Burke Flooring Rubber Tile and 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
Perform RMC/Calcium Chloride test to test for proper dryness conditions.
2. RMA/Calcium Chloride Moisture Test
a. The RMA moisture test provides a specific moisture reading for a
limited area of the concrete slab. This procedure is the preferred way
to judge the moisture content of the concrete substrate in question.
Test kits can be purchased from your local flooring supplies
distributor. Follow instructions in the kit.
b. The RMA (“Calcium Chloride”) test should be conducted after the
HVAC has been turned on and the area being installed has been
appropriately acclimated. False readings are possible if the area is not
brought to normal operating temperatures for at least 5 days. If the
readings are above 5 pounds per 1,000 square feet, DO NOT INSTALL!
3. Concrete Sub-floor Condition: The concrete sub-floor should be dry, clean,
non-scaled and free of dust, and flat to within 1/8" in 10 linear feet. The
surface should also be finished to a texture similar to 100 grit sandpaper. If
the concrete is glazed or very smooth, it must be thoroughly sanded or shot
blasted (see B-2) to assure proper adhesion. Remove all dust by vacuuming.
4. An adhesion test of at least 24 hour duration should be performed.
This is the safest check for bonding success to determine if curing
compounds, other adhesive bond-breakers or too smooth a surface are
present.
a. Adhesion Test – First, determine sub-floor temperature using a floor
thermometer, noting the cure rate chart under Section IV B.2., then
determine moisture content (see II A-3).
b. The installer should make an adhesive bonding test (at least one per
every thousand square feet). Cut Rubber tile tile into 9" x 9" pieces and
install them using the recommended adhesive. These test patches
should remain in place for a minimum of 24 hours to determine if
there is good bond to the sub-floor and also to observe if there is
sufficient transfer of adhesive both to the sub-floor and to the back of
the floor tile.
c. Removing the test patches from the sub-floor should be difficult with
most of the cured adhesive remaining bonded to the sub-floor. If
proper bond is not accomplished, do not proceed with the installation.
Contact Burke Flooring or your Endura distributor.