Preparing Your Floor Before Installation

Subfloors should always be prepared for carpet installation. Below are some suggestions for treating the subfloors prior to installation.

CONCRETE:
Concrete should be cleaned and dried. Concrete should be free of paint, dirt, grease, oil, previous sealers, adhesive removers, and other contaminants. This is especially crucial if installing using an adhesive, as dirty concrete could interfere with the bonding of the new sealer. Whenever a powdery or porous surface is encountered, a primer compatible with the adhesive should be used to provide a suitable surface for new sealer.

Concrete floors should be tested to determine their moisture emission rate. A test kit containing anhydrous calcium chloride should be purchased to prevent future problems.

WOOD:
Subfloors made of wood should have a minimum of 18 inches of air space underneath with cross ventilation prior to carpet installation. Wood should be free of dirt, grease, oil, wax, adhesive removers and other contaminants, as they may interfere with the sealer bonding. Wood joints should also be filled and new and/or sanded floors should be coated with an appropriate primer. Glossy surfaces should always be roughened prior to installation.

If a wood surface is painted, perform a test prior to carpet installation. Glue down a 2-foot square of carpeting. If after 72 hours the bond is strong and the paint does not pull up the carpet, it is generally considered safe to proceed with carpet installation. Be sure to check any carpet warranties, as installation over the painted subfloor may void them.

NOTE: Wood that has been chemically treated for reasons such as flame retardancy and the ability to withstand outdoor exposure might result in unsuccessful installations. Sealers and adhesives may eventually fall prey to chemical degradation when applied to such surfaces. Warranties may be voided as well. Check with the manufacturer.

RESILIENT FLOOR COVERINGS:
Never glue carpet directly onto existing sheet vinyl or vinyl tile, laminate, and rubber flooring products. These materials may contain vinyl plasticizers, which could transfer to the carpet adhesive and loosen the bond.

Applying adhesive over vinyl composition tile (VCT) is acceptable as long as waxes, sealers, floor finishes, adhesive removers, and other contaminants have been removed.

WARNING: CARPET INSTALLATION OVER A SUBFLOOR CAN TRAP MOISTURE, RESULTING IN WIDESPREAD FAILURE OF THE ADHESIVE EVEN IF THE SUBFLOOR HAD NVER PREVIOUSLY SHOWN ANY SIGNS OF MOISTURE. PLEASE NOTE THAT PRIMERS CANNOT OVERCOME MOISTURE CONDITIONS AND MUST NOT BE USED FOR THAT PURPOSE.