Installation Guide Lines for Velvet Carpet:
Stretch-in Installation:
1. Velvet carpet has less stretch in the length than in the width. Tack strip to be used for Velvet is architectural strip with 3 rows of pins to “Tri tack” with 3 rows of pins.
1.2. Architectural strip with three rows of pins or two conventional strip with two rows of pins each, must be used for carpet with heavily latex backs, for most woven and Berber style carpet, and for any carpet in rooms exceeding 30 feet (9m) in length or width. To prevent possible injury to building occupants, the pins on tack strip must not protrude through the carpet be installed.
2. A firm pad should be used, preferably felt, horsehair, wool, rubber or Healthier Choice (frothed polyurethane foam, Greenguard). Note: A soft pad will create looseness and give no support to the carpet. It is not recommended to use masking tape, due to the paper drying out over time. It is also not recommended to use duct tape, because over time it will cause an unevenness from the pad wearing out on each side of the tape. This is the reason it is recommended to use duct tape on stair nosing, to keep the pad from wearing.
2.1 To seam Velvet, there are 2 methods to use; Kool Glide iron or hot melt iron with premium seam tape. All methods require sealing with latex. Seam sealing is mandatory!
Carpet edges at seams must be trimmed using tools and techniques best suited for the carpet style (i.e. loop pile, cut pile and cut & loop pile). Trim edges far enough into the material to maintain the structural integrity of the carpet and to join edges without gaps or overlapping. Note: Although “row-cutting” both edges is preferred, other trimming techniques may be more suitable on some carpet. Many carpets do not lend themselves to all methods of cutting. Some woven carpet selvages must not be trimmed.
2.2 Prior to seaming, both trimmed edges of the carpet sections to be joined must be sealed with an appropriate seam adhesive. Latex seam sealer or thermoplastic adhesives are acceptable.
Direct Glue Installation:
3. Direct Glue – The minimum trowel notch for direct gluing of Velvet is 1/8”x1/8”x1/8” U notch trowel.
Prior to installation some the of the following conditions should be considered:
Carpet must be installed when the indoor temperature is between 65-95 degrees F (18-35 degrees C) with a maximum relative humidity of 65%. If ambient temperatures are outside these perimeters, the installation must not begin until the
HVAC system is operational and these conditions are maintained for at least 48 hours before, during and 72 after completion.
3.1 Before making an adhesive installation, the owner or GC, or their designated testing agent, must submit to the flooring contractor a written report on the vapor emission level and the surface alkalinity of the concrete subfloor.
4. Moisture – Concrete floors, even with adequate curing time, can present an unacceptable moisture condition by allowing excessive amounts of moisture vapor to pass through to the surface. This can be a problem even on suspended concrete floors. Test all concrete floors for moisture emission rates using a hydrous calcium moisture test kit. This quantitative test method must be conducted carefully in strict compliance with ASTM Test Method F 1869. Moisture emission rate is measured in pounds of moisture over a 1000 sq. ft. area during a 24 hour period. Because calcium chloride testing requires a minimum of 60 hours to conduct, proper installation planning is required. As a general guideline, an emission rate of 3.0 lbs. (1.4kg) or less is acceptable unless otherwise specified by the carpet manufacturer.
5. Alkalinity – A pH range of 7-9 is satisfactory for alkalinity, however a reading above 9 requires corrective measures. Perform testing in accordance with ASTM Standard Practice F-710 or consult the adhesive manufacturer for recommended testing and corrective procedures.
6. Adhesive Installations – The owner or GC must have a concrete subfloor tested to determine the moisture emission rate and surface pH prior to installation. Caution: Any concrete floor, even when adequately cured and dry, can allow moisture vapor to pass through to its surface. Depending upon the type of carpet and method of installation, the moisture emission rate greatly influences the long term success of an installation. The use of a properly installed, uncompromised, approved moisture membrane is essential in preventing moisture migration into and through a concrete slab (Ref. ASTM F10).
7. Relaxing/Acclimation – To minimize wrinkling and buckling, and to facilitate installation, it is highly recommended that carpet be unrolled and allowed to relax in the installation area for a minimum of 24 hours at a temperature between 65-95 degrees F (18-35 degrees C). Carpet must be adequately protected from soil, dust, moisture and other contaminants. It is also recommended to pre-cut the carpet prior to acclimation.
8. Ventilation – During installation, maintain fresh ventilation using exhaust fans, and by operating the ventilation system at full capacity. Always exhaust air to the outside to avoid re-circulation. After installation, maintain fresh air ventilation for 48-72 hours at normal room temperature by operating the ventilation or exhaust fan system at full capacity. Open doors and windows, if possible. These procedures help exhaust, dissipate and eliminate lingering odors from the installation.
There should be a minimum pf 18” of air space under wood sub-floors.
9. Primers – Using primers on floor surfaces generally is not required except for sanded wood sheet products, dusty, porous or acoustical concrete surfaces. Priming cannot overcome moisture vapor emissions and must not be used for that purpose. They must be compatible with adhesives, which should be applied only after the primer is cured. Where lightweight or acoustical concrete subfloor is present, refer to manufacturers recommendations for the proper installation procedure to use before the carpet is installed.
10. Liquid adhesive removers – There are a number of liquid adhesive removers available that effectively remove existing adhesive residue from sub-floors; however, there is evidence that some products may adversely affect the new adhesive or the new floor covering. Residues left in or on the concrete slab may cause failure of the new floor adhesive.
11. Sweeping compounds – These compounds may leave residue that interferes with adhesive bonding. They must not be used prior to an adhesive application. Vacuum dusty areas instead.
12. Carpet layout – Layout the carpet according to the seaming diagram. Carpet must be cut 3-4 inches longer that the area measurement. Where applicable, allow for pattern repeat. Align all carpet breadths to their proper position and trim seams.
13. Adhesive application – The floor adhesive must be spread uniformly over the subfloor with the appropriate trowel, leaving ridges of sufficient height to achieve full and complete coverage of the substrate and carpet backing, including penetration into the backing’s deepest recesses. Trowel notches wear down during use. Maintain a clean and properly notched trowel throughout the installation process. After sufficient open time, the carpet must be pressed into the adhesive and rolled with the appropriate weight roller, as specified. Caution: Bond failure most often is caused by: inadequate adhesive application from the incorrect trowel notch size and/or trowel notch configuration * improper adhesive selection or quality * incorrect open time * residual curing and parting compounds * moisture related issues * premature traffic or cleaning before adhesives have adequately cured.
14. Open time – Appropriate open time varies depending upon environmental conditions, subfloor porosity, carpet backing system and adhesive type. Refer to the manufacturer for recommendations regarding open time.
15. Seam adhesive (sealer) – An appropriate direct-glue seam adhesive must be applied to the edges that are trimmed for seaming and cover the thickness of both the primary and secondary backing without contaminating the face yarns. The seam
adhesive is applied to the cut edge of one side only, that side being the first one placed into the floor adhesive. When the edges are butted together to form the seam, and while the seam adhesive still is transferable, this seals the first edge as well as the second.
16. Rolling – After sufficient adhesive application and open time, the carpet must be pressing into the adhesive and rolled with the appropriate roller. Rolling must be performed with the lightest roller that achieves full and complete coverage of the substrate and carpet backing, including penetration into the backing’s deepest recesses. The roller for direct glue installation should be no more than and no less than 75 lbs.
17. All seams should be sealed with the appropriate seam sealer.
Double Glue Installation:
18. Acclimation (relaxing) carpet – Site conditions, environmental and ventilation conditions become even more important when performing double glue installations. In double glue installations, a separate cushion is adhered to the subfloor and the carpet is glue to the cushion
19. Cushion installation – Cushion must be installed in the longest continuous lengths possible with consideration to traffic patterns and carpet seam placement. Cushion seams must be at a right angle (90 degrees) to carpet seams or offset at least six inches. Cushion seams must be butted without compression, and leaving no gaps.
19.1 It is important that the glue have time to off gas and set up. Without time for off gassing, bubbles can appear anywhere from immediately to 6-12 months after installation. The glue should be tacky to the touch, but not transfer onto your finger.
19.2 The recommended pad to be used for double stick installation is a 21 lb. rubber slab pad or Healthier Choice pad. Felt pad and wool pads are NOT recommended for this type of installation.
20. Carpet layout – Layout the carpet according to the seaming diagram. Carpet must be cut 3-4 inches longer than the area measurement. Where applicable, allow for pattern repeat. Align all carpet breadths to their proper position and trim seams. Care must be taken to avoid cutting into cushion under seams.
21. Trowel size for double glue installation, is as follows:
Pad to floor using pressure sensitive glue is 1/16”x1/16”x1/16” square notch trowel.
Carpet to pad with a smooth back carpet, use a 1/8”x1/16”x1/8” U notch trowel.
Carpet to pad with a rough back carpet, use a 1/8”x3/16”x1/8” U notch trowel.
22. The proper roller recommended for a double glue installation is a 35-50 lb. roller. Carpet should be rolled in both directions. After 2-3 hours, the carpet should be rolled again.
23. Pattern adjustment – Pattern adjustment during installation is possible and should be anticipated.
24. Pattern alignment – Match the pattern at the midpoint of the seams length. Work from the seam’s midpoint to the seams ends, bringing the pattern into register using appropriate
tools that might include; power stretcher * knee kicker * dead man * “dry” line * stay nails * crab stretcher.
25. Curing adhesives – It is highly recommended that traffic over field applied adhesive installation be restricted for a minimum of 24 – 48 hours to allow adhesives to cure properly. Premature trafficking can cause installation failure. Restrict carpet exposure to water from cleaning or other sources for a minimum of 30 days.
26. Materials for protection – If required to protect the finished floor covering from soil or paint, or if additional work is to be done after the installation, cover it with a non-staining building material paper. Protect the installation from rolling traffic by using sheets of hardboard or plywood in potentially affected areas. Caution: Do not place plastic sheeting over any carpet installation because it may present a slip hazard and may leave residues that result in rapid soiling after removal. In addition, it may trap moisture, which may promote mold growth, and retard adhesive curing.
27. Maintain temperature – Do not allow the temperature of indoor carpet areas to fall below 50 degrees F (10 degrees C), regardless of the age of installation.