Carpet Installation Check Off List

1. Newly poured concrete floors generally will take 90 to 120 days to cure. If the moisture content is over 65% carpet should not be installed until the concrete has cured to an acceptable level.
2. The alkalinity or PH in a concrete slab should be between the range of 5 and 9 for a Direct-Glue Down Installation.
3. The temperature of a concrete slab must be stabilized above 65 degrees both 24 hours prior to and after the installation.
4. The following environmental conditions inside the building are critical for proper installation. Temperature must be between 65 degrees F and 95 degrees F and the humidity between 10% and 65% for at least 72 hours before and 72 hours after installation. In addition, adhesive and seam sealer should be stored under these conditions for a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation.
5. Old cut back adhesive must be properly sealed or removed prior to any Direct-Glue Down Installation. See note below.
6. Carpet should be rolled our and allowed to relax for at least 24 hours prior to installation.
7. Never install carpet over carpet.
8. Never cut carpet over carpet as this can result in over penetration of blade, and cutting of carpet loops on carpet being cut over.
9. Carpet should never be folded or creased, as this can result in permanent wrinkles.
10. Furniture placement and heavy traffic should be avoided for at least 24 hours after a Direct-Glue Down Installation. Furniture and heavy equipment concentrate pressure on carpet and can cause an adhesive breakdown during movement over unprotected carpet. This may result in buckling and/or wrinkling. It is strongly recommended that during this move-in phase, plywood or masonite board be used over the carpet to spread the concentrated weight of furniture and heavy equipment.

NOTE: Asbestos containing floor tiles, any adhesive possibly containing asbestos or other asbestos containing floor coverings require special preparation, handling and removal procedures. Consult appropriate local or state authorities or the Resilient Floor Covering Institute before disturbing any suspected asbestos containing material.

Pile Direction 
Woven Velvet- will have two ends of false colored selvage on each side. The wire side will have two different colors and shuttle side two ends of same color. Karaloc- will have a red line on back running 4 inches from selvage along one side of the carpet. Tufted- will have arrows on back and/or a colored yarn tufted on one side.

Lengthwise Cuts 
Bend the carpet along the length to expose the two backing yarns between the lines of the pile. Part or trace the pile with a screwdriver along the length of the proposed cut. Start the cut by making a small incision on the edge with a carpet knife. Insert the top cutter between the backing yarns and cut along the face of the carpet. The top cutter should always be inserted so that the blade marked "close" is against the carpet edge to be seamed.

Widthwise Cuts 
Follow the same procedure as for lengthwise cutting with the top cutter inserted with the blade closest to the seam edge. All cut edges must be sealed with a thin coating of Nu Broadlokª Edge Sealer by pressing latex into the base of the pile and backing.

Pattern Matching It must be understood that carpet is a textile and cannot be made to exact specifications. All pattern carpet is subject to certain manufacturing tolerances, therefore, a perfect pattern match cannot be guaranteed. Tolerances for Patterned Carpet Are: Bow: 1-1/2 inch across the 12 foot width Skew (Bias): 1-1/2 inch across the 12 foot width Pattern Elongation: 2 inches in 12 feet in the length If you are having trouble matching a pattern "stop" and call the Hotline number @1-800-553-6045 Extension 62347 at once.

NOTE: Pattern installation instructions and diagrams shipped in each roll of carpet.

Roll Sequencing: 
Rolls of patterned carpet must be sequenced so the longest pattern is installed first and the roll with the next longest pattern can be stretched to match the longer one. This procedure is critical in that it is impossible to shrink a longer pattern to match a shorter pattern. This will require that each roll be measured for pattern repeat prior to installation.

Equipment Recommendations 
For stretch in installation and for stretching to match pattern on glue down installation a Senior Power Stretcher and a Crab Stretcher are required to obtain suitable matches. Knee kickers should only be used to position the carpet. The same procedures should be used for Double Glue Down Installations.
*A dead man and pull boards are required for obtaining suitable stretch on longer breadths.

Corrective Steps for Bow and Skew 
For direct glue, cut a breadth at one end on the pattern and spread adhesive allowing room to make a seam. Push the short corners to the wall and stretch the excess carpet created by the bow or skew to the opposite wall using a power stretcher and crab stretcher. Use stay nails to hold the pattern in place until the adhesive sets. Follow this procedure throughout the installation.

Trueness of Edge 
After trimming and sealing the edges, carpet should be dry laid with the short edge overlapping till the void disappears. Working from a chalk line, fold carpet back 4 to 6 foot on each breadth, spread Nu Broadlok Adhesive and allow adhesive to tack up. The breadth that overlaps must be compressed to form the seam, forcing the excess carpet away from the seam. It may be necessary to stay nail along the seam until adhesive cures. The fullness/excess carpet should be dispersed into surrounding areas by rolling away from the seam.

Pattern Elongation 
All rolls should be dry laid and the pattern repeat measured to establish the correct roll sequence. The longest pattern must be installed first, then the next longest, etc..this allows stretching of shorter pattern to longer pattern and keeps the closest pattern repeats together. After the roll sequence is established, glue half of the long pattern and half of the shorter pattern lengthwise. Stretch the shorter pattern to match the longer pattern by starting in center of the seam and stretching toward the ends. Stay nails will be needed to secure the pattern match as adhesive sets.

Applying Approved Adhesive for Direct Glue Down 
Nu Broadlok ª is the only approved adhesive for use in Direct-Glue Down installations. The use of Nu Broadlok Adhesive is vital in assuring optimum results. Applying an improper adhesive can result in an installation failure for which Mohawk cannot be held responsible. Substitutions must be approved by Mohawk Field Services. To make certain that the proper amount of adhesive is transferred to the back of the carpet, a 1/8" x 1/16" x 1/8" V-Notched trowel must be used. This will result in a spread rate of 10 to 12 yards per gallon.

Proper Open Time 
Proper open time is critical for adhesive to develop proper tack. Open time will usually range from 10 to 30 minutes but should be evaluated in a small area before proceeding with the installation. The adhesive must be "tacky" before carpet is dropped in place. Installing carpet before adhesive has reached a "tacky" stage could result in poor adhesion and an installation failure.

Installation

1. Place two lengths in proper position for installing, trim selvages. Line up seam edge with chalk line perfectly flat and tension free. Fold or roll both widths back three feet from seam area the entire length of the carpet.
2. Spread the Nu Broadlok Adhesive from approximate center towards each end using a 1/8" x 1/16/" x 1/8" V-Notched trowel with steady even strokes. When sufficient floor area has been covered with Nu Broadlok wait until adhesive has reached appropriate "tacky" stage before dropping the first breadth of carpet into place. Apply coating of Nu Broadlok Seam Sealer to seam edge of the first breadth. Be sure to follow this procedure for each succeeding breadth at seam. Drop or roll second breadth into position, and fit the seam in tightly using a knee kicker if necessary. Roll looseness and air bubbles away from seam.
3. The remaining portion of the first breadth can now be folded or rolled back from floor. The Nu Broadlok Adhesive is applied to the floor and after waiting for the adhesive to reach the proper "tacky" stage the carpet can be dropped into place. Be sure to have enough people spreading the adhesive so that after the floor is covered, each breadth is in place within the determined period of open time.
4. Roll or fold back dry portion of the second breadth towards seam, spread the Nu Broadlok and place the carpet to (3) feet from where next seam will fall.
5. Be sure to roll out looseness and air bubbles as carpet is put in place. Repeat above procedures on continuing breadths. For trimming carpet at wall, use a razor blade knife or suitable wall trimmer.
6. Roll completed installation with a 50 to 75 lb. roller in both length and width. This will allow proper adhesive penetration to carpet back.

Double Bond Procedures Available Upon Request

Suggested Tools and Material Needed

1. Senior Power Stretcher & Crab Stretcher
2. Nu Broadlok Adhesive
3. Nu Broadlok Seam Sealer
4. Nu Broadlok Edge Sealer
5. Knee Kicker (position carpet only)
6. Top Cutter
7. Stay Nails
8. Dead Man and Pull Boards

These items may be purchased from a local carpet workroom supplier.