The sub-flooring surface must be fully cured and washed
with successive rain or wash waters to remove all excessive
chemical materials used to form or cure the surface (alkali,
soaps, emulsifiers, oil substances). Proper curing time will
range from 45 - 60 days after sub-flooring installation.
The sub-flooring surface must be thoroughly cleaned which
should include sweeping, vacuuming and mopping to insure that
all dirt, paint, grease, oils or any contaminants which will
prevent good adhesion are removed.
The carpet should be allowed to lay out unrolled and
allowed to relax at least one hour before installation. Ideal
temperature for the installation to take place is 55 degrees
Fahrenheit to 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and the relative humidity
should fall between 10% and 65%.
The carpet should be pre-cut for each area allowing some
excess for proper seaming and edging or any trimming
necessary.
The adhesives should be stored in an area that maintains a
temperature between 65 degrees Fahrenheit and 85 degrees
Fahrenheit. The adhesive should be spread on the sub-flooring
surface that covers an area approximately one-half the actual
size of the carpet strip being glued.
The adhesive should be applied using 1/8 x 1/8 x 1/8
V-notched trowel for smooth backed or action-backed carpets
and a 1/8 x 1/8 x 1/8 U- or Square-notched trowel for rough
backed unitary carpets. The 1/8 V-notched should apply
approximately 10 - 12 yards per gallon, whereas the 1/8 U- or
Square-notch will apply 7 - 9 yards per gallon. Of course, the
variations in the sub-floor surface will effect the final
coverage rate.
The adhesive should be applied and allowed to air dry for
15 - 30 minutes before laying the carpet. The opening air dry
time will vary with temperature, barometric pressure and air
flow (wind) around the installation area. "DO NOT COVER MORE
SURFACE AREA THAN CAN BE EFFECTIVELY WORKED."
Once the carpet has been properly joined to the sub-floor,
the entire area should be rolled using 50 - 75 pound roller
for unitaries or action backed carpets and a 35 pound roller
for urethane cellular attached form backed carpets. The floor
covering should be rolled in both E-W, N-S directions to
assure proper bond.
All carpet seams should be sealed by placing a 1/8 inch
bead of seam sealer (nonflammable) at the interface of the
carpet fiber and the primary-secondary backing. The two carpet
edges should be butted together to assure even placement and
complete seam sealing. The seam sealer can prevent tuft lose,
raveling, and even waterproof the carpet seam edges.
In the event a bubble should develop, do not ever cut or
slit open the raised area or bubble. Most bubbles are caused
from solvents left in the adhesive and trapped under the
carpet during lay-in. The best way to remove and correct these
bubbles is to puncture the bubble with an awl, ice pick or
hypodermic syringe and press the trapped solvent gas vapors
out of the bubble by pressing and squeezing the area with both
hands. Allow the carpet to lay back into the adhesive and
either sand bag or re-roll the area to develop maximum bond
strength.
If, for some reason, the bubble does not re-bond
adequately, the hypodermic syringe can be used with a small
quantity of the seam sealer to re-bond the carpet to the
floor. After the seam sealer has been injected into the
bubble, spread the sealer by hand rubbing and then allow it to
air dry for 5 - 10 minutes before rolling.
