METHOD STATEMENT FOR LAYING OF FORBO VINYL FLOOR COVERINGS. A. BEFORE BEGINNING THE JOB Before installation, a visit to the job site is recommended to confirm conditions and floor measures. Install flooring after all other finishing operations, especially overhead trades have been completed. When sparkling and painting, substrate should be covered to prevent adhesion problems.
B.
MOISTURE CONTENT OF THE BARE CONCRETE SUBSTRATE
MOISTURE TESTING SHALL BE DONE ON ALL CONCRETE SLABS REGARDLESS OF AGE OF GRADE LEVEL. METHOD OF TEST 1. By using an instrument known as Concrete Moisture Encounter. Vinyl layings are only recommended when the reading of the test is 5 and below. Once the reading exceeds 5, the application of moisture barrier contents have to be done. 2. MOISTURE AND RELATIVE HUMIDITY (RH) TESTING Under the BS standards (BS 8203), the sub-floor RH reading must not exceed 75%, hence if the sub-floor RH reading exceeds 75%, suitable waterproofing membrane must be done prior to installation. NOTE: Moisture and RH test results are indicative of the conditions present at the time of the testing. Test results should be documented, as moisture conditions which occur after the floor covering installation is completed are not the responsibility of the installer.
C. PREPARING A BARE CONCRETE SUBSTRATE 1. FLOOR MUST BE CLEAN. Sub-floor must be sound, clean and the surface visibly dry. Concrete bases and sand/cement screeds must be fully cured and laitance, surface hardeners or curing membranes must be removed, and conform to dryness requirements. Direct to earth bases must incorporate a damp proof membrane. 2. It is essential that all sub-floors are solid, smooth, flat even, permanently dry, clean, and free of all foreign materials such as dust, paint, grease, oils, solvents, curing and hardening compounds, sealers asphalt and old adhesive residue. D. SELF - LEVELLING SMOOTHING COMPOUND UNDERLAYMENT 1. Most sub-floor will require priming prior to application of self-leveling smoothing compound. Concrete floors which are extremely rough or out of level shall be prepared using a cementitious self leveling underlayment. The mix may be applied to any thickness in one application and taken down to a feather edge as required. For best results, an overall thickness of 3mm should be maintained. Gypsum based products are not acceptable. *Note: For Biologically Sensitive Areas, please request for PROTEIN FREE Self Leveling Compound. E.
INSTALLATION OF FORBO FLOOR COVERINGS
1. The Floor Coverings will be cut to size according to the design requirement and allow for setting of up to 24 hours. 2. After the setting time is over, the floor covering is ready to be installed. The surface of the substrate floor must be cleaned and free of dust and dirt. The approved adhesive will be applied on to the substrate floor using the adhesive trowel to the correct dosage spreading evenly. 3. Immediately after the adhesive has be applied, the floor covering will be laid on top of the sub-strate floor. In order for the floor covering to be firmly glued to the sub-strate floor roller will be used to roll over the floor covering to the correct pressure. 4. All joins heat welding should be carried out after the flooring adhesive has set, usually the following day.
*Note: Water based acrylic adhesives resistant to plasticizer must be used for Vinyl Flooring and Water based linoleum acrylic adhesives for linoleum .
F.
PROTECTION
1. To prevent any damage or marks on new floor, it is advisable to stop any work or foot traffic for at least 12 hours after installation. If work or foot traffic must be conducted on new floor, it is advisable to prepare the floor with protection such as corrugated board or plywood. 2.
