys in the installation area; no unintended slope in the overall installation area.

Step 1. Inspect the installation area for the presence of any faults or defects listed above in the substrate.

Step 2. If there are areas where the substrate is not sound, then make the necessary repairs or replacements to the

defective area.

(Examples: Patch concrete; remove and replace defective plywood of subfloor, etc.).

Step 3. If there are problems with the stability of the floor, this will usually signify a more significant structural

problem. Very careful evaluation should be made of wood subfloors to determine if the joist structure is

strong enough to support a tile or natural stone installation. It is possible to correct stability issues by

"sistering-in" additional plies of joist material or by installing additionaI piers or foundationaI supports.

Use of some or all of these techniques might permit a successful installation. Before proceeding, discuss

this with the builder or architect because of the relative high expense of making some types of these

repairs. CAUTION: You cannot expect a successful installation if the substrate is not stable!!!

Step 4. If needed, clean the area of installation. Remove all debris or loose material from the surface - sweep

and pick up larger pieces and/or vacuum to remove any smaller or even powdered debris. Remove any

glue,

residue or film that will hinder the bonding of the modified thinset to the substrate. Some of the

necessary cleaning can be accomplished by scraping. Some types of residue will require the application of

a chemical

cleaner, caustic or removal solution.

Step 5. Any leveling that is needed should be done at this time. All Portland cement based self-levelers need to

be installed before installing BACKER-Lite.

Installing the

R-

Lite

Step 6. Measure the installation area and cut the BACKER-Lite mat to fit. Do not butt pieces of BACKER-Lite

mat tightly against each other. Leave room for expansion or contraction joints of 1/8". The recommended

tools for cutting BACKER-Lite mat are a razor knife and/or straight-edged scissors.

Step 7. Mix the thinset to the consistency of creamy slurry that can easily be rubbed into the fibers on the

bottom of BACKER-Lite. Follow the manufacturer's recommendations for mixing thinset. *If applying

Dural BACKER-Lite to concrete it is recommended that, at this stage you wipe down the concrete surface

using a damp sponge. This is to remove any residue or film lying loose on the concrete. This process will

also hydrate the concrete, resulting in the best possible bond.