LAYING VINYL FLOORING

Laying Vinyl Flooring
By [http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Andy_Lewis]Andy Lewis

Good preparation is essential for a trouble-free installation. Most vinyls can be laid on concrete, timber, stone and many other sub-floors, which have been suitably prepared. Site conditions must comply with the relevant national regulations.

Vinyl is not suitable for external installation or unheated locations but it can be used with under-floor heating providing it is switched off for 48 hours before and after laying (the maximum permitted surface temperature is 27°C (81°F).

Tiles, adhesive and sub-floor must be allowed to stabilise to a consistent temperature between 18° - 27°C (64° - 81°F) for a period of 24 hours before and after installation.

Careful sub-floor preparation is vital for an excellent floor appearance and good tile adhesion. The sub-floor must be hard, smooth, clean, dry, free from defects and fit for purpose. A suitable levelling compound should be used to ensure that no irregularities show through to the surface of the finished floor.

In all cases, the sub-floor must be sufficiently dry and the relative humidity checked to ensure it is not greater than 75% by using a suitable moisture test method.

Direct-to-earth concrete and stone sub-floors must havean effective damp proof membrane. Follow manufacturer's detailed instructions for the installation of a surface DPM and the use of levelling compound.

2.1 New Concrete

Must be allowed sufficient time to dry thoroughly as it will contain a high percentage of residual moisture. Apply levelling compound.

2.2 Old Concrete

Must be cleaned of all paint, grease, wax and any other foreign matter. Apply levelling compound.

2.3 Old Resilient Floors

Existing tiles should be lifted and adhesive residues removed by scraping. No solvents should be used to remove old adhesive. Apply levelling compound.

N.B. As a safety precaution when lifting vinyl asbestostiles the appropriate safety measures should be adhered to.

2.4 Terrazzo/Stone

Repair worn or damaged areas. Degrease and apply levelling compound.

2.5 Timber

Must be overlaid with minimum 6mm (¼") exterior or flooring grade plywood, which must be suitably secured. A suitable feathering compound should be used to smooth out joints.

Only the recommended adhesives should be used - others will not give adequate performance and may fail.

3.1 Recommended Adhesives

3.1.1 SF Adhesive

SF Adhesive is a water-based acrylic adhesive recommended for all areas except those subject to heat or moisture.

3.1.2 Universal 2-Part Adhesive

Recommended for all areas subject to some heat and moisture variations as may be found adjacent to sunny windows and shower rooms. Universal is entirely solvent-free and classified as EC1 with respect to very low VOC emissions.

3.2 Usage of adhesives

Follow the instructions on the packaging. Spread adhesive evenly using a trowel with notch size 1.5 x 5mm (UK), a Euro A2 (1.8 x 1.2 x 1.65 mm) or V notch

1/16th" x 1/16th" x 1/16th" (USA). Do not use worn trowels. Only spread sufficient adhesive that can be covered within 60 minutes.

Tiles should be rolled with a 45kg (100lbs) roller as soon as possible after laying and before the adhesive sets - timing will depend on site conditions but is generally 1-2 hours after spreading the adhesive.

Always clean away excess adhesive before it is allowed to dry - use a soft cloth moistened with Adhesive Remover. Dried adhesive can be removed by carefully scraping it off the tile, or by using a 3M blue pad moistened with Adhesive Remover.

Article by Lewis Flooring. 25 years experience withing commercial flooring services. [http://www.kent-flooring-contractor.co.uk/]Flooring Contractor Kent

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