I am installing self-stick 12×12 tiles in a kitchen (…I know, but it was not my choice!) on a plywood subfloor and am looking for suggestions on improving the ‘stick’ so there is no movement. Is there a product I can apply to the subfloor to act as an activator? Thanks in advance.
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I don't know, but thought I'd share a relevant point.
I recently bought a house where self stick tiles are in the kitchen. It's evident that the installer troweled on a regular floor mastic (as you'd use for commercial VCT) in addition to the adhesive already on the tile. This was a mistake, as the mastic didn't bond well with the factory adhesive.
Not only do the tiles pop up easily, but the excess of adhesive/mastic keeps working it's way up throught the seams. We scrape it off, and within a few weeks there is black rubbery goo seeping up all over again.
If nothing else, contact the mfr of the tiles to get their take on adding adhesive.
I did one a number of years ago. At the time they recommed a "primer".
I think that it was more of something to seal the surface so that it the adhesive had something solid to connect with rather the "fuzzy wood fibers" on the surface of the underlayment.
Check the manufactures web page.
I agree. I think even as long as the 'fuzzies' are sealed I should be good. I was thinking of even using Kilz to seal the sub floor.
Use primer it's made by most flooring mfg. Like Henry. Shellac will work to, but there is no real price diff and application diff. Use the floor primer.
Can't I go 1 day without spilling my coffee?
I've used mastic with good success but not the old asphalt stuff. I have spread with a fine notched trowel to install fresh and I have spread smooth with a float and let it dry overnight to use as a primer/smooth tack coat. Never had bleed through - that is from wrong mastic or too much applied..
Excellence is its own reward!
In that case I think I could use Kilz. Thanks!
A long while back I worked for Color Tile they would only warranty the sticking of self stick tiles if their primer was used. We got a bonus for selling the stuff though. the kilz sounds good but check that in reverse it won't void any warranty. The stuff we sold was like acrlic admix for mortar.
light pass with a propane torch.
must have equip when working on uneven floors..like a concrete basement...
as said about....seal the wood if necessary...but don't use adhesive with self stick tiles.
Jeff
Buck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite