INSTALLATION INFORMATION
INTRODUCTION

The following installation recommendations and instructions that apply to most applications has been prepared. Only factory-approved adhesives are to be used for the warranty to be valid.

DISCLAIMER:

The following instructions conform to commonly accepted installation procedures for rubber flooring products. Neither The Mat King a d/b/a of Geoffrey Drew Marketing, Inc. nor the manufacturer will accept any liability whatsoever for any incorrect implementation of these instructions or for any failure in the installation. The following information is provided for general guidance only. Neither The Mat King a d/b/a of Geoffrey Drew Marketing, Inc. nor the manufacturer assumes any responsibility whatsoever for the actual work performed, nor for loss or damage that may result from the use of this information, due to the possibility of processing, working conditions and workmanship beyond and outside our control. The installation of rubber flooring must be performed by skilled labor with a provedn record. Users are advised to verify the suitability of the products, their application and installation conditions by their own varification and tests.
WARRANTY EXTENDS ONLY TO THE QUALITY OF THE FLOORING PRODUCTS.

1) MATERIAL HANDLING, STORAGE AND INSPECTION:
A. Check all tiles for color and profile. Check for completeness of order. Do not mix different dye-lots of the same color; dye-lot numbers are indicated on the packaging.

B. Store tiles off the ground and out of the elements. DO NOT STACK SKIDS OR OTHER MATERIAL ON RUBBER TILES. Always store rolls in a vertical position.

C. If the tiles are to be re-packed, for return or storage, they must be stacked profile to profile and back to back.

D. Prior to installation, the rubber flooring products and the adhesives must be conditioned to an ambient temperature, at the actual site, of not less than 15° C (60° F) to not more than 26° C (80° F). In severe climates a seven-day conditioning period may be necessary before installation takes place. Such temperature range must be maintained also during installation and curing of the adhesive.

2) GENERAL CONDITIONS:

A. Expansion Joints: No attempt should be made to lay tiles over slab expansion joints. Instead, tiles should stop 6" before the joint on either side and the joint should be capped with an expansion plate, which is fastened to the slab on one side only, allowing for the joint to slide without restriction.

B. Extreme Heat from the Sun: The use of blowers or radiant heater during the adhesive cure will cause the tiles to swell and peak. During the period 24 hours before installation and throughout the adhesive curing period, the sub-floor temperature should not be colder than 15° C (60° F) or warmer than 29° C (85° F). Sunshades must be used in areas where direct sun is present.

C. Hydrostatic Pressure: Rubber flooring products will not adhere where "hydrostatic pressure" is present. This condition requires use of a permanent effective moisture barrier. This is an engineering problem and should be referred to an engineering company. A moisture condition of 3 lbs. per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours is the maximum allowable.

D. Adhesion Test: Under some possibly critical conditions an Adhesion Test should be performed. The purpose of the test is to verify if there is a good bond to the sub-floor and transfer of adhesive to the back of the flooring and to the sub-floor. This test should last at least 72 hours. After this time the removal of the rubber flooring should be hard, with some delaminating and the adhesive should remain bonded to both the sub-floor and the rubber flooring. This test will also serve the purpose of verifying that the conditions of installation are suitable to receive the floor covering.

3) SUBFLOOR PREPARATION: CONCRETE

A. On-grade and below-grade sub-floors must be protected against ground moisture with an adequate membrane moisture barrier to prevent moisture migration or water vapor transmission.

B. New concrete should be cured at least 28 days prior to installation. A neutral pH is necessary for installation. If the pH is greater than 9, it must be neutralized prior to instalation.

C. Adequate moisture testing must be done. Not more than lbs per 1,000 square feet per 24 hours moisture content using a calcium chlorine test is acceptable. Testing for acceptable levels of moisture is mandatory for slabs below and on grade.

D. The concrete surface should be dry and clean. The surface should be level, without surface imperfections which would telegraph through the rubber flooring. The surface should be flat within 1/8" in 10 feet. The surface should look like medium grade closed-coat sandpaper.

E. Concrete slabs are often treated with Curing Compounds, Sealers and Hardeners. These treatments must be removed by mechanical methods from the surface by bead blasting or terrazzo grinding.

F. All existing paints, grease, old adhesive and oil must be removed from the slab.

G. Floor Patch: Cracks, depressions and rough surfaces should be filled with a top quality leveling Portland Cement mixture with at least 2000 PSI. Do not use Gypsum filler.

4) SUBFLOOR PREPARATION: WOOD

Rubber Flooring should not be installed on wood subfloors that are directly in contact with concrete subfloors on or below grade. Installation over slatted wood floors is not recommended. The natural cupping of slatted wood flooring can telegraph through to the rubber flooring. Exterior plywood of double layer construction, minimum 1” thickness, is recommended. Particleboard, chipboard and hardboard are not acceptable. If existing floor shows any delamination it should be replaced before installation.

A. Existing wood floors should be smooth, dry, and clean and must have all existing paint, wax, varnish or oil removed. Sweep or vacuum to remove dust prior to installation.

B. Wood subfloor must have proper ventilation and be protected from wet and dry rot.

C. Protruding nails must be leveled, loose wood panels must be secured and all gaps must be filled.

4) SUBFLOOR PREPARATION: STEEL

A. Installation on steel subfloor is most commonly found in public transportation vehilces, marine vessles, elevators, ramps and stairwells.
All surfaces must be dry and clean of all existing material. Paint, oil, or old flooring material and old adhesives must be removed. For best adhesion results a light grinding and cleaning with a strong detergent is recommended.
The surface must be flat and free of imperfections and of any unevenness and elements that
would cause telegraphing and that could negatively impact the structure of the floor covering.

B. The subfloor must be supported and stable from flexing. If flexing of the floor is apparent it must be secured prior to the application of the rubber flooring.

C. Given the type of subfloor and the possible presence of oils, paints, finishing, fastening elements, etc, the installation on steel (or other metal) are more likely to require a test installation prior to proceeding.

D. Only a two-part polyurethane adhesive (i.e. Mapei G19 or G21) is recommended. Do not use one component acrylic adhesives

6) EXISTING FLOOR RECOMMENDATION:

Old floor coverings should be removed completely. In cases where rubber flooring will be installed over Terrazzo, Ceramic or Quarry tile, the old tiles or terrazzo must be abraded thoroughly to remove glaze and waxes. Any loose tiles must be removed, level grout lines and
other empty spaces with an approved commercial Portland type floor fill material. Application of any floor fill material should be done at least 24 hours prior to the start of the actual installation work. The area should be sanded before installation. Epoxy can also be used as a filler or leveling agent only if slight leveling is necessary.

Other surfaces or applications: Contact The Mat King for recommendations not addressed above.

7) ADHESIVES: Where possible, use only Solvent free and Non-flammable products.

o MAPEI G19 or G21: Two-part polyurethane (for standard rubber flooring and for application on metal and other subfloors that may flex)
o The Mat King EP3100: Two-part epoxy (for standard rubber flooring)
o The Mat King EP3100 ESD: Two-part conductive epoxy (for static dissipative rubber flooring)

One-gallon unit covers approximately 100 square feet and has a one-year shelf life. The epoxy must be in an even temperature of 21° C (70° F) +/-10° for 24 hours prior to mixing. Mix content of part B (Curing Agent) into larger part A (Resin) can.

DO NOT MIX ON THE FLOOR.

Mix using a standard paint paddle, a 1/4 drill or a "Jiffy Blade". Epoxy cannot be hand mixed. Drill mix the epoxy until uniform color is obtained.

WARNING: Do not cover mix, use low RPM drill. Application: Pour mixed material on the sub-floor and trowel the adhesive using a 1/16" square notched trowel. DO NOT MIX MORE THAN ONE UNIT AT ONE TIME.

DO NOT USE RE-NOTCHED TROWELS.

Better quality trowels will last at least through the application of five units of epoxy depending on the actual surface.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PROPER USE OF ADHESIVES ARE PRINTED ON THE LABELS. IF THERE ARE ANY QUESTIONS CALL BEFORE PROCEEDING. SAFETY DATA INFORMATION ON ADHESIVES IS AVAILABLE ON REQUEST.

8) INSTALLATION OF RUBBER TILES:

A. Dry-lay the entire floor tile area. Check the tiles for possible imperfections or defects including trim, thickness and color. Replace any defective material prior to adhesion.

B. Define the center point of end walls and connect them by striking a chalk line down the middle of the room. On this line, strike a chalk line connecting the sidewalls which will divide the room into quarters.

C. A line indicating the space for fitting border tiles should be made. Measure the distance to each wall to provide a half tile or larger border for the completion of the installation. Adjust the center line to accommodate this requirement.

D. Line up the first row of tiles with a string line or a straight edge. Lay a second row either Ashlar (Brick pattern) or point to point aligning the studs, squares or ribs very carefully. Tiles may be butted corner, whether point to point or Ashlar. It is important not to pressure fit the joints.
IMPORTANT: CLAIMS WILL NOT BE HONORED FOR COLOR VARIATIONS OR SURFACE BLEMISHES ONCE TILES HAVE BEEN CUT AND/OR GLUED TO THE FLOOR.

E. Immediately lay the pre-cut tiles into the adhesive. Do not pressure fit the joints. Rubber floor tiles have a natural expansion factor and do not have to be pressure-fitted. If more than normal installation foot traffic is necessary prior to 24 hours, cover the floor with plywood in traffic areas.

F. Using a 100 lb. roller, roll the tiles diagonally in two directions. A second rolling should be done after one hour. THERE SHOULD BE NO FOOT TRAFFIC AFTER THE SECOND ROLLING FOR AT LEAST 12 HOURS.

G. When spreading the adhesive, always overlap the seam area with adhesive to ensure sufficient bonding of the seams. Make sure to remove fresh adhesive with a clean damp rag and to do so before it starts to cure.

9) INSTALLATION OF RUBBER ROLLS:

The overlapping and double-cutting procedure is recommended.

A. Measure the room and mark the center line planning the laying of the rolls in a way to reduce cuts and scraps.

B. Unroll each roll and allow them to relax before cutting and fitting. To achieve this, back rolling of
the material may be necessary.

C. Loose lay the roll (without adhesive) following the marked line. Rolls must be laid with an
approximately 1.0”–1.5” (~ 3.0 cm) overlap along the adjoining edges to allow for the double
cutting procedure.
Check for uniformity of the color and absence of defects prior to starting the actual cutting.

D. Cut cleanly through both sheets and dry-lay in position the entire installation. Precut cross seam
before application of the adhesive. All seams must have a neat and precise fit.

E. Fold back the rolls just over half of the length. Spread the adhesive using a notched trowel and
carefully roll the rubber flooring into wet adhesive making sure that seams are aligned and fit. Do
not press-fit or force the seam together. (This would cause peaking) Take care not to twisting the
roll or trapping air bubbles. Repeat the operation for the other half of the roll.

F. Roll the installed area slowly with a 100 lbs sectional roller. Roll first from the center toward the
seams to remove the trapped air bubbles and then roll lengthwise. Gently hand-roll all the seams.

G. After 1 hour, re-roll the entire area in both directions with a roller and re-roll the seams.

H. The application of weights (bricks or sand bags) is recommended to avoid peaking of the seams.

IMPORTANT NOTE
Remove all fresh adhesives with damp clean rag during the course of installation. Adhesive will be difficult
or impossible to remove after curing has started. Check the adhesive bond over the entire floor. Do not
allow any foot traffic or other traffic for 12 hours and no heavy foot traffic for 24 hours. Protect the laid
surface during and after construction from other construction trades for up to 2 days. Avoid initial cleaning
of the finished floor for 72 hours.

10) INSTALLATION OF RUBBER STAIR TREADS:

These instructions refer to the application of our rubber stair treads using contact adhesive.

A. Adhesive Preparation

Please follow the instructions indicated on the label of cans of the adhesive.

NOTE: Only contact adhesive approved by The Mat King a d/b/a of Geoffrey Drew Marketing, Inc. can be used for the application of our rubber stair treads. For safety reasons, always use non-flammable contact adhesive.

B. Adhering the Stair Treads

Apply a uniformed even coat of the contact adhesive to the sub-floor and the back of the stair tread with a medium nap paint roller.

IMPORTANT!! In some installations, it may not be necessary to adhere the vertical part of the nosing.

The grooves on the back of stair treads (between the tread and riser) should not be filled with the adhesive.

The applied adhesive should be allowed to dry (10-30 minutes) until dry to touch. Drying time will depend on temperature and humidity. Drying is to allow solvent gases to escape. If contact between the stair tread and sub-floor is made too soon - when the adhesive is still wet - the gases may cause the rubber stair treads to bubble.

Roll the stair treads with the roller to assure proper bond. Excessive adhesive can be cleaned off by using Rubbing Alcohol.

NOTE: Contact adhesive has instant adhesion. Particular attention has to be paid to avoid adhering the rubber stair tread in the wrong position.

               

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THE MAT KING
740 West End Avenue; Suite 1
New York, NY 10025 USA

Phone: (646)998-4208
Fax: (646)998-4073
Phone: 800-442-6544
Fax: 800-Mats-Fax (628-7329)
Phone: 800-442-6544
Fax: 800-Mats-Fax (628-7329)