Installation of Under Cushion for double-glue carpet

This article is about installing carpet using the double-stick or also called double-glue method when using a carpet underpad. This is our recommended application for the underpad XP Foundation or HT Foundation by Healthier Choice. These instructions are derived from ANSI standards and our experience with these products and also from having seen failures with using another method. We have seen bubbles and other problems develop over time from regular maintenance, steam cleaning, or excessive traffic.

These instructions are generally compliant with accepted industry installation methods and we have found it necessary to use this method in our installation of double-stick (double-glue) carpet installations. This method subscribes to a broader range of traffic conditions in that the final carpet installation has proven more successful under most traffic conditions and the rigorous maintenance which you will commonly see happening in hospitality applications such as hotels, restaurants and casinos.

Carpet underlay product used: Healthier Choice “XP Foundation” (.250, 16Lb) and “HT Foundation” (.175, 16Lb).

Instructions:

1.     Install with scrim side up, using a premium multi-purpose adhesive such as XL Brands “Gold Stix”, apply a full spread with trowel having notches 3/32”x3/32”x1/2”.  This trowel size permits immediate tack for the placement of the under cushion, while the ½” spacing permits easier scraping removal upon replacement.

2.     With the scrim side up, fit broadloom carpet. Apply a full spread of a premium multi-purpose adhesive with a trowel having notches ¼”x3/16”x5/16”.  Perform seaming and seam sealing of carpet with a thermo-plastic seaming method with reinforcing tape in-situ of the freshly applied multi-purpose adhesive.

Actionbac^tm backing carpet can be placed immediately on to the freshly applied multi-purpose adhesive. Note that the ¼” depth notch permits adhesive penetration to the primary backing to encapsulate the secondary backing; thereby, creating a unitary bond, with a greatly reduced potential for delaminations under heavy rolling traffic.

Reparability:

Having the under cushion scrim up permit easy repairs, as to remove damaged carpet by cutting the secondary backing to peel the carpet while leaving the under cushion intact but for the scrim which is also removed.  A patch can be fitted with no apparent difference in the thickness of the under lying cushion.

Removability:

Removal of the entire  double-glue installation is easily accomplished by cutting the carpet into small 9-12” strips with Gundlach No. 295 Uni-cutter, which has a depth control for the blade set to cut through to the bottom of  carpet/pad assembly.

If the blade of the Uni-Cutter is set to just cut through the secondary backing, and careful peeling back the carpet in small strips, it is possible to preserve the under cushion as a base for a second double-glue installation.

Hot GLUE2^tm Caption Instructions for Line Drawings

1.     Pre-fit carpet seams. (photo ref. #20)

2.     Fold back carpet on one side of seam. (photo ref. #20)

3.     Make a mark along the edge of the carpet, using the tape-guide marker. (photo ref. #20)

4.     Notation of the side of the scribed guide line to place the HG2 tape. (photo ref. #21)

5.     Fold back carpet on the second side of the seam. (photo ref. #22)

6.     Spread adhesive on side 6 inches past the scribed guide line. (photo ref. #22)

7.     Place HG2 tape abutting to the scribed guide line on the side previously noted. (photo ref. #25)

8.     Drop first side of the carpet on to the adhesive. (photo ref. #28)

9.     Spread adhesive on the second half of the seam. (photo ref. #30)

10.  Drop second side of the carpet on to the adhesive. (photo ref. #31)

11.  Align carpet seam to net fit prior to seaming (photo ref. #32)

12.  Position the HOT GLUE2^tm applicator between the adjoining edges of carpet. (photo ref. #43)

13.  Dispense thermoplastic adhesive. (photo ref. #44)

14.  Roll the seam with a flat roller. (photo ref. #46)

15.  Apply seam weight. (photo ref. #49)

16.  Repeat procedural step 13, 14 & 15 sequentially to finish the entire remain length of the seam.

Note: Photograph here reference are from the portfolio for the 2010 project at the Lac Ste. Anne Catholic Mission (Alberta Beach, AB Canada).