Lowe s Kraus Regent 20-in x 20-in Hollow Multi-level Loop Full Spread Installation Guide
- June 3, 2024
- Lowe s
Table of Contents
Lowe s Kraus Regent 20-in x 20-in Hollow Multi-level Loop Full Spread
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
Make sure you inspect carpet tile prior to installation. No claims will be honored if tile are installed with visible defects. Read all instructions prior to beginning installation. Also refer to the most recent CRI standard for additional information. Note: It is recommended that Installers lay out 9-16 tiles first, in the desired installation, and get end user approval of the installation method before installing.
SITE & TILE MATERIAL CONDITIONING
Floor temperatures must be a minimum of 65° for 24 hours prior to
installation. Floor temperature can usually vary 5-10° lower than room
temperature. Carpet Tile must be conditioned to room temperature for 24 hours
prior to installation. Relative humidity must be between 10-65% maximum for 24
hours prior to installation. These conditions must remain constant and be
maintained for 48 hours after completion of installation.
PREPARATION
It is the owner’s or general contractor’s responsibility to provide an
acceptable substrate for the specified installation, which must also be
inspected by the installation contractor prior to installation. The subfloor
must be clean, dry and free of dirt, oil, grease, paint and non-compatible
adhesives or coatings, including old cut-back adhesive. Existing adhesive
trowel ridges must be leveled by scraping, sanding or patching prior to
adhesive application to ensure proper pressure sensitive adhesive contact. All
cracks should be filled using a Portland base leveling or patching compound.
Use of latex additive in lieu of water will create better bonding properties.
Do not install over hazardous materials such as asbestos, resin or silicate
based curing compounds. Do not use oil or silicate based sweeping compounds.
Bond tests must be performed over concrete with unidentified sealers or
primers. Apply a high-quality, pressure sensitive carpet adhesive and tile in
a 4 ft. area and let set for 24 hours then check to assure a good adhesive
bond to the floor.
SURFACE PREPARATION
Dust, dirt, debris, and noncompatible adhesive must be removed before
installation begins. Surfaces must be smooth and level with all holes and
cracks filled with latex based Portland cement patching compound.
LATEX ADHESIVES
Must be removed and floors sanded or covered with a skim coat of Portland
patching compound. Latex adhesive may also be covered with the adhesive
manufacturer’s approved adhesive sealer. Note: Failure to remove or seal old
latex adhesive may cause installation failure, plasticizer migration,
shifting, buckling or edge curling; these conditions will not be covered under
warranty.
CUT BACK ADHESIVES
Must be wet scraped and covered with the adhesive manufacturer’s approved
adhesive sealer. Note: Failure to remove or seal old cut back adhesive may
cause installation failure, plasticizer migration, shifting, buckling or edge
curling; these conditions will not be covered under warranty.
MOISTURE TESTING
Subfloor surfaces must be tested for moisture content. It is the
responsibility of the general contractor and/or installer to perform moisture
tests prior to starting the installation. Kraus® recommends that calcium
chloride tests be performed to detect the presence of moisture. Acceptable
results require that moisture content does not exceed 3lbs. per 1,000 square
feet per 24 hours. Carpet tiles will not resolve moisture problem. Substrate
must have a maximum Ph level of 9. Note: Moisture emissions in excess of the
recommended levels can cause the adhesive to chemically break down and fail.
This condition can result in shifting, buckling, or edge curling of the tiles.
SUBFLOORS
- New Concrete
New concrete must be fully cured and free of moisture. New concrete requires a curing period of approximately 90 days. Tests for moisture and alkalinity must be performed as detailed under moisture testing.
- Old Concrete
Old concrete should be checked for moisture. Dry, dusty, porous floors must be sealed. Sealers will not correct a moisture problem.
- Wood
Wood floors must be smooth and level. If floor is uneven, an appropriate underlayment may be required. Old finishes must be tested for compatibility with adhesives or removed and porous wood sealed.
- Terrazzo / Marble Level all grout lines with a latex based Portland cement patching compound. Glossy surfaces must be sanded for adhesive bond.
- Hard Surfaces
Carpet tiles must be well secured to the floor or removed. Broken, damaged, or loose tiles must be replaced. Wax must be removed from VCT before applying adhesive. Existing sheet vinyl is not a suitable substrate for tile installation and should be removed.
OLD CARPET
Remove old carpet and check adhesive for compatibility. If unsure remove or
cover adhesive with a Portland based patching compound or appropriate sealer.
APPLYING ADHESIVE
Kraus® Inc. requires using a high-quality, pressure sensitive carpet adhesive
for the installation of EuroBacTM Carpet tiles. The subfloor should be scraped
clean of old adhesive, and thoroughly swept before applying adhesive. The
adhesive should be spread in one quadrant at a time, and should be spread only
over areas that you will install in the current day. The full spread adhesive
application method is required for EuroBacTM tiles. The adhesive must be
spread using a 1/32 x 1/16 x 1/32 “U” notch trowel. The entire area should be
covered with adhesive. The adhesive should be given adequate time to dry
completely until it becomes clear and tacky. Drying times will vary based on
local conditions but can be greatly reduced by using circulating fans. The
adhesive is ready for installation when you can place your hand in the glue
and remove it with no transfer to your hand. One gallon pail will cover
180-250 sq. ft./ gal. depending on the condition of the subfloor.
LAYOUT
Begin the layout by carefully marking working lines on the floor surface to
act as the starting position and guide for your carpet tile installation.
First, determine that your room is as square as possible: Take measurements to
determine the center of the room and snap two chalk lines that intersect at
the center of the room. These lines will provide a guide for squareness as you
install the carpet tile as well as divide your room into 4 manageable
quadrants.*It may be necessary to offset the centerline to ensure that
perimeter tiles are no less than 12″ (half of a tile). Position the first tile
at the intersection of the horizontal and vertical layout lines, dry lay a few
tiles in one of the recommended installation methods for that particular
product (monolithic, quarter turn, ashlar, etc.), to give you and the customer
indication of the overall appearance.
To verify that the lines are square with each other measure 12′ from the center point up the length and make a mark. On the same horizontal quadrant line measure 9′ across the width and make a mark, the diagonal measurement between the two marks should be exactly 15′ if your lines are square. If your measurement is not 15′ adjust your lines accordingly (see Figure A).
TILE PLACEMENT
Starting in the corner of one quadrant, install carpet tiles in a pyramid
fashion. Install by butting edges together evenly, being careful not to
compress tile (this can cause peaked edges). Arrows are embossed or printed on
the tile backing to show pile direction. Unless instructions are stated for
quarter turn installation, always lay tile with the arrows in the same
direction.
CUTTING / TRIMMING
Carpet tile will require cutting at perimeters, floor electrical outlets, and
door openings. Whenever tile are cut or trimmed, adhesive must be used. Loop
pile tile may require some trimming or clipping of tufts. This is typical of
this type construction and is not a manufacturing problem. Small pieces of
tile should also have glue applied to the backing to help hold them in place.
FLATWIRE CABLE / TRENCH HEADERS
Flatwire cables are easily accessible when carpet tile are used. Cable should
be centered under tile and no adhesive used unless approved by the
manufacturer. Trench headers require a control grid of adhesive on either side
of header panels to prevent movement.
STAIRS
Use a raised stair nosing and cut tiles to fit nosing, both step and riser.
Use full spread adhesive under carpet tile.
FINISHED INSTALLATION
When heavy furniture and wheeled traffic is moved over carpet tiles, use
plywood runner to avoid tile shifting. Roll entire job with 75-100 lbs roller
after completion of installation.
CHAIR PADS
Chair pads are recommended for use under chairs with roller casters. Casters
should be the flat round type with 5/8″ to 1″ width minimum. If chair pads are
not used, the appearance of the carpet tile will decrease and maintenance
and/or shifting of the tile may be required more frequently.
LOOP PILE CONSTRUCTION
Carpet tile with loop pile constructions may experience yarn blossoming at the
edges, which is consistent with this type of construction. Clipping or
shearing the yarn edges can remedy this condition.
TILE ARRANGEMENT
Some carpet styles require more attention from the installers during
installation. Due to the light row, dark row construction of these products,
dark lines may appear at the edges. This is not a manufacturing defect. These
products will require shifting tiles around to avoid dark lines at the edges.
Certain carpet tile styles are recommended for different installation methods
than others. (e.g. Some styles are recommended for quarter-turn only while
others are more flexible). Check the product specification for the
manufacturer’s recommended installation methods for each particular carpet
tile style.
REPLACEMENT TILES
On occasion, it may be necessary to replace damaged or heavily soiled carpet
tile. Tiles can be replaced with new tiles from onsite inventory or from other
areas of the installation. A difference of appearance may be noticed when tile
are replaced; this difference usually diminishes in a short time. The
procedures listed above are our best recommendations for installing EuroBacTM
tile. This document is available upon request or on our web site at
www.krausflooring.com. If you have further questions or require additional
information, please contact your sales representative.