Installation Instructions

32
Appendices
Definition of Terms
Adhesive – A substance that dries to a film capable of holding materials together by surface
attachment. Applying adhesive to the floor normally is accomplished with a trowel, airless
spray, or roller.
Adhesive transfer – The degree of coverage and penetration of the applied adhesive into
the back of carpet while still maintaining full coverage of the floor. The degree of coverage
may be influenced by adhesive type, method of installation, open assembly time and other
factors.
Alkali – Having a pH greater than 7.
Attached cushion – Cushion material permanently bonded to the back of carpet by the
manufacturer.
Baseboard – A board skirting the lower edge of a wall, covering the junction of the wall and
the floor.
Broadloom – Carpet manufactured in a roll format.
Calcium chloride test – ASTM F1869 test method that is used to obtain measurements of
moisture vapor emission rates over concrete substrates.
Carpet cushion – Material placed under carpet to provide resiliency, support, insulation
qualities and noise reduction; also referred to as carpet lining, padding, or underlay,
although “carpet cushion” is the preferred industry term.
Carpet Tiles – Various shapes and sizes of carpet precut during manufacturing with
applied backings.
Conditioning – The process of allowing the substrate, carpet, cushion and sundries to
relax or acclimate to the proper environment into which it is to be installed as described in
the text.
Curing Compounds – Chemicals used to accelerate the curing time of concrete. [These
can be adhesive bond breakers]
Dead man – A device used in carpet installation to provide a point of resistance for
facilitating stretching procedures. Construction is a board with strips of tack strip attached
to the bottom side.
Delamination – a separation of the carpet’s primary and secondary backing.
Direct glue down – This is an installation method where carpet is adhered to the substrate
using the proper adhesive.
Double glue down – This is an installation method where carpet cushion is first adhered
to the substrate, and the carpet is then adhered to the cushion using the proper adhesives.
Double-headed mini-stretcher (crab stretcher) – Hand device used for aligning
patterns where a power stretcher cannot be used; also used for removing fullness at seams
and closing gaps at seams.
Dry line – This is a length of line or cord, which is stretched slightly above the carpet, but
not touching the carpet, and used as a visual reference in pattern alignment. Lasers also may
be used in this capacity.