Jobsite Troubleshooting: Solving Common Issues to Prevent Callbacks

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“Callbacks come from shortcuts” is a phrase my grandfather engrained in me growing up in the wood flooring world. Callbacks are the “anti-profit” aspect of a business and, unfortunately, create a bad image for our industry. It has been my experience over the years that so many of these callbacks are related to a “do it right now” versus a “do it right” mentality.

We all have been faced with business decisions to move fast and get on to the next project, but there is a lot of risk and hidden cost in a “do it right now” mindset. As a former installer, and current Bostik technical representative, I’d like to share some of the callback issues we investigate from an adhesive manufacturing perspective.

CURED ADHESIVE RESIDUE

Contributing factors may include:

  • Inadequate clean up or messy installation practices
  • Adhesive application techniques and trowel selection

Unfortunately, this is a common callback for installers. Trowel selection and general “cleanliness” during installation is the main culprit for adhesive residue callbacks. Utilizing a trowel that provides the recommended coverage and transfer of the adhesive, while not placing too much adhesive down, is crucial. Excessive adhesive that is applied can “squeeze up” between the boards and requires wiping to remove.

Once the adhesive is cured, the removal process can be more challenging, often requiring razor blades, wipes, and solvent adhesive removers. Adhesive technology/chemistry has evolved over the decades with “easy clean” products being more available.

HOLLOW SPOTS

Contributing factors may include:

  • Subfloor preparation
  • Trowel selection
  • Adhesive selection
  • Warped or bowed flooring

Hollow spots commonly are created by one (or all) of the four items listed above. Subfloor “flatness” is by far the number one situation we see when inspecting hollow spots. The perfect recipe for hollow spots involves an uneven substrate, a trowel or application practice that creates short adhesive ridges, an adhesive that slumps after being troweled out, and warped/bowed flooring. The solution is to fix the low spots with surface preparation products like skimcoats, patches, or self-leveling underlayments. Choose a trowel that promotes tall ridges and achieves proper transfer of the adhesive to the back of the flooring. Purchase an adhesive that has a feature set for ridge retention and stands tall once applied. Lastly, remove any bowed or warped flooring when racking out the floor.

ADHESIVE NOT BONDING

Contributing factors may include:

  • Contaminants on a substrate
  • Quality of the substrate (old friable gypsum/cement or burnished/polished concrete

Over the years, I have seen numerous complaints of “adhesives not bonding” to a substrate and upon visiting the jobsite, I discovered the substrate has paint overspray, drywall dust,
or old carpet adhesive residues. Contaminants properly need to be removed down to a clean and porous substrate. If they are not removed, the adhesive cannot bond to the
substrate – because it’s bonding to a contaminant.

The quality of the substrate should not be overlooked. Old friable (crumbling/chalky or
soft) gypsums or cements can be problematic because they offer a weak surface. Burnished
or polished concrete also can be a concern as these usually lack porosity and the texture that an adhesive needs to mechanically “grab on.” Both (friable or burnished) substrates have low surface energy profiles; therefore, reducing a strong adhesive performance. Couple that with a flooring product that has seasonal dimensional changes that create stress/strain on the bond and a failure could occur to the “weak” substrate giving way.

MOISTURE CONCERNS (CUPPING, STAINING/DARKENING, BUCKLING)

Contributing factors may include:

  • Moisture testing
  • Acclimation
  • Adhesive selection
  • Vapor barrier/membrane selection
  • Trowel selection/adhesive transfer

We all know moisture has been discussed in every NWFA course, Expo, or Symposium for
years. It will not go away in a construction industry that strives for faster installation timeframes and schedules. Understanding when, where, and how to utilize moisture control products can be a crucial step in reducing callbacks. Educating yourself on knowing the
science behind moisture control and understanding how that concept unfolds in a construction site is so important. I look forward to discussing this topic in more detail at this year’s NWFA Expo.

 

Mark your calendars now to join us at Expo 

“Troubleshooting: Solving Common Issues to Prevent Callbacks” | Wednesday, April 22 9:15-10:15a.m. | Panelists: Chad Bulen and Tyler Powell

Chad Bulen is the director of technical services for Bostik’s construction and consumer business unit – North America. He can be reached at chad.bulen@bostik.com.