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What are the advantages of roller-applied flooring adhesives like Ultrabond ECO 379?

There are a few great reasons why applying a flooring adhesive with a paint roller is a good thing. 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.

How is Ultrabond ECO 379 different from Ultrabond ECO 373 or Ultrabond ECO 399?

Ultrabond ECO 379 differs from its sister products in that it is specifically designed to be applied using a roller. Its viscosity is low and easy to apply using a roller, but it would be difficult to apply using 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.

Can I install carpet tile using Ultrabond ECO 379?

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

Can I use an epoxy bonding agent with rapid-set concrete repair mortars?

No. Epoxy bonding agents are not recommended with rapid-set concrete repair mortars due to incompatibility with setting times. Rapid-set mortars begin to stiffen and harden quickly, often within minutes. Epoxy bonding agents take longer to cure and may still be tacky when the repair mortar starts setting, leading to poor adhesion.

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Why would I use a two-component synthetic turf adhesive like Ultrabond Turf PU 2K when there are one-component products like Ultrabond Turf PU 1K that are easier to use?

MAPEI is committed to offering a wide range of products designed to provide solutions for every problem. While one-component synthetic turf adhesives are easier to use, they are not always the best option as they cure/set much slower when the air is cold or dry. In contrast, MAPEI’s two-component synthetic turf adhesives use a catalyst system to ensure that they cure quickly and predictably even in harsh conditions.

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I have a pitch on my exterior concrete slab and I need to level it. What product should I use?

You can use Topcem Premix or Mapecem 102 to level your concrete slab. If you have freeze/thaw cycles in your area, substitute the mixing water with Planicrete AC for Topcem Premix, or use Mapecem 202.

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Can I add color to my repair mortar? Can I apply a stain?

Yes, you can add color or apply a stain to your repair mortar. It is important that you do your own mockups to make sure that you obtain the desired results.

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Can I apply a self-leveler on an exterior concrete slab?

No. Self-leveling products are recommended for interior applications only. You can apply a concrete repair mortar instead, such as Topcem Premix or Mapecem 102.

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Can I apply a waterproofing product over a painted surface?

No. The surface must be thoroughly cleaned of any substance that could interfere with the bond of the installation material, including dirt, paint, tar, asphalt, wax, oil, grease, latex compounds, form-release agents, laitance, loose toppings, foreign substances and any other residues.

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How long does an adhesive trowel typically last?

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 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.

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What is the proper way to hold a trowel?

For most trowels used for floor-covering installations, the correct angle to hold the trowel is 45 degrees to the floor. There is a reason for this angle. First, the angle creates a bit of a hydraulic pumping action by compressing the liquid adhesive and forcing it through the notches. If you were to hold the trowel at a 90-degree angle to the subfloor, you wouldn’t get the compressing action and would just cut through the adhesive on the floor. Without the compression from the 45-degree angle placement, the adhesive may actually skip through the trowel notches and leave you with an undesirable result.

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Why should I be concerned about moisture content in a concrete slab?

Because you will be directly touching it with an adhesive and flooring material, both of which may not function properly when in contact with a damp substrate. For example, if your goal was to install a solid vinyl sheet flooring over a damp concrete slab using a wet-lay, water-based adhesive, once you covered the adhesive with the sheet vinyl there would be nowhere for the moisture in the adhesive to absorb into; the existing moisture would remain in its liquid state and the installation would be a mess. Another example would be to install prefinished solid wood flooring using a urethane adhesive over a damp concrete slab. The urethane adhesive would cure nicely because it cures by coming into contact with moisture, but the wood flooring would absorb moisture coming from the slab and cup, warp, curl or swell – causing a nightmare of a problem. The bottom line is that there's a reason for the moisture-limits statements of adhesives and flooring materials. As such, the installer should calculate the appropriate measurements for moisture to determine if he can proceed or if he needs to do something more to isolate that moisture from the flooring installation. Learn more here:

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