Home Installing Stair Treads

stair tread installation guide

 

 

PREPARING THE SUBSTRATE

RUBBER STAIR TREAD AND RISER INSTALLATIONS

RUBBER STAIR TREAD INSTALLATIONS

#5 EPOXY FLOORING ADHESIVE

RUBBER STAIR TREAD NOSING INSTALLATIONS

 

PREPARING THE SUBSTRATE
New concrete sub-floors
– Prepare concrete in accordance with ASTM F710. Concrete should be troweled to a smooth even surface and be aged for at least 90 days. Expansion joints should be properly filled. Neutralize the surface of the concrete. Use either 1 part Muriatic Acid and 9 parts water or 1 part vinegar and 5 parts water to make a good neutralizing agent. Solution should remain on floor for at least one hour then flush thoroughly and allow concrete to dry thoroughly (minimum 48 hours at 70°F.). Concrete should be sound, hard and free from scale or other imperfections and thoroughly dry when installation is made. It is recommended that all concrete floors undergo a 72-hour moisture test. Moisture transmission should not exceed three (3) pounds per thousand square feet per twenty four hours.

CAUTION - cinder fill, vermiculite, pumice and other aggregates which are hygroscopic in nature cause the concrete to be very slow drying. This type of concrete will easily absorb excessive moisture from atmosphere and other sources. Any concrete curing compound must be completely removed.

Wood Sub-Floors: An exterior grade plywood is recommended with one side sanded. Luan Plywood, Particle Board, Chip Board or Hard Board should not be used as underlayment. Be sure wood sub-floor is thoroughly nailed or otherwise securely fastened to the substrate. If the wood sub-floor is uneven, it should be thoroughly sanded. The dust from the sanding operation should be removed by vacuuming.

NOTE: AS WITH ANY ADHESIVE, CARE MUST BE TAKEN TO ASSURE PROPER VENTILATION ON THE JOB SITE. SEE LABEL DIRECTIONS ON CAN.


LIMITATIONS:
We do not recommend that our Sheet Rubber or Rubber Tile Flooring be installed in the following: below grade installations, exterior installations, in areas where excessive moisture exists, commercial kitchens, or over existing floor coverings, adhesives, or painted surfaces.

If a non-conductive flooring material can be used in hospital operating suites, #5 Epoxy Adhesive must be used with the installation of  Sheet Rubber and Rubber Tile Flooring because of the unusual maintenance conditions that prevail.

For on-grade installations where there is a possibility of moisture being present, it is recommended that #5 Epoxy Adhesive be used. Where excessive moisture exists, we do not recommend the installation of our sheet Rubber or Rubber Tile Flooring.

When rubber Flooring is to be installed over a plywood sub-floor treated with fire retardants, contact us for recommendations.

NOTE: 3/32" and 1/8" gauge Flexi-Flor® Sheet Rubber must be installed by overlapping and double cutting materials


 

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RUBBER STAIR TREAD AND RISER INSTALLATIONS

Note:
For Tread nosing, see #10 Epoxy Stair Nosing Caulk below
Note: For Target® Stair Treads, see #5 Epoxy below

DIRECTIONS:

  • Be sure the substrate is clean, dry and smooth. Avoid waxed surfaces, loose paint and other contaminations.
  • Stair Treads and Risers should be pre-cut side to side and front to back before spreading any adhesive. Abrasive Strips should be cut 1⁄16" shorter than the overall length of the Stair Tread. Make sure Stair Treads will slide onto and off of step before applying adhesive. Do not force Treads in at ends - cut loosely.
  • Apply adhesive with a notched spreader having notches 1/16" deep, spread 1/16" on centers. Apply only to an area of such size that stair treads or risers can be set while adhesive is still wet. Avoid letting the adhesive skin over.
  • Lay the Stair Treads in place while adhesive is still wet. Be sure good contact is established and maintained. Thoroughly roll the Stair Treads with a hand roller to assure a good bond.
  • Wet adhesive smears should be removed immediately with a damp cloth. Dry adhesive can be cleaned with mineral spirits. Be careful: mineral spirits is harmful to coverings and will soften the adhesive bond if it gets under the Stair Treads.
  • Do not allow traffic until 48 hours after installation.
  • Approximate coverage 100 square feet per gallon.

 

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RUBBER STAIR TREAD INSTALLATIONS

Note: #5 Epoxy MUST be used for Target® Stair Tread installations
Note: For Tread nosing, see #10 Epoxy Stair Nosing Caulk below

DIRECTIONS:

  • Be sure the substrate is clean, dry and smooth. Avoid waxed surfaces, loose paint and other contaminations.
  • Stair Treads and Risers should be pre-cut side to side and front to back before spreading any adhesive. Abrasive Strips should be cut 1⁄16" shorter than the overall length of the Stair Tread. Make sure Stair Treads will slide onto and off of step before applying adhesive. Do not force Treads in at ends - cut loosely.
  • Pour equal amounts of part “B” into part “A” and mix until completely uniform. Bond strength depends on efficient mixing. Do not dilute adhesive with solvents.
  • Do not mix more adhesive than you can spread in 30 minutes. A complete unit of part “A” and part “B” should cover approximately 150 sq. ft. per gallon unit.
  • Do not allow mixture of part “A” and part “B” to remain in the container more than 30 minutes.
  • Rubber Stair Tread, room and adhesive should be 70°F. (21°C.) 48 hours prior to, during and after installation. Spread the adhesive with a trowel with (V) notches (notches 1⁄16" wide and 1⁄16" deep and on 1⁄16" centers).
  • Do not place Stair Treads in adhesive too soon. Allow 30 minutes for adhesive to partially set before laying the Treads. This prevents Tread from slipping and adhesive oozing through joints or seams.
  • Do not kneel or walk directly on Stair Treads as installation progresses. Kneel on piece of plywood or Masonite.
  • After Stair Treads have been in the adhesive for 1 hour, roll thoroughly with a hand roller. It may be necessary to weight Treads until a suitable bond has been established.
  • Do not allow traffic or institute general cleaning procedures until 48 hours after installation.
  • Remove excess adhesive from treads and tools with warm, soapy water before adhesive hardens.

 

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#5 EPOXY FLOORING ADHESIVE
TARGET® TILE AND FLEXI-FLOR® SHEET RUBBER AND TILE FLOORING INSTALLATIONS

DIRECTIONS: Be sure sub-floor is dry, clean, smooth and free from foreign matter.

 

 

  • Pour equal amounts of part “B” into part “A” and mix until completely uniform. Bond strength depends on efficient mixing. Do not dilute adhesive.
  • Do not mix more adhesive than you can spread in 30 minutes. A complete unit of part “A” and part “B” should cover approximately 150 sq. ft. per gallon unit.
  • Do not allow mixture of part “A” and part “B” to remain in the container more than 30 minutes.
  • Rubber Floor Covering, room and adhesive should be 70°F. (21°C.) 48 hours prior to, during and after installation. Spread the adhesive with a trowel with (V) notches (notches 1⁄16" wide and 1⁄16" deep and 1⁄16" centers).
  • Do not place flooring in adhesive too soon. Allow 30 minutes for adhesive to partially set before laying the flooring. This prevents flooring from slipping and adhesive oozing through joints or seams.
  • Do not kneel or walk directly on flooring as installation progresses. Kneel on piece of plywood or Masonite.
  • After Flooring has been in the adhesive for 1 hour, cross roll thoroughly with a 100 to 150 pound sectional roller. It may be necessary to weight seams until a suitable bond has been established.
  • Do not place furniture, allow traffic or institute general cleaning procedures until 48 hours after installation.
  • Remove excess adhesive from flooring and tools with warm, soapy water before adhesive hardens.

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RUBBER STAIR TREAD NOSING INSTALLATIONS
#10 EPOXY NOSING CAULK

Note: This product also available in dual cartridge with mixing nozzle.

DIRECTIONS:

  • Be sure substrate is clean, dry and smooth.
  • Room and all materials must be minimum 70°F. (21°C.) 48 hours prior to, during and after installation.
  • Stair Treads and Nosing must be precut to length prior to beginning application.
  • Thoroughly mix equal parts of “A” and “B”. Bond strength depends on efficient mixing. Do not dilute caulk with solvents.
  • For old stairs trowel mixed caulk onto areas in bad condition to form normal contour. Be sure compound is thoroughly embedded into holes or depressions. Proceed as for new stairs.
  • New stairs - use a spatula to apply sufficient compound to inside of nosing to eliminate any gaps between nosing and stair. Apply appropriate Stair Tread Adhesive to the step and balance of part being installed. Let dry 10-15 minutes. Install and press nosing firmly into place. Clean excess compound off with water immediately, protect from traffic for 48 hours.
  • Fresh compound may be removed with water. Hardened compound may be removed in first 24 hours with mineral spirits. Be careful: mineral spirits is harmful to floor coverings and will ruin the adhesive bond if it gets under the Stair Treads.
  • Approximate coverage 40 lineal feet (1/2" bead)

 

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