Mohawk MHK10639 Installation & Assembly

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile

INSTALLATION

EcoFlex® ICT EcoFlex® NXT EcoFlex® Matrix

160 South Industrial Blvd. Calhoun, GA. 30701 MohawkGroup.com

Technical Services Department 508 East Morris St. Dalton, GA 30721

800.833.6954 product_tech@mohawkind.com

Rev. 5/2018 Page 1 / 9

FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

This information, offered as a customer service, is based on Mohawk Group’s engineering tests and eld experience. It is intended

for installers with professional experience to be used at their discretion and risk. Mohawk Group does not guarantee results and assumes no liability in connection with these installation instructions

Site Conditions

Moisture Testing

Newly poured concrete oors generally will take 30 days per inch to cure.

EcoFlex ICT

• Moisture should be below 80% relative humidity (RH) as determined by current version of ASTM F2170. (Consult CRI

104 part 6.2 for standard test method for determining relative humidity in concrete oor slabs using In-Situ Probes.)

• If reading is between 80% and 90% RH, OptiSeal is required.

• If reading exceeds 90% RH, consult Mohawk Group Tech Services at 800.833.6954.

EcoFlex NXT & EcoFlex Matrix

• No moisture testing is required, provided no signs of visual moisture are present and existing adhesive has been

reduced down to a minimal residue.

• This includes complete removal of existing ooring and reducing old adhesive down to a minimal residue.

• This does not mitigate any existing moisture issues.

Alkalinity or pH

The alkalinity or pH in a concrete slab should be determined by the current version of ASTM F710.

EcoFlex ICT

• Results should be between 5 and 9

EcoFlex NXT & EcoFlex Matrix

• Results should be between 5 and 12

Gypcrete or substrates with excessive dust must be cleaned, and then primed with a product such as a PrimeCoat to ensure proper surface.

The oor and room temperature must be acclimated by maintaining the temperature between 65° F and 85° F, and the

humidity between 30% and 65%, for at least 48 hours before and during installation. In addition, the carpet and adhesive should be stored under these conditions for at least 24 hours before installation. The installation site must be acclimated with controlled temperature and humidity.

When the installation is complete, the jobsite must be maintained at normal service temperature and humidity.

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Floor Preparation and Existing Adhesives

• Pre-existing adhesive ridges should be mechanically or hand scraped to a residue to create a smooth at surface before

installing our carpet products. Mohawk cannot be held liable for issues arising from excess adhesive left on the substrate. This includes, but is not limited to, bond failures between encapsulated/skim coated old adhesive and patching compounds used in place of removing adhesive (mechanically or hand scraped) to a smooth surface. OptiSeal must be applied to the substrate after proper removal of adhesive when EcoFlex ICT carpet tiles are being used. Any cut back adhesive should be scraped smooth with only residual adhesive remaining in the pores of the substrate and sealed with OptiSeal as well.

• Mechanically remove all wax, dirt, grease and paint. DO NOT use solvents to clean the oor. DO NOT use oil based sweeping

compounds. Fill cracks larger than 1/16” wide with a cement-based patching compound. The oor must be at to within 1/8”

in 10 feet. Use leveling compound when required. Patched areas may need to be primed with an approved primer such as PrimeCoat. (Consult patch manufacturer for requirements.) DO NOT install over resin or silicate based curing compounds.

• Floor tiles containing asbestos, any adhesive possibly containing asbestos, or other oor coverings containing asbestos

require special preparation, handling and removal procedures. Consult the appropriate local or state authorities or the

Resilient Floor Covering Institute before disturbing any suspected asbestos-containing material.

• Installation of Mohawk Group’s carpet tiles on a oor outside the scope of the guidelines in this document will void all

applicable warranties.

• Mohawk Group is not responsible for any product failure due to improper oor preparation and/or installation procedures.

The required adhesives are Mohawk Group’s family of adhesives.

• When installing carpet tiles over raised access oor panels, start installation by overlapping the access panel joints to prevent

the seams of the tiles from lining up with the access panel joints. Additionally, all access panels should be sound, level and

edges rmly secured to the raised ooring pedestals.

Floor Priming

• Concrete: Prime if oor is extremely porous or has excessive dust. Terrazzo, Marble, Vinyl Tile (VAT or VCT), Linoleum and

other smooth nonporous surfaces do not require priming. Damp mop only. If patching is required on these surfaces, prime the patched areas if required by patch manufacturer.

NOTE: When non-asbestos containing cut-back or any incompatible adhesive is present, existing adhesive has evidence of plasticizer migration, or EcoFlex ICT (PVC) products are being installed, the existing adhesive must be properly removed and Mohawk Group’s OptiSeal must be applied over the adhesive residue. Chemical adhesive removers cannot be used to remove old existing adhesives.

• Wood substrates are required to be structurally sound, at, dry and securely anchored with ¾” minimum thickness.

Substrates, such as plywood, OSB or other materials must be ooring grade (APA approved) and installed according to manufacturer specications. Irregularities, imperfections and joints must be properly patched and prepared.

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Installation

• Inspect all carpet prior to cutting and contact your sales representative before installing the carpet if you discover any

problems. No claims will be allowed for visible defects after the carpet has been cut and installed.

• Never cut carpet over carpet, as this can result in over penetration of the blade and severed loops on the lower carpet.

• Carpet should be protected from heavy trafc and construction dust with a non-staining building material paper. Never use

plastic sheeting as it will trap moisture and prevent proper curing of the adhesive. Plastic may also leave residues that can result in rapid soiling after removal. Plywood or Masonite boards should be used when moving heavy equipment.

• If any of the above conditions are not attainable, contact Mohawk Group Technical Services at 800.833.6954.

Required Equipment

The following items may be purchased from a local carpet workroom supplier:

• Razor Blades

• Straight Edge

• Scissors

• Framing Square

• 75 lb. Roller or 100 lb. Roller

• Razor Knives

• Chalk Line

• Tape Measure

• Floor Scraper

• Cement-based Patching Compound

Site Layout

1. The starting point in a modular installation must be as near to the center of the room as

possible and must be positioned to utilize the largest perimeter cut module size.

2. Snap a chalk line parallel to one major wall, bisecting the starting point. It will be necessary

to offset the center chalk line to assure perimeter modules will be at least half size.

3. A second chalk line must be snapped from the starting point at 90° to the rst line. This can be accomplished using a 6-8-10 or larger triangle, depending on the room size. (See

Illustration A) Meters or feet will be used to lay out the triangle in these proportions. A framing square can also be used.

10’

8’

ILLUSTRATION A

Pallet and Box Sequencing

It is very important to install carpet tiles in the order they were manufactured. This is easily accomplished by selecting pallets in sequential order.

6’

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Application Rate

24” x 24” Tiles

Monolithic, Quarter Turn,

Multidirectional

Horizontal and Vertical Ashlar 100

Tiles and Planks

Monolithic Stepping, Half-Lap, Brick Ashlar, Random, Herringbone

Coverage (Sq. Yds./Box)

150

Coverage (Sq. Yds./Box)

100

Tab Installation

1. Start from the intersection point in the center of the oor with the 1st tile. Place a tab under each edge of the tile at the corners, leaving ¾ of

the tab exposed

2. Carefully insert the second tile in place then rmly press the tile into the tab.

3. Continue with the third tile, creating a stair step or pyramid pattern, starting at the center point. Check to ensure tiles are properly aligned at

edges during the installation. (See gure to right.)

12” x 36” Planks

Monolithic 110

Ashlar, Basketweave,

Herringbone

24” x 48” Planks

All Methods 150

Chalk line 1

Coverage (Sq. Yds./Box)

Starting Point

4. Place tabs under the edges of the second and third tile.

5. Continue with the stair step method until the entire area is completed.

6. All carpet tiles must be rolled with a 75 lb. or 100 lb. roller.

NOTE: Before pressing tile into the adhesive tab, t the tiles

together, being careful not to trap face yarns between or under the edges of the tile and/or crease the tab under the tile.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3 Step 4

Chalk line 2

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Tab Placement

Tabs must be placed on every corner of the tile or the plank. A tab is also required at any seam next to the wall or transition. 24x48 planks require an additional tab in the middle along the 48” side. See Below.

MONOLITHIC, QUARTER-TURN &

MULTIDIRECTIONAL (24” X 24” TILES)

BRICK & VERTICAL ASHLAR

(24” X 24” TILES)

24” X 48” PLANKS12” X 36” PLANKS

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Tile Installation Methods

Before you begin the installation, consult product specications to determine which installation formats are approved. Shown

below are some common installation formats.

MONOLITHIC QUARTER TURN

Ashlar Formats

BRICK ASHLAR,

3-STEP 8” OFFSET

VERTICAL ASHLAR

3-STEP 8” OFFSET

In the Ashlar installation formats, each row of carpet tiles is shifted 8 inches, either in a brick format or vertically (see

diagrams above). This is a three-step process, i.e. each successive row of tiles must be offset one-third the length of the tile. It is not acceptable to shift the tiles only one-half the length of the tiles (two-step process). This installation method maintains the random appearance of the carpet tiles, eliminating line-on-line or dark-on-dark effects that can create a skewed look in the nished installation.

Please note: Carpet tile products installed in the Ashlar format will not have the same nished appearance as the same

product in a broadloom (12’ width).

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Multi-Directional Format (Follow No Order)

Tiles are to be placed without concern for the arrow direction (random). Mixing tiles from various boxes during

installation will further blend color and design elements. This process is essential for achieving optimal aesthetics.

Plank Tile Installation Methods

12 x 36

MONOLITHIC

STEPPING

HALF-LAP BRICK ASHLAR RANDOM HERRINGBONE BASKETWEAVE

PLANK

HALF-LAP

12 x 36 + 24 x 24

MONOLITHIC STEPPING HALF-LAP BRICK ASHLAR RANDOM HERRINGBONE

Cutting Border Tiles

Cuts are made from the back. Install border tiles by placing the tile face down exactly on top of the last row of eld tiles, keeping

the arrows pointed in the same directions. This will be your cut tile. Using another tile, butt it against the wall, allowing it to lie on top of the tile that is to be cut. Using this tile as a reference tile, score a line on the back of the tile that is to be cut. Cut the tile along the reference line, being careful not to cut through the installed tile below. Install the cut tile with the cut edge along the wall. Use this same technique at doorways and around other objects. The EcoFlex NXT & EcoFlex Matrix tile must have the backing cut slightly shorter by cutting the backing at a slight angle. A transition strip must be used to protect any exposed edges. Tiles can also be cut by measuring and cutting with a straight edge and knife or by running them up the wall and cutting them with a knife or wall trimmer.

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FlexLok Adhesive Tabs for Carpet Tile | INSTALLATION

Stairs

FlexLok is NOT recommended for stairs.

Ramps and Inclines

FlexLok is NOT recommended for ramps, inclines or under heavy rolling loads. Mohawk Pressure Sensitive Adhesives must be used in these areas.

Carpet Over Carpet

FlexLok is NOT recommended for carpet over carpet installations.

Chair Pads

Chair pads are recommended for use under chairs with roller casters. Casters must be the at round type with 5/8” to 1” width

minimum. If chair pads are not used, the appearance of the carpet tile will decrease. Maintenance and/or shifting of the modular tiles will be required more frequently when pads are not used.

Replacement Tiles

Occasionally, it will be necessary to replace damaged or heavily soiled tiles. Tiles can be replaced with on-site inventory or from

another area of the installation. A difference of appearance will be noticed when the tile is replaced. However, this difference usually diminishes in a short time. When replacing tiles, a new tab must be used.

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Mohawk MHK10639 Installation & Assembly

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual