The FloorMuffler® and FloorMuffler High Performance Adhesive™
SYSTEM INSTALLATION GUIDELINES (Revision Dated 04.09.09)
Floor Muffler® High Performance Pad Adhesive ( HPPA ) is a revolutionary breakthrough in adhesive technology. A solvent-free, latex resin emulsion, which allows the contractor to install the non-porous pad within 20-30 minutes after spreading the Floor Muffler HPPA. This will increase productivity without compromising the integrity of the installation. The ultra-fast flash time grabs The Floor Muffler™ and holds the pad in place while the installer lays the wood flooring.
Floor Muffler Engineered Wood Adhesive (EWA) is a high solids, water resistant, proprietary Co-Polymer adhesive, which is formulated for the installation of engineered plank. The maximum dimensions for engineered hardwood flooring are 7"x96". Before installing bamboo or other exotic species, please contact Diversified Foam Products directly for written approval. Also, for a copy of the Limited Lifetime Warranty please contact Diversified Industries marketing department.
Floor Muffler EWA is VOC compliant, easy to spread and easy to clean. This adhesive can be used on most commonly found sub-floors and brands of wood flooring designed for "glue-down" installations. The proprietary EWA formula minimizes cupping or lifting of plank flooring. The excellent re-bond characteristic helps to minimize callbacks from "popping" or "hollow spots." Floor Muffler EWA ensures a strong, water resistant bond. The formula is freeze-thaw stable and non-hazardous. The EWA is specifically formulated to create extreme bond to The Floor Muffler™ sound adsorption pad.
Prior to the start of the installation the installer must determine that the job-site conditions meet or exceed all applicable standards of the wood flooring manufacturer and Diversified Industries. Installation of hardwood flooring should be one of the last jobs of any construction project. The sub-floor should be prepared according to the standards and practices set forth in the document ASTM F-710-08.
Site Conditions:
The building should be completely enclosed. All outside doors and windows should be properly installed with latching mechanisms in place.
Landscaping should be sufficiently completed to direct water away from the building. Gutters and downspouts should be in place.
All concrete, masonry, plastering, drywall and other wet work should be completed and thoroughly dry prior to beginning the installation. Texturing and paint primer coats should be completed. Where possible the installation of the base molding should not take place until after the wood flooring has been installed.
The HVAC system for the building should be operating for a minimum of 72 hours prior to the start of the installation. The flooring should not be exposed to extremes of temperature, humidity or moisture. The installation site should have a consistent air temperature of 65F-95ºF and relative humidity levels should be between 35%- 60% for a minimum of 72 hours prior to the start of the installation. The temperature of the sub-floor should be between 65ºF-85ºF. These conditions must be maintained to ensure long term success and performance of the wood flooring installation.
Basements and crawl spaces should be dry and adequately ventilated. Sub-floors must be checked for moisture content and emissions using industry accepted methods. Crawl spaces should meet local building codes regarding minimum heights, cross ventilation and the use of vapor retarders.
Sub-floors must be free from dust, dirt, grease, wax, curing agents, sealers, oil and any other bond inhibiting substances. The sub-floor should be flat within 3/16" in 10' and 1/8" in 6'.
Concrete must be fully cured and dry with moisture emission rates that do not exceed 3 lbs/1000 sq ft/24 hrs as measured by the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM-F-1869-04). Lightweight concrete should be tested according to the requirements of ASTM-F2170. In situ relative humidity should not exceed 75%. Concrete surface pH is required to be 7-9.0. Before any moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30 days and the HVAC system must be operating for a minimum of 72 hours. Fill low areas with a polymer-modified portland cement leveling or patching compound. Leveling and patching compounds must be tested to ensure they are properly cured and within the manufacturer’s specified requirements before proceeding with the installation. Mechanical surface profiling is the preferred sub-floor preparation method. Mechanically profile the sub-floor to medium-grit sandpaper texture. Sanding or scouring with open paper or a titanium disk is preferred. Remove curing and parting compounds and other surface hardeners and floor coatings by mechanically profiling, bead blasting or other similar means. Lightweight concrete and gypsum concrete must be primed with an acrylic primer that is compatible with the HPPA.
For wood joist systems the sub-floor should be structurally sound, free of loose panels or boards, and free of protruding fasteners. Moisture content should be within normal industry standards for the areas average environmental conditions. Moisture content of the sub-floor and the wood flooring should vary no more than 4%. Underlayment panels should be fastened according to the manufacturer’s specifications. All panel seams should be sanded level and prepared according to the panel manufacturer’s instructions. Sanded and other very porous substrates must be primed with an acrylic primer that is compatible with the HPPA. Minimum sub-flooring: 5/8" CDX plywood sub-floor/underlayment (Exposure 1), maximum 16" o.c. construction. Install the flooring perpendicular to the floor joists. Do not install flooring over existing glue-down wood flooring or nailed down wood flooring that is wider than 3 1/4". Wide plank floors must be covered with an acceptable underlayment.
The Floor Muffler may be installed over existing full spread sheet vinyl and vinyl tiles (non-embossed and non-cushion backed) if the existing flooring is well bonded. Clean the surface thoroughly and de-gloss the surface using an abrasive pad to create a suitable sub-floor. Resilient sub-floors must be free from dust, dirt, grease, wax, sealers, oil and any other bond inhibiting substances. These substances must be removed with the appropriate stripper/removers. Fill low areas with a polymer-modified portland cement based leveling or patching compound with minimum 3,000-psi compressive strength. Leveling compounds must be tested to ensure they are properly cured and within the manufacturer’s specified requirements before proceeding with the installation. Repair or replace loose flooring products before installing the Floor Muffler. Never sand any resilient flooring that may contain asbestos fibers.
Prior to the start of the installation the wood flooring, EWA, HPPA and the sub-floor must be acclimated in an enclosed building with the HVAC operating for a minimum of 72 hours. Wood flooring must be exposed to the air when being acclimated.
FLOOR MUFFLER INSTALLATION:
1. When preparing to install the Floor Muffler be certain that the product is rolled “shiny side” down. The wood flooring should be installed over the “rough” side of the Floor Muffler. Roll out The Floor Muffler cushion and trim to fit the floor leaving no gaps around the perimeter of the room. The Floor Muffler should be laid perpendicular to the wood flooring’s direction. The Floor Muffler should be laid perpendicular to the wood flooring’s direction. Take note that the Floor Muffler may also be printed to indicate which side of the pad is to be glued to the sub-floor. Roll out the pad and rough cut before applying the HPPA.
2. Pull back one half of the rough cut piece(s) of the Floor Muffler. Apply the Floor Muffler HPPA to the sub-floor with the recommended trowel. (See below) Allow 15-30 minutes open time before placing the Floor Muffler into the adhesive If the sub-floor is non-porous a longer open time will be required.* Carefully, place the pad into the adhesive. Avoid trapping air under the pad or creating bubbles or wrinkles. NOTE: the Floor Muffler is a non-porous, waterproof pad. Consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the adhesive to avoid trapping moisture under the Floor Muffler. Temperature and relative humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed and the adhesive’s working time. A 100% adhesive transfer rate to the Floor Muffler is required. If proper transfer is not achieved, remove dried adhesive from the sub-floor and re-apply the HPPA with the recommended trowel allowing the appropriate open time before proceeding. Floor fans or blowers can be used to reduce the necessary open time of the adhesive.
3. Roll completed installation with a 35lb. three-section roller in a north-south direction and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate seating into the adhesive. Do not use a roller heavier than 35 lbs.
4. Seams should be butted together leaving no gaps or overlaps. If installing the underlayment on concrete, or below grade sub-floors, be sure to tape the seams together with two-inch packing tape (for added moisture protection).
5. Floor Muffler HPPA achieves a firm set in 60 to 90 minutes. The installation of wood can be allowed after this time. Heavy traffic should be restricted for a minimum of 12 hours. If wood flooring is not to be installed on the same day, take care to protect the cushion from damage by using plywood panels or other means until the wood flooring can be installed.
WOOD FLOORING INSTALLATION:
1. Follow wood flooring manufacturer’s instructions for layout, requirements for expansion space, and any special precautions for installation.
2. Apply the Floor Muffler EWA with the recommended trowel. (See below) Allow approximately 20 minutes open time before placing wood flooring. Working time for the adhesive is approximately 45 minutes.
NOTE: Floor Muffler is a non-porous, waterproof pad. Consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the adhesive to avoid trapping moisture under the wood flooring. Temperature and relative humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed and the adhesive’s working time.
3. A 100% adhesive transfer rate to the wood flooring is required. Occasionally lift a piece of flooring to assure that a 100% adhesive transfer is achieved. If proper transfer is not achieved, remove dried adhesive from the Floor Muffler and re-apply the EWA with the recommended trowel allowing the appropriate open time before proceeding. The use of non-transferring tape may be required to secure patterns and minimize movement until installation has been completed. Be sure to remove tape immediately after completion of the installation to avoid damaging the wood. Do not use masking tape. NOTE: Floor Muffler is a non-porous, waterproof pad. Consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the EWA to avoid trapping moisture under the wood flooring.
4. Leave appropriate expansion space around the perimeter of the room and at any stationary objects.
5. If plank is bowed or warped, use weights to ensure flooring is in full contact with the adhesive during the adhesive curing process. Excessively bowed or warped planks should be culled prior to installing the flooring.
6. Roll completed installation with a 100lb. roller in a north-south direction and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate seating into the adhesive.
7. The adhesive achieves a firm set in 8-10 hours. Furniture placement and foot traffic should be restricted for a minimum of 24 hours.
8. Remove wet adhesive with a damp cloth. If adhesive dries, remove the adhesive with safety solvent. Test solvent on a scrap piece of flooring to ensure solvent does not affect the floors finish.
TROWEL RECOMMENDATIONS:
Engineered plank flooring: 1/4" x 3/16" x 5/16" V notch (50-60 sq. ft. /gal.)
Parquet: 1/8" x 1/8" x 1/8" Square notch (90-108 sq. ft. /gal.)
Floor Muffler to sub-floor: 1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16" Square notch 125-150 sq. ft. /gal.)
*Determining whether the sub-floor is porous or non-porous is the responsibility of the user. You can check the sub-floor by placing two drops of water in several areas across the sub-floor. The sub-floor is porous if the water is absorbed within a few seconds. If the water beads and is not absorbed within a few seconds the sub-floor is non-porous.
