THIS COURSE TEACHES: -- Analyze substrate conditions to identify problematic substrate conditions – including substrate variation and excessive moisture. -- Explain the effects of excessive moisture levels in substrates on specific floor-coverings and delineate the benefits of a moisture mitigation membrane. -- Understand how to work within the parameters of today’s tight construction schedules and commitment to LEED® certification, while simultaneously addressing substrate conditions to prevent flooring failures. -- Address substrate variation by selecting an appropriate patch or self-leveler.

1. presented by
Custom Concrete Prep & Polish
303-222-2147
Floor Coverings
Performance Challenges in Installation Systems
1 AIA CES LU

2. Best Practices
H.B. Fuller, manufacturer of TEC® Brand products, is a provider with
The American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems
(AIA/CES). Credit earned on completion of this program will be reported
to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA members
and non-AIA members are available upon request. This program is registered with AIA/CES
for continuing professional education. As such, it does not include content that may be
deemed or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any material of
construction or any method or manner of handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any
material or product. Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services should
be addressed to the course sponsor at the conclusion of this course.

3. Copyright
This presentation is protected by U.S. and international copyright laws.
Reproduction, distribution, display and use of the presentation without written
permission of H.B. Fuller Construction Products, Inc. is prohibited.
© 2015, H.B. Fuller Construction Products, Inc.
CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS

4. Learning Objectives
1. Analyze substrate conditions to identify problematic substrate conditions – including
substrate variation and excessive moisture.
2. Explain the effects of excessive moisture levels in substrates on specific floor-
coverings and delineate the benefits of a moisture mitigation membrane.
3. Understand how to work within the parameters of today’s tight construction schedules
and commitment to LEED® certification, while simultaneously addressing substrate
conditions to prevent flooring failures.
4. Address substrate variation by selecting an appropriate patch or self-leveler.
By the end of this course, you will be able to:

5. Agenda
I. Installation Challenges
II. Suitable Substrates
III. Substrate Preparation
IV. Moisture Problems
V. Moisture Solutions
VI. Construction Concerns
VII. Case Studies

6. Challenges
• Construction schedules
• Poor slab / substrate conditions
• Moisture limitations
• Wide variety of adhesive
performance

7. • More fast-tracked /
time sensitive projects
• Development of land with higher
than ideal water tables
• LEED®
Construction Trends

8. Suitable Substrates
New Construction
• Concrete
o Standard
o Structural Lightweight
o Green (newly poured - 48 hours)
o Gypsum
• Wood based materials
o Plywood
o OSB (w/ suitable primer)

9. Concrete Facts and Characteristics
• Surface flatness
• Strength
• Joints
• Moisture levels
• Alkalinity
Achieving long term appearance and performance of the
resilient flooring are dependent on:

10. Surface Evaluation
• Moisture Levels
1) Calcium Chloride Test
2) Relative Humidity Probe Testing
• Contamination
• Integrity
• Flatness
• Porosity

11. Concrete Substrates
• New concrete substrates can emit
levels of moisture unsuitable to
many types of flooring adhesives
• Condition and surface of concrete
may not be suitable for most flooring
types

12. Concrete Substrates
A Moisture Vapor Barrier is the Roof of a House – Upside Down
Moisture Vapor Barrier
• A moisture vapor barrier MUST always be
used when pouring concrete
• Most important line of defense against
moisture in new construction on or below
grade

13. Underlayments
High Performance Cementitious Self-Leveling
• Pourable or pumpable
• High strength
• Compatible with high performance
membranes and adhesives
• Tolerate high levels of moisture
emitting from slab

14. Underlayments
Trowelable Patches / Embossing Levelers
• Cement based, latex modified
• Featheredge up to ½” depth. May require multiple applications
• Designed to level floor and provide a smooth surface that will not telegraph
imperfections through flooring
• Fast curing
• Can be used over a variety of surfaces
• Sandable

15. Underlayments
Sanded Patches
• Featheredge up to ½” in one application
• Latex modified for high bond and compressive strength
• Fast curing
Fast Setting Deep Fill Patches
• Up to 1 ½” depth in one application
• Rampable
• Can transition substrates to accommodate different
flooring types

16. Effects of Moisture in Concrete
• Development of mold, mildew and other harmful microbial life
o Requiring only 3 elements for growth – the right temperature, moisture
and a food source such as gypsum, carpet backing etc.
• Indoor Air Quality and “Sick Building Syndrome” issues
o Lost time and productivity of building staff
o Downtime for repair and or replacement of floor coverings, sub-floor, fixtures
• “Green Building” with less VOC omitting adhesives
o Replacing solvent-based adhesives with water based adhesives
o Increased risk of proper bond and/or cure of water based adhesive over concrete
with relatively high moisture levels

17. Moisture and alkalinity related floor covering failures are estimated to
be over $1 billion in the United States each year in repair and
replacement costs, damages, and downtime.
Flooring Failures Due to Excessive
Moisture Levels in Substrates
Source: NAFCD (North
American Association of
Floor Covering
Distributors)

18. Excessive Moisture
Elevated moisture and alkalinity problems are the biggest
challenges to installing a successful floor over concrete slabs.

19. Excessive Moisture
Many types of flooring will have issues when
exposed to moisture levels.
• Sheet Vinyl
• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
• Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT)
• Linoleum
• Wood Flooring
• Engineered Flooring
• Rubber Flooring

20. Flooring Failures Due to Excessive
Moisture Levels in Substrates

21. Flooring Failures Due to Excessive
Moisture Levels in Substrates

22. Flooring Failures Due to Excessive
Moisture Levels in Substrates

23. Moisture Mitigation Membranes
Solution: Specify the use of a moisture mitigation membrane for use
with all commercial flooring types:
• Sheet Vinyl
• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
• Vinyl Composite Tile (VCT)
• Linoleum
• Wood Flooring
• Engineered Flooring
• Rubber Flooring

24. • Specify a level of protection to insure quality / sustainability
• 25 lbs. per 1,000-square-feet per 24 hours ASTM F-1869
• 100% Relative Humidity per ASTM F-2170
• To ensure compatibility, specify single source
responsible for:
o Moisture Mitigation membranes
o Primer
o Surface prep
o Floor-covering adhesives
Moisture Mitigation Membranes

25. ASTM Standard F3010
• In measured in accordance with ASTM E96 test methods
• Standard ASTM F 3010 requires a perm rating of less than 0.10 to be
considered a barrier for resilient floor covering installations
• Gives architects the ability to set a standard for optimal performance
• Higher level of protection for floor covering products

26. Floor Covering Adhesives
• Many types of floor coverings do not breathe
• Adhesive selection is key to long lasting floor installations
• Many floor covering manufacturers recommend an adhesive but may
or may not address complete systems to install their product
• Warranties may not specify how to deal with challenges

27. Floor Covering Adhesives
High Moisture Technology
• Increases moisture tolerance of adhesive
from 3 - 5 lbs. to 8 - 10 lbs. based on a
calcium chloride test
• Increases moisture tolerance of adhesive
from 72 – 75 % to 86% - 90% Relative
Humidity
• Saves time for applications where declining
moisture levels are recorded on new slabs

28. LEED® Potential
MR 4.1; 4.2: Recycled Content
Amount of Post-Consumer Recycled Content
Amount of Pre-Consumer Recycled Content 10%
EQ 4.1: Low Emitting Materials Adhesives and Sealants
Adhesives, Sealants and Sealant Primers VOC content (g/l less water): 0 g/l
Aerosol Adhesives VOC weight % (g/l less water)
EQ 5.1; 5.2: Regional Materials
Distance from Manufacturer to Project Site 490 Miles
Distance from Extraction/Harvest to Project Site 485 Miles
Total Material Cost TBD
Percent of Regional Material Cost 22%
Amount of Pre-Consumer Recycled Content 10%

29. Construction Schedules
• Projects are generally under pressure
to complete by the time floor covering
finishes are due
to install
• Fast track systems are available to
allow the floor covering installation to
proceed prior to slab reaching levels
required by floor covering manufacturer
• Select cost and time efficient
systems

30. System Warranties
What is a Performance Warranty?
• Moisture mitigation performance
• Surface prep products (patches, SLUs)
• Flooring adhesives
Single Source Manufacturer Warranties
• Avoid divided responsibility
• Guarantees system compatibility
• Assures performance exceeding minimal standards

31. Case Study
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Joplin, MO
General Contractor: McCarthy
Building Companies
Flooring Contractor: Flooring Systems Inc.
• Built to replace hospital destroyed
by 2011 tornado
• 600,000-square-foot hospital

32. Case Study
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Joplin, MO
General Contractor: McCarthy
Building Companies
Flooring Contractor: Flooring
Systems Inc.
• Hospitals increasingly aware of important
of moisture mitigation /risk of not
mitigating
• 400,000-square-feet of moisture mitigation

33. Case Study
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Joplin, MO
General Contractor: McCarthy
Building Companies
Flooring Contractor: Flooring
Systems Inc.
• Uneven concrete substrate corrected
with self-leveling underlayment
• Fast setting deep fill patch used

34. Case Study
Good Samaritan Regional
Health Center
Mt. Vernon, IL
General Contractor:
McCarthy Building Companies
Flooring Contractor:
Flooring Systems Inc.
• Replaces existing hospital
• Variety of floor and wall coverings – including
carpet tile, porcelain, ceramic and quarry tile,
stone and sheet vinyl

35. Case Study
Mt. Vernon, IL
General Contractor:
McCarthy Building Companies
Flooring Contractor:
Flooring Systems Inc.
• Sheet vinyl – low level of moisture
tolerance
• Flatness requirements
• Self-leveling underlayments, patch, skim
coats, moisture mitigation
Good Samaritan Regional Health Center

36. Review
• Fast-tracked projects, development of land with higher than ideal water
tables, and more sustainable projects have made moisture a concern
• Subfloors should be evaluated for integrity, flatness, contamination and
moisture levels prior to flooring installation
• Moisture related flooring failures are costly, but preventable
• Material selection is critical for success, especially if specifying in different
environments

37. presented by
Custom Concrete Prep & Polish
303-222-2147
Floor Coverings
Performance Challenges in Installiton Systems
1 AIA CES LU
Thank you. If you have any questions related to this course,
please contact Custom Concrete Prep & Polish at
303-222-2147