Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Yes, with these limitations: Use MAPEI adhesive Ultrabond ECO 350, Ultrabond ECO 360, Ultrabond ECO 373 or Ultrabond ECO 399. Also, follow MAPEI’s Technical Data Sheet instructions and use a 1/32" (1 mm) U-notch trowel. Finally, expect 60 to 90 minutes of flash time before installing the LVP/LVT.

Yes, you can install any form of carpet tile using Ultrabond ECO 379.

Yes, with these limitations: Tile must be installed per installation standards published in the most current TCNA Handbook, ANSI 108 specification. And if the OSB is weather-beaten or delaminated, it must be properly overlaid with a cement backer unit or an additional layer of subfloor.

Yes, however, do not use with radiant floor-heating systems that exceed 104°F (40°C). 

Yes, it can be used for sound reduction, crack isolation, waterproofing and vapor management. However, when using Mapesonic 2 for vapor management, do not use MAPEI SM Primer or MAPEI SM Primer Fast; instead, use MAPEI HM Primer. If there are seams, the use of Mapetape BB tape is also be necessary for waterproofing and vapor management.  

Yes, with these limitations: Do not use on exterior floors with drainage of less than 1/4" per foot (6 mm per 30 cm). And do not use on shower floors or in submerged applications, or on floors subject to standing water.

Ultrabond ECO 379 differs from its sister products in that it is specifically designed to be applied using a roller. Its viscosity is low, making it easy to roller-apply, but somewhat difficult with a notched trowel. If necessary, Ultrabond ECO 379 could be applied using a trowel, but the result might be a bit messy if the trowel is moved quickly across the floor as with Ultrabond ECO 373 or Ultrabond ECO 399. 

The answer to this question depends on what substrate you are working over. If you are installing adhesives over soft surfaces like plywood, then a trowel can last quite a while. If you are installing over a concrete or hard, abrasive surface, then a trowel may last about 2,000 square feet (186 m²) before the notches wear down. An installer may think that this is a good thing because his coverage will get better per gallon of adhesive, but in the end this is not a good situation as there may not be enough adhesive on the floor for proper bonding. Some trowels may last longer, but this is always something to check before getting started on any given flooring project: Make sure that your trowel is in good condition and will deliver the right amount of adhesive required for the project.

Since the introduction of the BioBlock logo in 2003, MAPEI has continued to develop and expand the range and depth of products that include this technology. The list of MAPEI products that carry the BioBlock logo is evolving with the technology and is constantly growing. Look for these innovative products across the following categories: Liquid membranes, adhesives, sealants, caulks, mortars, grouts and finishes.

Excess moisture in a plywood or wood substrate is a probably just as damaging to a floor installation as high moisture content in a concrete slab. According to industry standards, the moisture content of a plywood substrate should be in the range of 10% to 15%. Dryer than that risks extreme adhesive absorption and subsequently poor adhesive transfer to the flooring. Wetter than that (such as through exposure to rain before installation) and the adhesives will take longer to dry; then when you have installed the flooring and the plywood has dried out, you will see the result of the plywood panel shrinkage through the surface of the flooring. A critical success factor for any floor installation is to make sure that the substrate you are working on is stable and acclimated to the working environment. Anytime you step outside that playing field, you will find yourself in trouble.

There are a few great reasons why applying a flooring adhesive with a paint roller is a good idea. The first, and probably the most obvious, is that you get to apply the flooring adhesive from a standing position. It's no longer necessary to crawl across the floor on your hands and knees when you can stand up and apply using a roller. Another advantage is that your coverage will increase on a per-gallon basis. Roller-applied adhesives typically are applied rather thinly, which extends the coverage by as much as 50% – a real savings on a per-square-foot basis. Yet another advantage to applying adhesive with a roller is that the drying time is much faster than with traditional trowel applications. Being that it is applied in a thin coat, the adhesive flashes off quickly, allowing for flooring installation much faster than with traditional methods.

Open time, sometimes called flash time, describes the amount of time that you want the freshly troweled adhesive to remain open to the elements before you start installing floor covering. There is a good reason why open time needs to be followed: Many water-based adhesives need a little time to start evaporating and letting some of the water out before you start installing flooring. Moisture-curing adhesives need to be exposed to atmospheric humidity to get the reaction started. Again, if you start installing before allowing for the recommended open or flash time, you run the risk of a delayed curing time, which can lead to placement problems and long-term performance issues.