Installers, how well do you know basic subfloor preparation terminology? Take the quiz below and find out.

  EFFLORESCENCE

1.         Indirect lighting

2.         Strength of the acids in a substance

3.         Residue deposited on surface by crystallization of soluble salts

4.         Liquid sealer

  MORE POROUS SLAB

1.         The more vapor migration occurs and less open time for the adhesive

2.         The slower the water absorbs

3.         The easier the installation becomes

4.         The more open time for adhesive

  GYPSUM-BASED PATCHING COMPOUND

1.         Brown in color – higher psi rating – dries quickly

2.         White in color – lower psi rating – susceptible to mold and mildew

3.         Gray in color – higher psi rating – needs second coat

4.         Tan in color – lower psi rating – not susceptible to mold and mildew

  PORTLAND-BASED PATCHING COMPOUND

1.  Tan in color – lower psi rating – not susceptible to mold and mildew

2.  Brown in color – higher psi rating – dries quickly – will shrink – no second coat

3.  White in color – lower psi rating – susceptible to mold and mildew

4.  Gray in color – higher psi rating – does not promote mold and mildew

  SELF-LEVELING COMPOUNDS

1.  Gray in color – higher psi rating – needs second coat

2.  Tan in color – lower psi rating – not susceptible to mold and mildew

3.  White in color – lower psi rating – susceptible to mold and mildew

4.  Used for irregular substrates

  SEALERS

1.         Sealers address moisture, but not pH; can react with certain adhesives, causing failure

2.         All sealers are ready for floor coverings within 3 hours

3.         Sealers address moisture and pH and do not react with adhesives

4.         Sealers are top coatings and increase the amount of vapor emissions

  pH TEST OF CONCRETE

1.  Strong salt (alkali) reading is under 3

2.  Neutral is 7

3.  Determines the amount of water in the slab

4.  6 tests are taken for the first 1,000 square feet

    ACCLIMATION 1.         Not necessary for the majority of floor coverings

2.         Conditioning or relaxing of the materials in a heated, dry space prior to installation

3.         Necessary for a period of 30-minutes prior to installation

4.         Necessary for the time it takes to carry the flooring inside

  AMBIENT AIR

     1.  Air that is closer to the substrate

     2.  Air closer to the clouds

     3.  Air temperature surrounding all sides

     4.  Air that has nothing to do with flooring installation

  ASTM

1.         American Society for Testing and Materials - World’s largest voluntary standards program

2.         Associated System of Testing and Materials – World’s largest standards program

3.         Allied Standards for Testing and Materials - America’s compulsory standards program

4.         Association of Standards, Tests and Materials - Manufacturer standards program

  CALCIUM CHLORIDE TEST

1.         Determines that slab is safe to install flooring if moisture emission is 12-pounds or less.

2.         Quantitative test of concrete slab durability using anhydrous calcium chloride that represents the pounds of oil transmitted from the area

3.         Determines that the slab is safe to install flooring if the oil emission is 15-pounds.

4.         Quantitative measure of concrete slab moisture by a change of weight of moisture-absorbing anhydrous calcium chloride, representing moisture transmitted from the area.

  CONDENSATION    1.         The rise of temperature in the area to a higher level

2.         Conversion of the moisture in the air to water that can create material adhesive problems.

3.         Conversion of slab porosity to dryness level to install flooring

4.         Has nothing to do with the installation of flooring materials

      Answers: Efflorescence – 3; More Porous Slab – 1; Gypsum-based Patching Compound – 2; Portland-based Patching Compound – 4; Self-leveling Compounds – 4; Sealers – 1; pH Test – 2; Acclimation – 2; Ambient Air – 3; ASTM – 1; Calcium Chloride Test – 4; Condensation – 2