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	Advice on laying carpet tiles

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Recommandations for installing loose-lay carpet tiles

I - PREPARATION

1. Storing the material

Store the tiles on a flat surface and stack them in their original packaging. Do not stack more than 10 boxes of 20 tiles. Before proceeding to lay them, allow the tiles to rest for 48 hours in a closed area with a temperature between 15° C and 30° C so that they can readjust.

2. Site conditions

The temperature in the premises must be at least 12° C, and relative humidity must not exceed 65%. The premises must be closed and covered.

The concrete must be structurally sound and dry. The result must comply with national standards and regulations for construction. The moisture level in the floor screed must not exceed 5%.

The sub floor must be smooth, clean and dry, and non-compressible. It must meet national standards and regulations for construction.

With screed or concrete sub floors, it is necessary to use a resurfacing or smoothing compound.

The resurfaced base must not risk exposing the laid floor covering to rising moisture.

In the case of a sub floor of vinyl tiles, Terrazzo marble, etc.:
Correct the irregularities of the base surface with an appropriate smoothing compound. Remove surface chemicals.

In the case of a base surface made of wood/fibreboard panels/reconstituted wood panels:
If the floor is not even, it may be necessary, before laying the tiles, to install a panel of plywood or fibreboard, fixed at intervals of 100cm.

In the case of raised floors:
They must comply with French DTU 57.1 norm. When laying the covering it is recommended that the joints should not be aligned with those of the floor. Be sure not to allow the fixing product to penetrate between the floor modules, which would make subsequent disassembly more difficult.

In the case of underfloor heating:
The temperature of the floor must not exceed 28°C. The heating must be turned off 48 hours before laying the tiles.

3. Fixing Method.

A special aqueous dispersion fixing product for loose-lay carpet tiles must be used. The tile layer must refer to the fixing product manufacturer’s instructions to ensure that the solution is compatible with the backing of the tiles. Recommendations regarding the amount of product, gumming time and method of application must be strictly followed.

Respect the recommended proportions and apply an even layer of glue with the recommended tool. Before laying the tiles, respect the gumming time and make sure that no glue is transferred when you touch it.

It is strongly recommended that you regularly carry out unsticking tests to check that the tiles are fully movable.

II - LAYING THE TILES

Check the laying style required (checkerboard or single colour) by referring to the specifications or checking with your Balsan customer service. The direction of the fibres is given by arrows on the back of the tiles. Tiles must always all be laid in the determined direction (see diagrams opposite).

1. Start point

Measure up your room and start from a line where there will be no cut tiles less than a quarter the size of a tile in door thresholds and next to walls. Once you have determined where the AB and AC axes lie by using these instructions, trace the axes with chalk as in the example below. (See figure1)

Figure 1

2. Method

Place the first tile at the intersection of the AB and AC axes and continuing laying in a staggered ‘staircase’ pattern, being careful to ensure each tile is square against its neighbours (See figure 2).
Frequently check that the tiles are properly aligned by running your finger along the edge of the tiles.

Blocking:
Check that the edges of the tiles touch properly. The contact pressure should however not be too great so as not to cause bumps and buckling.

Figure 2-3

Cut the tiles (see figure 3) :
Tile A is the last tile before cutting;
Tile B is the tile to be cut which must be placed exactly on Tile A.
Tile C is an extra tile used as a template. Position it against the wall and on top of Tile B.
Use its edge to trace a line on Tile B, then cut using a craft knife. Then place the cut part of Tile B it between the wall and Tile A.

3. Finishing

Avoid placing heavy items on the covered areas until the surface is completed.

WARNING (check list)

1. Check that the material to be used in the laying area comes from the same batch. Do not accept any mixing of batches. Batch numbers are given on the label of each box.

2. Ensure that the fixing product to be used is recommended for the backing of Balsan tiles. Respect the gumming time as well as the quantities the manufacturer recommends. Failure to respect these two rules can result in the tiles becoming stuck, and hence prevent them from being movable.

3. Never start laying from a full tile positioned against a wall. Failure to respect the staggered staircase method of laying can result in the tiles not being square to each other, causing the partial opening of joints. This is not due to poor calibration of the tiles. Make sure you follow these rules.

4. Never start laying from a full tile positioned against a wall. Failure to respect the staggered staircase method of laying can result in the tiles not being square to each other, causing the partial opening of joints. This is not due to poor calibration of the tiles. Make sure you follow these rules.

5. Expansion joints: tiles which are laid over a joint are recut along the joint and glued either side of it.

6. For cut velvet products. Be careful not to trap the fibres between the tiles (lift up the tile with a hooked blade to reposition the trapped fibres and ensure the joins look correct.).

7. Heating tests: after laying the tiles avoid thermal shocks due to any abrupt increase in temperature.

8. Responsibility. Balsan declines all responsibility for any defects resulting from divergence from the methods described here. In addition to reading these instructions it is essential to also read the general Terms and Conditions.

Head office : Balsan Moquette - Corbilly D14 - F36330 ARTHON - Tel. : +33 2 54 29 16 00 - Fax : +33 2 54 36 37 40 - Contact us

Balsan S.A.S. au capital de 3 825 000€ - RC Châteauroux 434 403 689 - (2001B19) - TVA FR 74 434 403 689

Code APE 1393 Z « Fabrication de tapis et moquettes »