User Manual Q&AAnswer
Apr 19, 2025 - 02:41 AM
Before applying LATICRETE self-leveling and moisture mitigation products, it is crucial to properly prepare the substrate. Here are the general steps to follow:
1. Verify Building Envelope: Ensure that a suitable ambient temperature range is maintained and that the substrate temperature is at least 4°C during primer application and drying time. The air temperature should be between 10°C and 32°C during primer application and drying time.
2. Verify Substrate Deflection: Confirm that the substrate can support the anticipated loads and does not exceed industry standards for the type of finished flooring to be installed.
3. Remove Bond Breakers: Ensure that the substrate is clean and free of any contaminants that may act as bond breakers, such as oil, wax, grease, sealers, curing compounds, asphalt, paint, deicing agents, dust, dirt, and loose surface material. Use mechanical means like shot blasting or scarifying to remove contaminants down to clean, absorptive, structurally sound concrete.
4. Conduct Water Drop Test: Use the LATICRETE PRIMER Dilution chart and Water Drop Test chart provided in the manual to determine the absorption and dilution ratio when using PRIMER. This test helps determine if the concrete is absorptive and suitable for self-leveling product installations.
5. Conduct Moisture Testing: Test the concrete slabs for moisture conditions according to the finish flooring manufacturer's specifications. LATICRETE self-leveling products can be installed over concrete with up to 100% relative humidity, provided there is no visible surface water. If moisture mitigation is needed, use a LATICRETE Vapour Reduction Coating (VRC).
6. Address Expansion Joints, Control Joints, Movement Joints, and Cracks: Honor all types of active/dynamic joints and cracks in the substrate. Moving joints or cracks can transfer up through self-leveling and moisture mitigation products, potentially causing cracks in the finish flooring.
7. Repair Active Cracks: Refer to industry guidelines for evaluation and repair of cracks in concrete. Self-leveling underlayment application over dynamic cracks is not recommended.
8. Fill Non-Active Cracks: Non-moving (static) cracks may be filled as required for leakage prevention using a LATICRETE mortar or LATICRETE VRC.
9. Evaluate Areas Around Walls and Other Building Elements: Anticipate movement and isolate areas where self-leveling abuts restraining surfaces. Attach a temporary compressible isolation strip to the perimeter walls, columns, protrusions, etc. to accommodate building movement.
10. Follow Specific Substrate Preparation for Different Substrates: The manual provides detailed instructions for preparing different substrates such as high-suction concrete, non-suction concrete, cutback adhesives, plywood, poured gypsum underlayment, STRATA_MAT, and more. Follow the specific instructions for each substrate type.
Remember to consult the project specifications for any special substrate preparation or conditions that may apply. Proper substrate preparation is essential for successful installations of LATICRETE self-leveling and moisture mitigation products.
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