Installation instructions on a concrete base

Flexitec Rubber tiles are a moulded rubber product and for the best results MUST be laid using different techniques from those commonly used for brick or clay tiles or other floor coverings.

• tiles have slightly varying dimensions. Our specification is 997 x 997 (+/-) 3mm.
• Follow recommended laying procedure to minimise gaps.
• tiles are porous and absorb water that can cause expansion of up to 2% (i.e. up to 20mm per metre).
• tiles must not be allowed to get wet before installation.
• Thermal expansion and contraction may result in some gaps unless these Installation Instructions are followed. tiles should be stored in the shade before installation.
• tiles have an open surface that will absorb builder's dust, paint etc. and paved areas should be covered after installation if other building trades are still working (or walking) over them.

Sub-base Preparation
Concrete, Timber, Ceramics and Bricks

• Surface should be smooth, clean, dry and not flaky. All dust and dirt must be swept away.
• Old concrete surfaces may need some repair before application of adhesive and tiles; e.g. chip away loose material, fill and smooth out gaps or cavities, scrape or sand off old bituminous type adhesives.
• Where the concrete surface has deteriorated, faulty material must be removed by either a mechanical scarifier, sand blasting or washing with 15% hydrochloric acid and water solution.
• Remove all heavy grime and laitence with a wire brush.
• Dusty, sandy or porous surfaces should be treated with a suitable primer-sealer. Allow primer to dry thoroughly before applying adhesive.
• The surface should have a slight gradient to ensure adequate drainage - 1% on pathways and 3% on large areas is sufficient. Ensure water either runs off the surface or has a drainage outlet under the tiles. tiles should not be left to sit in pools of water, even if stuck with a full spread of adhesive.
• Use a wood float or broom to finish new concrete surfaces. Do not leave a steel float finish.
• New concrete slabs should be allowed to cure for at least 28 days before applying adhesive.
• Highly glazed ceramic tiles must be lightly sanded to give the adhesive a 'key'.
• The tops of all bricks or tiles must be level. Ensure that joins in the rubber tiles do not sit immediately above a mortar or grout line in the bricks or tiles. If this cannot be avoided, the grout should be filled and made level with the top of the brick or tile surface.

It is the installer's responsibility to make sure all surfaces are in suitable condition to ensure good adhesion.
If in any doubt as to the adhesion, a test is advised. Logic Australia will not accept any responsibility for the results of installation over inappropriately prepared sub-bases.

Laying tiles

"Loose" Laying
All Flexitec Safety Surfaces are moulded products. They change shape as they cool after removal from the mould. All tiles have a production tolerance of +/- 3mm in all dimensions.
This means that thickness and length differences may occur between tiles. We recommend that all tiles be "loose laid" on the prepared surface before any adhesive is used. tiles should be moved to minimise differences between adjacent tiles, lifted whilst adhesive is spread, and then relaid in exactly the same pattern.

Gaps between tiles can be minimised by.....

• laying in "brickbond" pattern so that only two corners meet, rather than four corners (see diagram).
• inspecting the results of the "loose laying" and moving tiles until all gaps are minimised.

Check carefully for any softer patches in tiles to be placed in the very high wear areas at doorways or corners. Any such tiles should be used around the edges where wear is lowest.

Where to start laying

Rubber tiles often require laying to be started in a different place from cement tiles, ceramic or vinyl tiles because.....

• Some tiles (Fallsafe or Drainage) have hollows underneath that will be exposed if a cut tile is laid at the edge of a platform.
• When a coloured tile is cut, the cut edge is darker than the surface of the new tile. If laying on a raised terrace do not have cut edges of tiles along the edge of the terrace that is seen from outside.
  

Irregular layouts should be drawn on squared paper before installation to minimise the number of small pieces of tile laid in high wear areas.

• Arrange the brickbond pattern so that the straight lines are ACROSS the longest axis.
• The first run of tiles must be laid ACCURATELY. Use a chalk line, positioned to allow for any cut-ins for doors, etc or wall misalignment.
• All tiles should be laid as tightly together as possible. tiles should be "kicked" together - do not leave gaps.
• If laying on or towards a sloping surface. ALWAYS start at the bottom as tiles are liable to slide before the adhesive cures, leaving gaps at the top.

Cutting tiles

When loose laying, cut all tiles in dry before adhesive is spread. Pre-cut tiles can then be perfectly placed on the adhesive. tiles may be cut to fit the desired area using either a sharp blade utility knife (such as a Stanley TM knife) or a jig-saw fitted with a sharp, flat (not serrated) jig-saw blade, such as Bosch model T313AW.

• Bend the tile backwards to open up the cut to reduce friction on the table.
• To fit around the uprights of Playground Equipment, etc. make a straight cut in from the edge which will carry the least traffic, then cut around the shape of the upright. Fill any gaps around the uprights with suitably coloured sealant such as Fullers "Caulk in Color" available in Redwood, Brunswick Green or Black.

Flexitec recommends that tiles are installed after all other trades have finished. If this is not possible, protect new tiles with plastic sheets until the project is complete. Ground-in builder's dust is almost impossible to fully clean.

Adhesive

Coverage: Allow adhesive coverage of approximately 1m² per kg. This will vary according to surface condition. Rough surfaces will require more adhesive.

For applications where the surface temperature of the sub-base is over 15°C. Logic Australia supply and recommend 1718 Adhesive, a two-part epoxy adhesive specially formulated to withstand the forces generated by rubber tiles.
1718 Adhesive has a "Pot Life" of about 15 minutes at 25°C, plus an open time of a further 30 minutes once poured out of the bucket. Full cure is not achieved until after to 2 days @ 15°C or 1 day @ 25°C.
Below about 10°C curing will be suspended and a poor bond will result. If the surface temperature of your sub-base is likely to fall below 10°C within 8 hours of laying, we recommend the use of our LT Adhesive which will cure in temperatures down to 0°C.

Mixing

As 1718 and LT adhesives are thicker than paint, we recommend using an electric drill of at least 1000W power rating. Part A drums are supplied half full to allow Part B to be added and mixed. Stir Part A drums thoroughly then add Part B and mix both parts together until a uniform colour is achieved.

• Pour the adhesive out soon after mixing. Do not leave the mix in the bucket - it will harden rapidly.
• Spread the adhesive uniformly over the entire surface to be paved, using a notched trowel where the notches are 3-4mm apart and 3-4mm deep.
• Position tiles into wet adhesive in the same positions as previously "loose laid".
• Do not spread adhesive over wet surfaces - do not lay during rain.
• tiles must remain dry until the adhesive has cured. Allow a minimum cure time of 8 hours at 25°C. Curing is slower in cold conditions and faster in warmer conditions.
• Avoid contact with skin and eyes. Wear protective gloves and eye protection when mixing or using this adhesive. See instructions on adhesive label.
  

Unlike contact adhesives, Epoxy (and Polyurethane) adhesives have very low initial "tack". The adhesive relies upon the thickness of the adhesive film to hold down the tile so each tile MUST be pressed down firmly (walk all over them with clean shoes) or rolled into the adhesive as it is laid.

• If necessary, weights should be placed on corners until partial curing occurs if there is ANY sign of lifting during laying.
• If there is any slope, always start laying at the bottom of the slope. (The tiles are liable to "creep" down the slope before the adhesive cures, leaving gaps, if you start at the top).
• Keep all traffic off the tiles for at least 8 hours after laying to allow the adhesive to cure to a reasonable strength level.
• If mounting onto a wall, EVERY tile must be fully pressed against the wall over its entire surface until the adhesive is cured. Start from the bottom and lay only one layer and then put the bracing in place for every tile before starting the next row.

Laying tiles on Steps

Flexitec tiles can be successfully installed on steps and landings as follows:

• If the "riser" (the front of the step) is to be covered with tiles, this must be done before tiles are installed on the step surface. Any excess adhesive that runs off the bottom will be covered later by the tile on the top of the step.
• The riser must be cut accurately to be level with the surface of the step.
• Do not have cut edges of tiles on the edge of the step. The moulded edge is stronger and looks much better.
• Allow for the thickness of the riser and cut two pieces from each tile for the step then cut the risers from the piece that is left.
• tiles must be glued to the step surface.
• The front edge of the tile must not protrude over the front of the riser.
• We recommend that a conventional stair nosing be screwed through the tile and into the step.

Laying tiles without Adhesive - indoors only

Logic Australia do not recommend laying tiles outdoors without adhesive, but indoor installations will generally be successful if the following instructions are followed:

• If tiles are to be "loose laid" in a dry, temperature-controlled area, we suggest that all tiles are acclimatised. Remove them from the pallets and spread them around the room where they will be laid, for at least 24 hours prior to being cut in.
• If the completed installation is contained within a framework using either walls or edge strips, a gap of at least 10mm per lineal metre should be left on at least two sides of the paved area to allow for any movement that may occur due to temperature differences. Fill this gap a few days later, once the tiles have stabilised in their new environment. Consult us on the range of edge strips available.
• If there is any subsequent movement of tiles, double-sided carpet tape will usually hold them in place.

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