LokDots® for installation
Notice!
For best results, review the following guidelines prior to installation. Shaw will not be responsible for improper installation and failure to follow these guidelines may result in limiting your warranty coverage.
These installation procedures are intended for indoor use to assist in the installation Shaw EcoWorx® and StrataWorx® tile under most job conditions. See Shaw Industries and CRI 104 Commercial Installation Guidelines for specific questions regarding installation not covered within or refer to Shaw Technical Support at 1.800.471.7429. Any variance from these procedures will become the responsibility of the installer and not the manufacturer. Additional information regarding LokDots can be found at www.LokDots.com.
1. CONDITION YOUR SITE AND TEST
A proper installation depends on the proper site conditions and product storage. Do not store LokDots at temperatures exceeding 120°F. LokDots are freeze-thaw stable; however LokDots must be allowed to acclimate to site conditions of 65°F prior to application. The following conditions must be maintained for 24 hours prior to, during and permanently after installation:
- HVAC System: Must be operational maintaining the following conditions.
- Temperature: The installation site, carpet and adhesive must be between 50°F and 95°F. Do not begin the installation if the subfloor temperature is below 50°F.
- Humidity: The installation site’s ambient relative humidity must not fall below 40%.
- Moisture/pH: Is not required for EcoWorx/StrataWorx when using LokDots, provided the site is absent of hydrostatic pressure. See Carpet Tile Installation for additional information.
It is the sole responsibility of the installer, general contractor, architect of record or owner, as a condition of warranty coverage, to first determine the suitability and compatibility of our product for the user’s intended use. LokDots is not a moisture remediation solution. If visible moisture is present or there are known moisture issues such as hydrostatic pressure, additional steps should be taken to address the moisture issues.
2. PREPARE THE FLOOR
The floor must be smooth and level removing any previous adhesives in order for the LokDots to bond the carpet tile securely to the subfloor. Fill depressions or cracks with a cementitious patching / leveling compound that meet or exceed Shaw Industries maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable.
For cracks or saw cuts deeper than 1", follow the preparation and application instructions for Shaw QuikFill. QuikFill is a 2-part urethane treatment that prevents future damage from moisture penetrating to the surface of the slab that may damage or breakdown adhesives or unapproved patching compounds.
You may use wax-based (green) sweeping compounds it you sweep and remove them immediately.
The substrates must be structurally sound, clean, level and dry. The substrate must be free of dust, dirt, oil, grease, paint, curing agents, concrete sealers, adhesives, loosely bonded toppings, loose particles and any other substance or condition that may prevent or reduce adhesion.
NOTE: Do not sand or scrape Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAD without proper attention to abatement procedures and precautions in accordance with all state and local codes. Shaw Industries makes no claims as to the acceptability of this procedure as a mitigation method in lieu of asbestos removal; and accepts no responsibility if any loose asbestos- containing floorings are affected upon removal of a Shaw Industries product.
Dusting/Powdering of Concrete: Damp mop the subfloor as dusting and powdering will interfere with the adhesion. As water becomes contaminated, make sure to exchange with clean water as needed.
Patch, Leveler, Lightweight Concrete: Prime the surface with a paint roll application ofliquid latex such as Shaw 9050.
VCTandVAT: All tiles must be secure to the subfloor. Existing surface wax does not need to be removed.
Wood Subfloors: Floors must be Wood Association Approved and primed with a paint roll application of liquid latex such as Shaw 9050.
Raised Access Flooring: All panels must be smooth, level, secure and free of any adhesives or material that will affect the adhesive bond. Carpet tiles must be installed offset from access panel seams. Gaps between panels must not exceed 1/16" (1.6 mm).
3. LAY OUT YOUR SITE
- Start the tile installation as near to the center of the room as possible and position it to use the largest perimeter cut tile size.
- Snap a chalk line parallel to one major wall bisecting the starting point. It may be necessary to offset the center chalk line to assure perimeter tiles will be at least half size.
- Snap a second chalk line from the starting point at 90° to the first line. Use a 3-4-5, 6-8-10, or larger triangle depending on the room size. Meters or feet may be used to lay out the triangle in these proportions.
4. SET UP THE LOKDOTS APPLICATOR
Load applicator.
- Open cover and place LokDots roll onto the larger applicator wheel so that it unwinds in a clockwise direction. Use the bar in the center of the wheel to lock into place.
- Pull leader liner forward winding over the first roller and under the second roller. Pull tightly over top of roll.
Use applicator.
- Place the nose roller on the back of the tile in the area for adhesive.
- Using a slow, controlled application speed, pull the dispenser toward you. Apply the amount of adhesives that fit the application.
Applicator troubleshooting.
- The applicator came apart.
The dispenser is very robust. If the cover separates from the dispenser when dropped, snap it back on!
- Removing adhesive from carpet face or other material.
Using a few LokDots, blot the adhesive stuck to the undesired surface to pull the adhesive up.
LokDots can also be removed from the face of the carpet by freezing the LokDot with ice then removing the adhesive. Rubbing alcohol may also be applied to release adhesive.
- The liner is wrapping back around on itself.
The liner usually wraps back on itself if the used release liner doesn’t remain tight. To ensure that the liner has tension during application, thread the used liner through the slot in the take up wheel.
5. APPLY LOKDOTS
Directional arrows are featured on the back of the tile. Numbers within the arrows are for manufacturing purposes and are not related to installation.
6. INSTALL YOUR TILES
See product specific installation guidelines for additional information. Install each full carton and complete an entire pallet before starting another pallet to minimize product variation. Each tile has directional arrows on the back. These arrows allow for one-directional or muIti-directional installation. Some styles may be large scale or linearin design and require quarter turning. If you are unsure about whether or not your product requires a quarter turned installation, please call 1.877.502.7429.
- Carpet tiles come in various sizes and shapes. A|| Shaw tiles have directional arrows on the back of the tile. This facilitates the installation method which is based on the requirements of the product, or the preference of the customer.
- Apply LokDots adhesive tabs to the back of each tile in the pattern shown above. Start approximately 2” from the edge of the tile and move down the tile perpendicular to the directional arrows.
- Slide tile into position to prevent yarn from being trapped between the tiles. Trapped yarn will adversely affect the appearance of the installation and will cause alignment problems.
- Tiles must fit snugly, but not be compressed. Press the entire surface of the tile to ensure adhesion. Check for fit by measuring the length of ten full tiles after installation. The measurement must not be less than, or exceed by more than 1/4 inch, the length of the tiles being multiplied by ten. For example: if 24" X24" tiles are being installed, the measurement should be between 240 and 240 1/4 inches.
- Roll the entire installation with a 75 lb. or greater roller to assure the proper adhesion to the substrate.
7. CUT YOUR TILES
- A performance feature of LokDots is its ability to secure the perimeter and any cut tiles in the installation. For ease of installation to secure the perimeter, LokDots may be applied to the floor to facilitate cutting the tile from the face side. We recommend properly securing the perimeter as well as field cuts as this prevents shifting over the life of the installation.
- Measure and cut tiles from the back using a straight edge. Care must be taken to assure the arrows are pointing in the correct direction. Once cut, LokDots may be applied to the trimmed tile then put into place.
- Or let tiles cove up the wall and cut with a carpet knife, wall trimmer or similar tool. Do not compress.
8. POST INSTALLATION CARE AND PROTECTION
- Place plywood over the carpet when heavy objects are moved within 24 hours after installation.
- Use protective chair mats under chairs with casters. This will prevent excessive wear to the face of the carpet.
- Place a non-staining building material paper over the carpet to protect it when additional construction activity is to take place. Do not use plastic sheeting as it will trap moisture.
- When replacing or moving existing carpet tile, a reapplication of LokDots is recommended to ensure a proper bond to the substrate.
For best results, temperatures should remain above 50°F and the ambient humidity should not fall below 40%.