Burke Flooring Wall Base User Manual

Installation Instructions -- RESILIENT TILE FLOORING 09 65 19

Wall Base Installation Instructions

Burke RubberMyte and Mercer Vinyl Wall Base

Preparation:

The flooring installation must be completed before installing RubberMyte or Mercer Vinyl Base. The flooring must
be installed close to the wall to provide even support to the base and insure a tight, smooth fit. The dry wall or other
wall substrate must extend down to within ¾” of the floor.

Keep wall base and adhesive at 70° F minimum for 24 hours before, during, and 48 hours after installation. Avoid
excessive heat exposure until adhesive is thoroughly set. Coiled or rolled base should be unrolled and allowed to lie
flat for 24 hours before installation to regain normal shape. The surface to apply base to must be structurally sound,
clean, dry, smooth, and free of oil, grease, rust, paint, varnish, shellac, or any other foreign substances that may
interfere with proper bonding. Cracks, holes, and wall imperfections should be filled and smoothed with latex
underlayment.

Do not install over non-porous surfaces such as vinyl wall coverings, laminated Masonite, plastic laminates, some
painted surfaces, and any other non-porous surface. Either remove the non-porous covering to expose a clean, dry,
porous surface before installing or is use a contact cement for installation on non-porous surfaces.

On dry and porous surfaces the base should be cemented to the wall with BR-101. THE USE OF ANY OTHER
ADHESIVE WILL VOID BURKE FLOORING’S WARRANTY.

Application:

A 3/32” V-notched trowel is recommended. Adhesive should be spread on the back of the base and to within a ¼”
from the top or spread on the wall. If using a cartridge then bead the adhesive to within about an inch from the top. If
you are using a multiple-hole nozzle on your cartridge, use a 2-hole nozzle for 2.5”, a 3-hole for 4” and a 5-hole
nozzle for 6”.

If the wall or floor is uneven, you might need to trim some wall base ends before adjoining pieces. Use a razor-edged
utility knife to trim, cutting from the face to the back.

Apply wall base to the wall within 20 minutes after spreading adhesive. Be sure to “work” the wall base back toward
your starting point. This slightly compresses the pieces together and eliminates the possibility of gapping at the seams
due to improper installation technique. Always press firmly toward the last piece you installed using your hand and a
clean rag or a clean hand roller. Base that is installed on a curved or irregular surface may need bracing until adhesive
sets.

Burke Flooring Products, a Division of Burke Industries

2250 South Tenth Street, San Jose CA 95112

[phone] E: Burkeflooring.com

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Outside Corners:

To form outside corners, fold the base at the proper point and scribe the backside with a V-knife or a Cove Base
Gouging Tool. Remove no more than 20% of the base thickness. Heat the cut backside area with a hot air gun. Apply
heat carefully, too much heat will deform or blister the base. Crease the base at the fold with your hands or a hand
roller. Let cool to the touch. Apply adhesive and install. Press firmly to the wall and brace if needed. Use a wet clean
cloth to cool the base if hot from heating process.

Always maximize the length of the wall base measured from the edge of an outside corner. Extend the job formed
corner wall base length on each side of the corner at least 6 inches … or more, if possible. The longer the length of
wall base extends back from the corner. This will make the installation stronger in the face of abuse that can occur
during subsequent maintenance events.

Inside Corners:

To form inside corners, mark on the back of the base where the corner will be. Use a straight edge and a utility knife
or Cove Base Gouging Tool to cut the back of base. Remove no more than 20% of full thickness. If installing coved
base, cut a small 90° triangular wedge from the toe at the corner point. Apply heat with a hot air gun carefully
(excessive heat will deform or blister the part) to the back of the base at the corner point. Fold base, apply adhesive
while still warm to the touch, and press the corner into place. Carefully push the toe of the base into the corner until
your cut triangle closes. Press firmly to insure good adhesive contact. Hold a wet cloth to base to cool. Again, it is
important to maximize the length of the base that extends out from the inside corner.

Clean Up:

Remove all excess adhesive before it dries, using a cloth dampened with water. Once dry, it is difficult to remove.
Mineral spirits may help.

Recommended Adhesive:

Burke Flooring BR-101 is a white, solvent-free, environmentally safer base adhesive to be used when installing on
any clean, dry, non-porous surface. For non-porous surfaces, use contact cement.

Burke Flooring Products, a Division of Burke Industries

2250 South Tenth Street, San Jose CA 95112

[phone]