Burke Flooring Stair Tread Installation - Manual (Page 2)

Page 2
Burke Flooring Products, a Division of Burke Industries
2250 South Tenth Street, San Jose CA 95112
(408) 297-3500
In rooms that are exposed to intense or direct sunlight, protect the materials from
the sunlight during storage, conditioning before and after, and installation.
Excessive UV exposure can cause fading and/or color variation.
B. Sub-floor Types:
1. Wood Stairs
Wood staircases must be smooth, flat, clean, & dry. They must be securely nailed and
stable. Fill all cracks, deformations, and depressions with a cement-type latex
patching compound, or Nose-Filler Epoxy. Let patching compound dry thoroughly,
and then sand smooth. Do not install over old resilient flooring, or adhesives. Clean
all steps thoroughly before installing new material. Remove old adhesives by physical
means only (sanding, scraping, etc), do not use any chemicals or solvents.
2. Concrete Stairs
Concrete steps must be tested for moisture in accordance with ASTM F2169
“Standard Test Method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete
Sub floor using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride”. Insure that your floor is porous
and breathing well before performing the test. If it is non-porous, then sand it with
very abrasive sandpaper to open it up. It is porous enough when a few drops of
water dropped on the surface readily absorb within 30 seconds . One test per every
1,000 sq. ft. of floor space and test results cannot exceed 3 pounds per 1,000 sq.
ft. in 24 hours. If the test results exceed 3 pounds, the floor is not good for an
installation. The moisture problem must be corrected first. If the ph of the
concrete exceeds 9, the surface should be neutralized before continuing.
Note: Keep in mind, that even if a moisture test shows that the slab has
acceptable moisture levels, it is only at the time of the test that the levels
were acceptable. It is possible for the weather, sprinkler systems, or other
causes to bring the slab to unacceptable levels of moisture.
Therefore, it is very important that some moisture vapor control and
prevention was built for the slab as well, in the way of a moisture barrier. If
no moisture barrier exists, then one must be installed. Any on or below
grade slab should have a moisture barrier, according to industry standards.
These Recommendations are about our products ability to bond to sub
floors; the performance and warranty of said sub floors should be addressed
with the manufacturer of said items.