Flooring Products

Application Guidelines

Subfloor Preparation:

All substrates must be clean, dry, structurally sound, properly cured and free of dirt, oil, paint, old adhesive, wax, sealers and curing agents. General scouring with 20 grit or #3 1/2 open-coat sandpaper will remove most compounds. All loose materials must be vacuumed from the surface after scouring. The subfloor must be flat to a tolerance of 3/16” in a 10’ radius. Hollow spots, popping spots and squeaks are related to unevenness in the subfloor. Grinding concrete floors is preferred over the use of filling compounds. If filling/flattening compounds are used, they must be Portland-based cementitious material and have a compressive strength equal to or greater than 3000 psi when cured. When using cementitious materials, they must be rated for the moisture content in the concrete slab. Always use the highest rated materials for moisture because the moisture levels will change. Consult the cementitious manufacturer’s application directions. Use of adhesive over light weight concrete and all gypsum-based materials requires the use of an approved concrete primer prior to application of adhesive.

Installation: One-step Adhesive, Moisture and Sound Control Method:

Follow all instructions for subfloor preparation. Be sure to obtain the correct trowel. Trowel product with the correct trowel and immediately install the wood flooring into the wet adhesive. To reduce slippage, secure the first two starter rows with starting blocks fastened to the substrate or wedges against starting wall. Remaining planks must be placed firmly into adhesive. Planks that are not flat should be weighted for several hours. Complete adhesive coverage, with no voids, is required to qualify for the all-in-one installation warranty. Product is formulated to cure rapidly. Open time depending on relative humidity is 35-45 minutes. Be sure to seat the flooring into the adhesive firmly. Any low or high spots may cause voids in the adhesive and void the warranty. For sound testing results, call Franklin Technical Service at 1-800-347-4583.

Installation: Adhesive only method:

Follow all instructions for subfloor preparations. Titebond 771-Step must be installed using the “wet lay” method. This product cures and builds strength very quickly. Do not trowel more adhesive than can be installed within 30 minutes. Use recommended trowel for installation (see trowel recommendations). In the “wet lay” method the adhesive is not flashed. Begin laying the wood flooring immediately after troweling the adhesive. Once the adhesive has been troweled, the wood flooring should be installed immediately into the wet adhesive. To reduce slippage, secure the first starter row with Titebond Tape. Remaining planks must be placed firmly into adhesive. Planks which are not flat should be weighted for several hours. Normally, ultimate strength will be reached within 24 hours. Wait at least one day before finishing an unfinished floor. Do not walk on the floor during installation.

Re-sealing and Re-opening Partial Pail:

Scrape sides of pail (this will aid in removal of adhesive later). Place plastic trash bag over unused adhesive, working out any air pockets. Replace lid on pail and tightly seal. Upon re-opening pail, remove trash bag. Material should be ready for use.

Gluing Plywood Over Concrete:

1. Use 5/8" CD Exposure 1 Plywood subfloor panels, 4' x 8' sheets; cut sheets into 2' x 8' or 4' x 4' sections
2. Score the back of the panels half the thickness of the panel on a 12" x 12" grid in order to relieve tension in plywood
3. Use a 1/4" x 1/4" square-notched trowel to apply adhesive to concrete
4. Lay sections in a staggered joint pattern in the adhesive, with 1/8" spacing between sheets, and 3/4" minimum expansion space at walls and all vertical obstructions
5. Add weight as necessary to ensure adhesive remains in contact with plywood as it cures
6. Allow adhesive to dry overnight before proceeding with flooring installation

Cleanup:

Wet adhesive may be cleaned up or removed using a solvent such as alcohol or mineral spirits. Do not allow adhesive to cure on surface of the flooring, tools, or equipment. Follow solvent manufacturer’s directions when working with solvents. Cured adhesive will be difficult to remove. For specific cleaning instructions, call Franklin Technical Service at 1.800.347.4583.

Limitations:

MOISTURE CONTENT LIMITATIONS (One-step adhesive, moisture and sound control method): Titebond 771-Step may be used as an adhesive and moisture control system for concrete slabs with elevated moisture levels. Calcium chloride or in-situ RH testing is NOT necessary. To ensure a proper bond and full moisture control, it is essential that the concrete be dry to the touch and fully cured before installation. 100% substrate coverage and adhesive transfer is required.

MOISTURE CONTENT LIMITATIONS (Adhesive Only Method): Titebond 771-Step may be used for above-, on- and below-grade applications and on all substrates listed in this specification guide. All applications are susceptible to moisture and should be tested for moisture prior to installation in several locations within the installation area.

Acceptable conditions of concrete for above-, on- and below-grade applications are:

• Less than 3 lbs. /1000 sq.ft./24 hours on a Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F1869)
• Less than a reading of 4.5 on a Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter
• Relative humidity (RH) of 75% or less when tested with an in situ probe(ASTM F2170)

Acceptable conditions of wood substrates are a moisture reading of less than 12% or be no more than 4% different from the flooring being installed when using a Tramex, Delmhorst or equivalent wood moisture meter. If subfloor moisture conditions do not meet above guidelines at the time of flooring installation or they could exceed them at any time after installation then a Titebond moisture control system should be used.

• This product cures very quickly!
• Open time is 30-45 minutes depending on temperature and humidity
• Do not install solid wood below-grade
• Do not use on concrete with curing agents or sealers (except for recommended Titebond or Franklin products)
• Avoid allowing adhesive to cure on wood flooring surface
• Do not allow foot traffic for 4 hours after installation
• Do not use a leveler

Concrete Moisture Vapor Limits

• To ensure protection against subfloor moisture,100% substrate coverage and adhesive transfer is required.
• Adhesive, moisture and sound control application: UNLIMITED.
• Adhesive only application: ≤ 3 lbs/1000 ft.²/24 hrs. (≤ 75% RH)
• Installations in dry or cool environments or over dry subfloors will take longer to cure

CAUTION: Do not sand, scour or abrade any material that is suspected of containing asbestos fibers. Asbestos is known to cause cancer. Federal law requires that asbestos be handled by a licensed and certified hazardous materials contractor.

Franklin International will honor the applicable terms of any wood floor manufacturer’s current published adhesive warranty or subfloor moisture warranty (where applicable) when the flooring was installed using Titebond 771-Step in accordance with product instructions and the instructions of the wood floor manufacturer.*

Franklin International will also warrant Titebond 771-Step to be free from defects in materials and workmanship for a period of one year from the date of manufacture, if the product has been installed in accordance with the Franklin Specification Guide and the installation instructions furnished with the product.

In the event of loss of adhesion due to product defect of Titebond 771-Step or if the terms of the warranty have been met, Franklin International will reimburse the customer one time only for the cost of labor and materials necessary to repair or replace the affected area(s) of the installed wood flooring.

Exclusions from Coverage
The above warranty does not apply if: (1) all instructions regarding preparation for, installation and use of flooring products and this Product are not strictly followed (2) the Product is used as an adhesive and moisture control for below-grade applications; (3) 100% coverage with no voids in the adhesive when using the product as an all-in-one moisture and sound control system; (4)proper job site pre-inspection, installation and maintenance procedures are not followed; (5) the concrete subfloor is not clean, flat, free of debris and structurally sound; (6) the concrete subfloor is not free of visible moisture including darkening of concrete, standing water and condensation; (7) moisture content of concrete subfloor is or becomes greater than 3 lbs. per a calcium chloride moisture test or 75% RH for adhesive only installation method; (8) the property of the installation does not have proper drainage; (9) moisture related problems are related to flooding, leakage, topical moisture, improper ventilation, improper maintenance or cracks in the subfloor or foundation; or (10) problems arise due to defects in the flooring, or misuse or abuse. Further, the Product is not intended for mold or mildew abatement.

*Any and all addendums or changes to the wood floor manufacturer’s warranties will be reflected in the execution of Franklin International’s warranty immediately upon release by the wood floor manufacturer. The effective date of said changes and addendums will dictate coverage by Franklin International in relation to the date of installation. As Franklin International is honoring the applicable terms of all wood floor manufacturers’ current published warranties, Franklin International will also require the same jobsite preparations and installation instructions that accompany each warranty in question.

In the case of subfloor moisture warranties, Franklin International will cover cupping and buckling of the wood floor when the wood floor manufacturer names coverage of these phenomenon explicitly in their subfloor moisture warranty (where applicable) for a period of 10 years for residential applications and 5 years for commercial applications.