subleveler

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS and TECHNICAL DATA SUBFLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM

SHEET

TECHNICAL DATA
Nominal Starting Thickness: 0.040" (1.016 mm)
Nominal Final Thickness: 1/8" (3.2 mm)
1/4" (6.35 mm)
3/8" (9.53 mm)
1/2" (12.7 mm)
Nominal Width: 48" (1.219 m)
Nominal Length: 12" (30.48 cm)
18" (45.72 cm)
ASTM E84 - Flammability: Class A
ASTM E648 (NFPA 253) - Critical Radiant Flux: Class I, > 0.45 W/cm2
ASTM E662 (NFPA 258) - Smoke Density: Passes, <450
ASTM F925 - Chemical Resistance: Passes (chart available)
ASTM F970 - Static Load Limit: Passes, 250 PSI
ASTM F970 - (Modified) Max Weight: 1000 PSI
Acclimation Time: 48 Hours
Storage & Acclimation Temperature: 65° - 85° F

SUSTAINABILITY
FloorScore® Certified, NSF 332 Platinum, HPD Available
Qualifies for LEED v2009 IEQ Credit 4.1 credit
Technical Support: [email protected]

APPROVED ADHESIVES
Excelsior AW-510 Acrylic Wet-Set Adhesive – An acrylic adhesive used for the permanent installation of
dimensionally stable vinyl, rubber and quartz flooring, wall base and stair tread products over porous and non-porous
substrates in indoor applications.

Excelsior MS-700 Modified Silane Wet-Set – A premium, one component modified silane adhesive used for the
permanent installation of vinyl & rubber flooring products over porous and non-porous substrate both indoors and
outdoors.

Excelsior U-705 Urethane Wet-Set Adhesive – A premium water resistant, single component urethane adhesive
used for the permanent installation of resilient flooring products, including recycled or crumb rubber flooring products
over porous and non-porous substrates both indoors and outdoors.
 subleveler
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS and TECHNICAL DATA SUBFLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM
SHEET
Excelsior EW-710 Epoxy Wet-Set Adhesive – A non-flammable two-part urethane-modified epoxy adhesive used for
the permanent, installation of vinyl, rubber and quartz flooring products over porous and non-porous substrates in both
indoor and outdoor applications.

SUBSTRATE, INSTALLATION & MAINTENANCE INFORMATION

1. PRODUCT LIMITATIONS
 Prior to acceptance of this document refer to  This product is designed, manufactured and tested
www.roppe.com to confirm the most current to perform at constant temperatures, not fluctuating
revision. more than 4° from normal selected service
 Do not install materials over LVT, cushioned vinyl, temperatures from the allowable 65° F (19° C) - 85°
hardwood flooring, cork, rubber, or asphaltic F (30° C) range.
materials.  During acclimation, the material must be in the
 Do not install flooring materials in outdoor areas installation area with the HVAC system functional
and in or around commercial kitchens. and operating at desired service temperatures for a
 Do not install in areas that may be subjected to period of 48 hours prior to installation, during the
sharp, pointed objects, such as stiletto heels, installation and for the service life of the installation
cleats or spikes. afterwards.
 Do not allow product to be directly exposed to  It is recommended maintaining an ambient relative
extreme heat sources, such as radiators, ovens or humidity between 40% and 60% for a period of 48
other high-heat equipment. hours prior to installation, during the installation and
 May be susceptible to staining from rubber tires, for the service life of the installation afterwards.
casters or rubber-backed walk-off mats, as well  If the material will be installed outside of the above
as harsh disinfectants, cleaning agents, dyes or acclimation and service temperature ranges contact
other harsh chemicals – ensure all chemicals and Technical Services for more detailed installation
materials that may come in contact with flooring recommendations.
surface will not stain, mar or otherwise damage the  Do not proceed with installation until all conditions
flooring material prior to use. have been met.

2. PRE-INSTALLATION CHECKLIST 4. SUBSTRATE PREPARATION

 Consult all associated product literature concerning In regards to substrate preparation when mechanical
installation and warranty prior to installation. sanding, grinding, shot blasting and vacuuming
 Allow all trades to complete work prior to installation. always follow the Resilient Floor Covering Institute’s
 Deliver all materials to the installation location in its (RFCI) “Recommended Work Practice for Removal of
original packaging with labels intact. Existing Floor Covering and Adhesives”, and all
 Inspect all materials to ensure there is no damage. applicable local, state, federal and OSHA
 Do not stack pallets to avoid damage. requirements in regards to Asbestos and Silica
 Protect installation area from extreme temperature containment regulations.
changes, such as heat and freezing, as well as direct All substrates must be prepared according to ASTM
sunlight for at least 48 hours before, during and after F710 or ASTM F1482, as well as applicable ACI and
installation. RFCI guidelines. Substrates must be clean, smooth,
 Ensure all vents, walls, moldings and/ or doorways permanently dry, flat, and structurally sound.
are protected with tape or plastic prior to installation.
 Do not proceed with installation until all conditions Substrates must be free of visible water or moisture,
have been met. dust, sealers, paint, sweeping compounds, curing
compounds, residual adhesives and adhesive removers,
concrete hardeners or densifiers, solvents, wax, oil,
3. STORAGE, ACCLIMATION & SERVICE grease, asphalt, visible alkaline salts or excessive
ENVIRONMENT efflorescence, mold, mildew and any other extraneous
 Ensure material is adequately stored at coating, film, material or foreign matter.
temperatures between 65° F (19° C) and 85° F (30°
C) prior to installation.
 subleveler
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS and TECHNICAL DATA SUBFLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM
SHEET
It is recommended that all substrates have a floor Excelsior MM-100 Moisture Mitigation, must be installed
flatness of FF32 and/or a flatness tolerance of 1/8” in 6’ prior to proceeding with installation.
or 3/16” in 10’.
Substrates that do not meet this requirement should RESINOUS SUBSTRATES
have a compatible cementitious patch (such as the When installing directly over a resinous products, such
Excelsior CP-300) or self-leveling underlayment (such as as the Excelsior MM-100 or an epoxy coating, ensure
the Excelsior SU-310) installed to flatten the installation that coating is dry to the touch and has cured for the
area. prescribed length of time. Substrate must be clean, dry,
sound and free of contaminates. Resinous substrates
All substrates must have any and all existing adhesives, are considered non-porous – make sure adhesive can
materials, contaminants or bond-breakers mechanically be used over non-porous substrates and follow all
removed via scraping, sanding, grinding or buffing with a installation instructions and flash times for non-porous
25 grit DiamaBrush Prep Plus tool prior to adhesive substrates.
installation. In extreme situations, shot-blasting may be
required. GYPSUM BASED SUBSTRATES
Mechanical preparation must expose at least 90% of the Gypsum-based substrates must have a minimum
original substrate. compressive strength of 3500 PSI. Gypsum substrates
Following cleaning and removal, all substrates must be that do not meet this requirement may have one coat of
vacuumed with a HEPA approved vacuum and flat the Excelsior MM-100 installed to improve the top layer
vacuum attachment to remove all surface dust. bonding strength of the substrate.
Sweeping without vacuuming will not be acceptable. Substrate must be structurally sound and firmly bonded
Do not use solvent/citrus based adhesive removers prior to the subfloor below. Any cracked or fractured areas
to installation. must be removed and repaired with a compatible patch
or repair product. Follow instructions for installation over
CONCRETE SUBSTRATES a gypsum substrate. New or existing gypsum substrates
All concrete must have a minimum compressive strength may require the substrate has a primer or sealer applied
of 3500 PSI and be prepared in accordance with ASTM just prior to finished floor being installed. Follow all
F710. When flooring is being installed directly over manufacturers’ recommendations regarding preparation
concrete, concrete surfaces that have an ICRI Concrete for resilient flooring installation.
Surface Profile (CSP) over 4 should be smoothed with a
self-leveling underlayment or a patch to prevent WOOD SUBSTRATES
imperfections from telegraphing through flooring Wood substrates must be prepared in accordance with
materials. ASTM F1482. Prior to installation, moisture retardant
All substrates must be tested per ASTM F3191 to sheeting with a maximum rating of 1.0 perm must be
confirm porosity. Use a pipette or equivalent to conduct installed beneath the wood subfloor, overlapped at least
three tests by placing a .05 mL (1/4” wide) droplet of 8”. Other wood subfloor materials, such as OSB, lauan,
clean, potable water onto the surface. If the substrate particleboard, chipboard or cementitious tile backer
absorbs water within 60 seconds, the substrate is boards, are not acceptable subfloors. Avoid preservative
considered porous. Conduct 3 tests for the first 2000 sq. treated and fire-retardant plywood, as some may be
ft. and one for each additional 3000 sq. ft., at least one manufactured with resins or adhesives that may cause
per room. All other substrates that do not meet this discoloration or staining of the flooring.
requirement are considered non-porous. Ensure that all This also includes plywood sheathing designed for long
non-porous substrates are not contaminated with any lasting exposure to exterior climates. These also could
aforementioned contaminates. contain resins/waxes that could stain or be considered
In addition to ASTM F2170 Relative Humidity Testing, bond breakers. Always refer to those manufactures
existing concrete that has previously had floor covering recommendations. If the subfloor materials mentioned
installed on all grade levels must be tested in above are already installed or the wood substrate is old
accordance with ASTM F1869, using Calcium Chloride and not repairable, the use of multi-ply Underlayment
test kits, to quantitatively determine the Moisture Vapor Grade plywood at a minimum of ¼” thick with a fully
Emissions Rate (MVER) of the concrete. sanded face will be required. Wood subfloor deflection,
If ASTM F2170 or ASTM F1869 test results exceed the movement, or instability will cause the flooring
prescribed limits, a moisture mitigation product, such as installations to release, buckle or become distorted.
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INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS and TECHNICAL DATA SUBFLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM
SHEET
Therefore, do not use plastic or resin filler to patch All existing flooring substrates must have any and all
cracks. site-applied finishes and/or waxes completely removed
Do not use cement or rosin coated nails and staples or prior to flooring installation in order to ensure a proper
solvent-based construction adhesives to adhere the adhesive bond. For mechanical removal, use a low-
plywood. Only install over a properly constructed sleeper speed buffer and 40-60 grit sandpaper. Properly
system (wood subfloor system over concrete, consult the prepared substrates should not have any remaining
technical department for further details) and do not install gloss or sheen. For chemical removal, ensure chemical
directly over Sturd-I-Floor panels. treatments will not disrupt adhesion of the existing
flooring to the substrate. Be sure to rinse the existing
METAL SUBSTRATES flooring adequately with clean, potable water to remove
Metal substrates must be thoroughly sanded/ground and any and all chemicals from the surface of material.
cleaned of any residue, oil, rust and/or oxidation.
Do not install flooring until any moisture on, between or
Substrate must be smooth, flat and sound prior to
below existing flooring has completely dried. Ensure all
installation. When installing in areas that may be subject
dust; dirt and debris are removed prior to flooring
to topical water or moisture and/or high humidity, an anti-
installation.
corrosive coating must be applied to protect metal
substrate. Contact a local paint or coating supplier for
RADIANT HEATING SUBSTRATES
coating recommendations. Install flooring within 12 hours
When installing flooring over a substrate that contains a
after sanding/grinding to prevent re-oxidation. Any
radiant heating system, ensure the radiant heat is turned
deflection in the metal floor can cause a bond failure
off 48 hours prior to installation and remains off during
between the adhesive and the metal substrate. Be sure
the entire installation. The radiant heat may be turned on
to follow installation procedures and trowel sizes for non-
48 hours after installation and the normal operating
porous substrates.
temperature should be increased gradually over the
Installing over Checker plate or Diamond plate is not
course of 24 hours. Ensure the temperature of the
recommended.
radiant heating system does not exceed 85° F (29.5° C)
and avoid making abrupt changes in radiant heating
EXISTING FLOORING SUBSTRATES
temperature.
Existing rubber flooring and LVT, as well as the
adhesives used to install them, must be completely
removed from the substrate prior to installation. 5. CRACKS, JOINTS & VOIDS
All cracks, joints and voids, as well as the areas
Existing VCT, VAT, quartz tile, solid vinyl tile, sheet surrounding them, must be clean and free of dust, dirt,
goods, hardwood flooring, asphaltic materials and debris and contaminants. All minor cracks and voids
existing adhesives or adhesive residue must have a 3/64” or less may be repaired with a suitable
compatible cementitious patch or underlayment installed cementitious patch. Due to the dynamic nature of
over them prior to installation. Existing hardwood flooring concrete slabs, manufacturer cannot warranty
requires suitable underlayment grade plywood be installations to cover expansion joints, cracks or other
installed over the substrate. Adhesive may be installed voids such as control cuts saw joints and moving cracks
over existing stone flooring substrates, such as terrazzo, or voids. Do not install flooring directly over any
porcelain or ceramic tile. expansion joints as all expansion joints should be
Ensure existing flooring is a single layer of material and honored and have a suitable expansion joint covering
that all materials are clean, dry, sound, solid, well system installed to allow expansion joint to move as it
adhered and free of site-applied finishes, waxes and/or was designed. In areas where random cracks are 3/64”
contaminants. Any and all loose tiles must be removed or greater it is hard to tell if the slab will continue to move
and repaired or replaced. All grout lines and irregularities or has finished moving.
must be filled and troweled flush with a suitable primer Consult a structural engineer if there are any questions
and patch such as the Excelsior NP-230 and CP-300 to or concerns with a crack or joint, especially those that
prevent telegraphing of the existing floor. All existing may affect structural integrity such as expansion joints or
flooring substrates that are outside of flatness tolerances excessive random cracking in areas that are not
that cannot be repaired with the Excelsior CP-300 patch designed to move.
should be leveled with the SU-310 self-leveling
underlayment to achieve a smooth, flat substrate.
 subleveler
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS and TECHNICAL DATA SUBFLOOR LEVELING SYSTEM
SHEET

6. SUBLEVELER INSTALLATION 7. FLOORING INSTALLATION

Ensure adhesive is approved for use with flooring Roppe Subleveler is a non-porous material and is
material and that proper trowel type and size is used, considered a non-porous substrate.
manufacturer is not responsible for any and all adhesion Always follow adhesive recommendation of flooring
issues related to improper adhesive selection or usage. material for a non-porous substrate when installing
Prior to installation, dry-lay several subleveler to materials to the subleveler. Ensure that Subleveler is
establish the best layout for the installation area and free of dust, dirt and debris prior to installation of flooring
facility. Inspect all sections before installing. material. If necessary, clean the Subleveler using a
clean cloth.
Apply adhesive according to instructions for specific
product in use. Be sure to follow instructions based on If patching is required the use of a primer is
substrate porosity (porous or non-porous). recommended, the subleveler is considered a non-
When installing into adhesive using a wet-set method, porous material.
avoid walking or working on material until adhesive has
cured for light foot traffic. Pay close attention to open 8. WARRANTY
times to avoid adhesion issues. Roppe provides a 1 year limited warranty for all
Be sure to install material with the cut lines down Accessories. For additional information, see associated
against the substrate. warranty documents.
Periodically lift material to ensure proper adhesive
transfer and ensure adhesive has not surpassed the
open time – adhesive should cover 90% of the material.
Use a hand roller to ensure material is properly
embedded into adhesive. Visually inspect installation to
ensure that material has not shifted and that adhesive
has not been squeezed out of joints or compressed onto
surface.

FOR PROFESSIONAL USE ONLY

PLEASE CONSULT ALL ASSOCIATED TECHNICAL DATA SHEETS, SAFETY DATA SHEETS, MAINTENANCE
DOCUMENTS AND WARRANTY INFORMATION PRIOR TO INSTALLATION.