Activa (tm) Rubber Flooring Product Installation
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INSTALLATION INFORMATION

INTRODUCTION

We have prepared the following recommendations and instructions that apply to most applications. Only factory-approved adhesives are to be used for the warranty to be valid.

DISCLAIMER:

The following instructions conform to commonly accepted installation procedures for rubber flooring products. PRF USA, Inc., will not accept any liability whatsoever for any incorrect implementation of these instructions or for any failure in the installation. The following information is provided for general guidance only. PRF USA, Inc., assumes no responsibility whatsoever for the actual work performed, nor for loss or damage that may result from the use of this information, due to the possibility of processing, working conditions and workmanship beyond and outside our control. Users are advised to verify the suitability of the products, their application and installation conditions by their own tests.

WARRANTY EXTENDS ONLY TO THE QUALITY OF THE FLOORING PRODUCTS.

1) MATERIAL HANDLING, STORAGE AND INSPECTION:

A. Check all tiles for color and profile. Check for completeness of order. Do not mix different dye-lots of the same color; dye-lot numbers are indicated on the packaging.

B. Store tiles off the ground and out of the elements. DO NOT STACK SKIDS OR OTHER MATERIAL ON RUBBER TILES.

C. If the tiles are to be re-packed, for return or storage, they must be stacked profile to profile and back to back.

D. Prior to installation, the rubber flooring products and the adhesives must be conditioned to an ambient temperature, at the actual site, of not less than 60° F (15° C) to not more than 80° F (30° C). In severe climates a seven-day conditioning period may be necessary before installation takes place. Such temperature range must be maintained also during installation and curing of the adhesive.

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2) GENERAL CONDITIONS:

A. Expansion Joints: No attempt should be made to lay tiles over slab expansion joints. Instead tiles should stop 6" before the joint on either side and the joint should be capped with an expansion plate, which is fastened to the slab on one side only, allowing for the joint to slide without restriction.

B. Extreme Heat from the Sun: The use of blowers or radiant heater during the adhesive cure will cause the tiles to swell and peak. During the period 24 hours before installation and throughout the adhesive curing period, the subfloor temperature should not be colder than 60° F or warmer than 85° F. Sunshades must be used in areas where direct sun is present.

C. Hydrostatic Pressure: Rubber flooring products will not adhere where "hydrostatic pressure" is present. This condition requires use of a permanent effective moisture barrier. This is an engineering problem and should be referred to an engineering company.

D. Adhesion Test: Under some possibly critical conditions an Adhesion Test should be performed. The purpose of the test is to verify if there is a good bond to the subfloor and transfer of adhesive to the back of the flooring and to the subfloor. This test should last at least 72 hours. After this time the removal of the rubber flooring should be hard, with some delamination and the adhesive should remain bonded to both the subfloor and the rubber flooring.

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3) SUBFLOOR PREPARATION: CONCRETE

A. On-grade and below-grade subfloors must be protected against ground moisture with an adequate membrane moisture barrier to prevent moisture migration or water vapor transmission.

B. New concrete should be cured at least 28 days prior to installation.

C. Adequate moisture testing must be done. Not more than 3% moisture content using a calcium chlorine test or hydrometer is acceptable. It is also acceptable to test for moisture by securely taping down on all four sides a piece of polyethylene about 3 ft. square for 24 hours. If beads of water show on the underside of the polyethylene, the floor is too wet and in the case of new concrete, additional time must be allowed for drying.

D. The concrete surface should be dry and clean. The surface should be level, without surface imperfections which would telegraph through the rubber flooring. The surface should be flat within 1/8" in 10 feet. The surface should look like medium grade closed-coat sandpaper.

E. Concrete slabs are often treated with Curing Compounds, Sealers and Hardeners. These treatments must be removed from the surface by bead blasting or terrazzo grinding.

F. All existing paints, grease, old adhesive and oil must be removed from the slab. 

G. Floor Patch: Cracks, depressions and rough surfaces should be filled with a top quality leveling Portland Cement mixture with at least 2000 PSI. Available source:

ARDEX, INC. 
630 Stoops Ferry Road
Coraopils, PA 15108
(412) 264-4240

or comparable product. Do not use Gypsum fillers.

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4) EXISTING FLOOR RECOMMENDATION:

Old floor coverings should be removed completely. In cases where rubber flooring will be installed over Terrazzo, Ceramic or Quarry tile, the old tiles or terrazzo must be abraded thoroughly to remove glaze and waxes. Any loose tiles must be removed, level grout lines and other empty spaces with an approved commercial Portland type floor fill material. Application of any floor fill material should be done at least 24 hours prior to the start of the actual installation work. The area should be sanded before installation. Epoxy can also be used as a filler or leveling agent only if slight leveling is necessary.

Other surfaces or applications: Contact us or our distributor for recommendations not addressed above.

5) ADHESIVES: Solvent free & Non-flammable

EP 3000: Two-part epoxy (for standard rubber flooring)
EP 3000 ESD: Two-part conductive epoxy (for static dissipative rubber flooring)

One-gallon unit covers approximately 100 square feet and has a one-year shelf life. The epoxy must be in an even temperature of 70° F +/-10° for 24 hours prior to mixing. Mix content of part B (Curing Agent) into larger part A (Resin) can. DO NOT MIX ON THE FLOOR. Mix using a standard paint paddle, a 1/4 drill or a "Jiffy Blade". Epoxy cannot be hand mixed. Drill mix the epoxy until uniform color is obtained. WARNING: Do not cover mix, use low RPM drill. Application: Pour mixed material on the subfloor and trowel the adhesive using a 1/16" square notched trowel. DO NOT MIX MORE THAN ONE UNIT AT ONE TIME.

DO NOT USE RE-NOTCHED TROWELS.

Better quality trowels will last at least through the application of five units of epoxy depending on the actual surface.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE OF ADHESIVES ARE PRINTED ON THE LABELS. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS CALL BEFORE PROCEEDING. SAFETY DATA INFORMATION ON ADHESIVES IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

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6) INSTALLATION OF RUBBER TILES:

A. Dry-lay the entire floor tile area. Check the tiles for possible imperfections or defects including trim, thickness and color. Replace any defective material prior to adhesion.

B. Define the center point of endwalls and connect them by striking a chalk line down the middle of the room. On this line, strike a chalk line connecting the sidewalls which will divide the room into quarters.

C. A line indicating the space for fitting border tiles should be made. Measure the distance to each wall to provide a half tile or larger border for the completion of the installation. Adjust the center line to accommodate this requirement.

D. Line up the first row of tiles with a string line or a straight edge. Lay a second row either Ashlar (Brick pattern) or point to point aligning the studs, squares or ribs very carefully. Tiles may be butted corner, whether point to point or ashlar. It is important not to pressure fit the joints.
IMPORTANT: CLAIMS WILL NOT BE HONORED FOR COLOR VARIATIONS OR SURFACE BLEMISHES ONCE TILES HAVE BEEN CUT AND/OR GLUED TO THE FLOOR.

E. Immediately lay the pre-cut tiles into the adhesive. Do not pressure fit the joints. Rubber floor tiles have a natural expansion factor and do not have to be pressured-fitted. If more than normal installation foot traffic is necessary prior to 24 hours, cover the floor with plywood in traffic areas.

F. Using a 100 lb. roller, roll the tiles diagonally in two directions. A second rolling should be done after one hour. THERE SHOULD BE NO FOOT TRAFFIC AFTER THE SECOND ROLLING FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS.

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7) INSTALLATION OF RUBBER STAIRTREADS:

These instructions refer to the application of our rubber stair treads using contact adhesive.

A. Adhesive Preparation

Please follow the instructions indicated on the label of cans of the adhesive.

NOTE: Only contact adhesive approved by PRF USA, INC. can be used for the application of our rubber stair treads. For safety reason, always use non-flammable contact adhesive.

B. Adhering the Stair Treads

Apply a uniformed even coat of the contact adhesive to the subfloor and the back of the stair tread with a medium nap paint roller.

IMPORTANT!! In some installation, it may not be necessary to adhere the vertical part of the nosing.

The grooves on the back of stair treads (between the tread and riser) should not be filled with the adhesive.

The applied adhesive should be allowed to dry (10-30 minutes) until dry to touch. Drying time will depend on temperature and humidity. Drying is to allow solvent gases to escape. If contact between the stair tread and subfloor is made too soon - when the adhesive is still wet - the gases may cause the rubber stair treads to bubble.

Roll the stair treads with the roller to assure proper bond.

NOTE: Contact adhesive has instant adhesion. Particular attention has to be paid to avoid adhering the rubber stair tread in the wrong position.

Excessive adhesive can be cleaned off by using Rubbing Alcohol. 

 
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