HOW TO SOLVE THE BIGGEST FLOOR COMPATABILITY PROBLEM: PLASTICISER MIGRATION

Floor compatibility problems can be costly and time-consuming to rectify, often involving expensive replacement and reinstallation. Today, let’s explore how to tackle one of the most significant floor compatibility challenges you might face during your next flooring installation: plasticiser migration.

What Causes Plasticiser Migration?

Plasticiser migration is a common cause of floor compatibility problems. Plasticisers are chemical compounds added to flooring tiles to make them flexible; without these, the tiles would be brittle and inflexible. Plasticiser migration occurs when the PVC in certain flooring tiles or backings reacts with adhesive residues from previous installations.

This migration can lead to flooring tiles discolouring, softening, or—worst of all—sliding around. The adhesives dissolve into a sticky mess, failing to hold the tiles in place.

Solution 1: Priming and Sealing

One approach to addressing floor compatibility issues is to prime and seal the subfloor before installing new flooring. This involves applying a non-reactive sealant to the subfloor, which prevents leftover adhesive residues from reacting with the PVC-based backing on the new flooring.

While effective, this method introduces additional steps to the installation process:

• Drying Time: Sealants need time to dry, which extends the overall installation timeline.
• Increased Costs: Sealants add to both material and labour costs.
• Air Quality Concerns: Some sealants release volatile organic compounds (VOCs), which can negatively impact indoor air quality. Adequate ventilation is required before the space can be used, causing further downtime.

Solution 2: Choosing Flooring with a Non-Reactive Backing

A more efficient solution is to select flooring with a non-reactive backing. Some cushion backings, such as open-cell cushion backings, are free from PVC and plasticisers. Without plasticisers, the risk of migration is eliminated.

Opting for non-reactive backings can streamline the installation process by:

• Reducing the need to remove all traces of old adhesive.
• Eliminating the need to prime and seal the subfloor.
• Minimising drying times.

When combined with an installation method (like TractionBack®) that does not require a full spread of adhesive, installation becomes even faster and more cost-effective. Labour costs are reduced, as there’s no need to apply wet adhesives and wait for them to dry. Equipment costs also decrease since there’s no need to purchase adhesives or sealants.

Bonus Benefit: TractionBack leaves no adhesive residues, preventing compatibility problems during future flooring installations.

Ensure You’re Covered

Finally, don’t overlook your flooring warranty. Some warranties stipulate specific pre-installation procedures as a condition for validity. Always enquire about essential preparation work when choosing your carpet tiles.

Warranty terms vary between manufacturers, so it’s crucial to understand what’s covered and the steps required to ensure your eligibility.

Take the Next Step

Avoid the most common flooring issues by choosing long-lasting carpet tiles. Download our complete guide to specifying carpet tiles to learn more.