Important updates to know in prior to using some of the chemical construction products

1. Maximum thickness of the Tile adhesive shall be applied on the bonded waterproofing membrane shall be 10mm and for un-bonded waterproofing membrane shall be 6mm.

2. Relative humidity and dry/wet conditions:

    RH :      Situation

    0 to 30 : Very dry

    30 to 50 : Moderate

    50 : Very good condition for any application.

    50 to 100 : Wet / damp / moist

3. Prior to the application of coatings/adhesives on Gypsum substrates, surface shall be primed. The use of a primer ensures that the coating/adhesive will have sufficient open time, working time, and yields correct coverage. At the same time, coating/adhesive may require more drying time.

4. It is important to follow the guide lines provided in OSHA Silica Standard Housekeeping Guidelines while the application of coating, flooring, tiling, grouting, etc. works at site level.

5. Standard water-borne vinyl adhesives are based on the technology of wet set and pressure sensitive. Hence, while installation of Vinyl; Heavy roller shall not be used for rolling. Also, these type of adhesive are not good for area where expected to withstand excessive rolling and point loads, such as those imparted by hospital beds, in either their mobile (dynamic load) or stationary position (static load), and related hospital, office and institutional equipment.

6. How to test application is dry or not? Pour water onto the surface of the application in several areas and rub it with your finger. If the water remains clear, the application is dry. If the water turns cloudy or milky or changes it colour as of application, additional drying time is required.

7. Physical States of Water changes at:

a. Solid state (e.g. ice) occurs at temperature below freezing point 0 Deg C or 32 Deg F. (Ice)

b. Gaseous state (e.g. water vapour) occurs at temperatures 100 Deg C or 212 Deg F

c. Liquid state (e.g. sea water) occurs between freezing and boiling point temperatures (32 Deg F – 212 Deg F).

d. Dew point of temperature between 21 Deg C to 32 Deg C and relative humidity between 40% to 100%. So be careful with the temperature and humidity as both create the water at anytime, location may be internal or external, may it a floor, wall or ceiling.

8. Tile/stone Toughness Index : If the value of toughness index comes below 13 in impact test, then the stone is not tough. If the value comes in between 13 & 19 then stone is said to be moderately tough and if it exceeds 19 then stone is said to be highly tough.

Should you have any questions on this information, please comment below…

Note on substrate preparation:

How to prepare the substrate applied with Curing compounds: 

Some of the curing compounds may be of biodegradable and may not be. Curing compounds act as a bond breakers inhibiting subsequent application to bond to the substrate. Therefore, it is necessary to make sure that surface is completely free from residue of curing compound by Bond tape test, Peel-off test method or by Pull-out test method. It is always better to do simple metal wire grinding and proceed further with o doubts at all.

How to prepare the new concrete surface: 

Concrete substrates must be solid. Overwatered, frozen or otherwise weak concrete must be removed mechanically to provide a sound base and be free of oil, grease, wax, dirt, asphalt, curing and sealing compounds, latex and gypsum compounds, dust, paint, or any other contaminant which might act as a bond breaker. Allow the concrete to cure a minimum of 28 days, and repair any cracks before proceeding further. As drying and shrinkage of green concrete can results in telegraphing cracks in the subsequent application and also subsequent application will not bond the substrate because of release of moisture.

How to prepare the substrate with moisture content more than 5%:

Do not work, allow the entrapped moisture to release or make some arrangement of heat creating light, fans etc.  Search the passage for the rising moisture and treat it properly. If any moisture barrier / moisture resistant / moisture tolerant coating / primer / or floor screed is specified, take the complete instructions / guarantee / warrantee along with the well trained applicator for the job and follow complete specification of manufacturer.

How to prepare the existing concrete surface: 

Concrete substrates must be solid. Overwatered, frozen or otherwise weak concrete must be removed mechanically to provide a sound base. In addition, concrete should be evaluated for moisture, and be free of oil, grease, wax, dirt, asphalt, curing and sealing compounds, latex and gypsum compounds, dust, paint, or any other contaminant which might act as a bond breaker.

How to prepare Sealer applied surface: 

Sealers does not react / oxidize / flake off with UV rays, air, water, stains. Some sealers contain bond-breaking oils, waxes, resins or rubbers, it is always better to do simple metal wire grinding and proceed further with o doubts at all.

Should you have any questions on this information, please comment below…