Installation Instructions

ESD CONTROL VINYL TILE
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE INSTRUCTIONS
Install & Maint. ESD 15: 11-03-15 http://www.vpicorp.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/1J-Install-Maint-ESD-15.pdf
BEFORE INSTALLATION READ THIS DOCUMENT
THIS DOCUMENT CONTAINS IMPORTANT INFORMATION, AS WELL AS CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS. PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE
PLACED IN THE HANDS OF THE FLOOR OWNER. WARRANTY WILL BECOME EFFECTIVE ONLY IF THESE INSTRUCTIONS ARE FOLLOWED IN EVERY ASPECT.
IN SITUATIONS WHEN A WARRANTY CLAIM IS DEEMED VALID BY VPI, VPI’S LIMITED WARRANTY LIMITS VPI’S LIABILITY TO REPAIR, REPLACEMENT, CREDIT
OR OTHER, AT VPI’S OPTION, ON VPI FLOOR PRODUCTS FOR WHICH A CLAIM HAS BEEN MADE ACCORDING TO VPI’S CLAIM PROCEDURE. CLAIMS FOR
SURFACE DEFECTS OR VARIATIONS IN COLOR OR PATTERN MUST BE MADE TO VPI PRIOR TO INSTALLATION OF THE MATERIAL. FOR COMPLETE
STATEMENT OF VPI’S EXCLUSIVE WARRANTY, CONTACT: VPI CUSTOMER SERVICE, www.vpiflooring.com P.O. BOX 451, SHEBOYGAN, WI 53082-0451
Please note: In all cases, installations should comply with procedures outlined in ASTM Standards for installation, at a minimum. For procedures specific to VPI
products, please refer to the instructions below or at www.vpicorp.com/product-installation-maintenance, for the most up-to-date recommended installation
techniques.
PREPARATION OF SUBFLOOR
SUB-FLOOR PREPARATION:
It is essential that the moisture test be performed on all concrete sub-floors
regardless of the grade level or whether or not the concrete is freshly
poured or is classified as an older slab. (It is important the pH levels should
never exceed 7 when using VPI 150 adhesive, and never exceed a pH of
10 when using VPI 165 adhesive). Moisture testing should be performed by
ASTM F-1869 Calcium Chloride Test with moisture levels not to exceed
five (5) pounds per twenty-four (24) hours per one thousand (1000) square
feet.
ASTM F-2170 in Situ Relative Humidity Test should never have
moisture levels when measured by this method, not to exceed seventy-five
(75) percent.
If the test results exceed the limitations, the installation should not
proceed until the problem has been corrected.
ADHESIVE BOND TEST:
In addition to and not in lieu of the moisture test, perform the Adhesive
Bond Test. In several locations throughout the area to receive the flooring,
glue a 3’ x 3’ area of the flooring with the adhesive. Roll with a 150 LB.
roller; allow to set for 72 hours. A sufficient amount of force should be
required to remove the flooring. Take Notes of the process effects and
clean up.
These tests are required for VPI 150 and VPI 165 adhesive before a full
Installation is done.
IMPORTANT: WITHOUT DATED DOCUMENTS SHOWING pH,
RH, CALCIUM CHLORIDE AND BOND PERFORMANCE TEST
RESULTS, NO WARRANTY CLAIM WILL BE ACCEPTED FOR
CONSIDERATION.
Additional information with regard to the sub-floor installation and
requirements can be found in ASTM F-710.
CONCRETE, TERRAZZO, CERAMIC:
Sub-floors must be structurally sound, dry clean and free of dirt, dust, wax,
grease, paint, polish, oil cutting compounds, sealers and all other materials
that would interfere with a good adhesion. The floor surfaces must be
smooth and flat with a maximum variation of 1/8” in 10 feet. All cracks,
depressions, and imperfections must be repaired with a high quality
cementitous underlayment. All uncorrected sub-floor irregularities may
telegraph through the VPI flooring and become visible on the surface of the
finished installation.
GYSUM-BASED UNDERLAYMENT PRODUCTS SHOULD NOT BE
USED.
No VPI WARRANTY covers a floor failure due to emission
from sub-floor or sub-floor movement, expansion, contraction
or settlement caused by any environmental conditions.
New concrete must be properly cured. A drying time of one month per inch
of concrete is generally required after the slab is poured and protected from
the weather. Lightweight aggregate concrete floors, flooring with steel or
plastic pan construction, and floors poured over a permanent moisture
barrier usually requires an extended drying time, if lightweight aggregate
concrete weights less than 90 pounds per cubic foot, a topping of regular
concrete at least one inch thick is required. To expedite drying time,
adequate heat and ventilation should be provided.
Additional information with regards to these tests and results
can be obtained through VPI’s Technical Services Department.
If concrete surface is exceptionally smooth, it should be acid etched with a
15% solution of muriatic acid/water before installing the floor. Neutralize
the concrete after etching by rinsing with clear water to which a few ounces
of ammonia has been added.
CERAMIC TILE:
All ceramic tiles must be bonded securely to the substrate. Any loose tile
must be removed. Clean existing ceramic tile using muriatic acid/water as
directed. After floor has dried, apply a thin rich coat of Portland
cementitious underlayment with a liquid latex binder to achieve a smooth
surface.
TERRAZZO FLOORS:
Inspect the terrazzo for any sealer or film on the surface. This must be
removed before proceeding with the installation.
RADIANT HEAT:
Tile may be installed on radiant-heated floors at 65°- 75°F, as the standard
operating setting. The use of excessive radiant heat nearing the upper limit
of 90° F. can impact the performance and the adhesion of your floor.
WOOD FLOORS:
Tile may be installed over existing sound, suspended plywood floors of
double construction. DO NOT install directly over wood strip or plank sub-
floors.
Prepare floors as followed:
1. Sub-floor must be solid, well nailed at the joints and free from
flexibility. Missing or unsound boards must be replaced.
2. Install ¼” underlayment grade or exterior grade plywood or ¼”
underlayment grade hardboard. If the floor boards are badly warped,
use thicker plywood.
3. Fill all voids, cracks and seams with wood putty or equivalent fillers.
Sand all irregularities, allowing any voids to remain may transfer
through the tile and be visible on the surface of the new installation.
Note: Wood expansion or contraction will cause gapping, ridges or
possible loss of adhesion.
VPI RECOMMENDS:
Any new concrete slabs on or below grade can be poured over a
permanent moisture barrier consisting of a minimum six mil polyethylene
film. Any concrete in contact with the earth or with less than 18” of cross-
ventilated air space under it is considered to be on grade.
RESILIENT FLOORING:
Do not install tile over any resilient floor covering on or below grade.
Remove all the old floor covering and sand off all the adhesive. If a specific
job condition necessitates the installation of the tile over resilient floor
covering, use the following procedures:
1. Any floor covering must be sound and adhered tightly to the floor.
Remove any loose or broken tiles and replace them with sound
material or with a Portland cementitious underlayment with a liquid
latex binder, which should also be used to level any floor irregularities
and to fill any open seams.
2. Any texture or embossing in the original installation may transfer
through the VPI tile and be visible on the surface of the new
installation if not prepared properly.