Advantage System

The Advantage System is designed to make carpet installation easier. It uses no adhesives other than seam sealer for broadloom applications, eliminating adhesive open time.

The Advantage System consists of three components. Substitution of any component voids the Advantage System warranty and may result in failure of the installation.

Advantage System is supplied in rolls of 40” X 150’ (55 1/2 sq. yds.), and has a yellow plastic release liner. Hot melt seaming tape without a silicone paper carrier is required for seaming broadloom carpet seams.

Cove base is recommended with this system to help secure the perimeter edges of the carpet.

CONDITION YOUR SITE AND TEST

When using the Advantage System on new concrete slabs or existing slabs on or below grade, the slab should be tested for moisture and alkalinity prior to beginning installation A proper installation depends on the proper site conditions. The following conditions must be maintained for 24 hours prior to, during and permanently after installation:

• HVAC System: Must be operational maintaining the following conditions.
• Temperature: The installation site, carpet and advantage system must be maintained at a minimum temperature of 65.°F.Do not begin the installation if the subfloor temperature is below 50°F.
• Humidity: The installation site’s maximum ambient relative humidity should not exceed 65%.
• Moisture: Conduct relative humidity testing. Results must be below 85% (ASTM F-2170), or the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride test must not exceed 5.0 lbs per 1000 SF per 24 hours ASTM F-1869 test). Shaw recognizes RH as the qualifying standard.
• pH: Conduct pH testing on the floor in several locations. A reading below 5.0 or above 9.0 (ASTM F- 710) requires corrective measures.

Do not begin the installation if an unacceptable moisture level is detected. Contact Shaw Technical Support for additional recommendations. If excessive moisture is present, the general contractor or building owner must be advised and a decision made if the installation is to begin. Shaw Industries will not be responsible for any moisture related installation failures if these guidelines are not strictly followed.

The floor should be allowed to dry completely prior to the application of the Advantage System.

Fill depressions or cracks with a cementitious patching / leveling compound that meet or exceed Shaw Industries maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable. You may use wax-based (green) sweeping compounds if you sweep and remove them immediately.

The Advantage System may be used over concrete (both conventional and lightweight), VCT, VAT, marble, terrazzo, inlaid or sheet vinyl, as well as wood floorings.

Concrete: Vacuuming or wet mopping should remove any dust or loose particles which could impair adhesion. You may use wax-based (green) sweeping compounds if you sweep and remove them immediately.

Dusting/Powdering of Concrete: Prime the surface with a paint roll application of liquid latex such as Shaw 9050.

Patch, Leveler, and Lightweight Concrete: Prime the surface with a paint roll application of liquid latex such as Shaw 9050. Advantage System will not bond to wet or uncured patching compound and movement may occur during the installation process.

VCT/VAT or Ground Terrazzo: remove waxes / polishes from the surface, followed by rinsing to eliminate any remaining residue.

Vinyl Floor Covering: Must be over a year old and adhered with a full spread application of adhesive (remove waxes / polishes from the surface, followed by rinsing to eliminate any remaining residue).

Finished Wood Flooring (secured), Plywood, or Particle Board: Wood panels are required to be primed with a latex primer such as Shaw 9050.

Always test for compatibility between the Advantage material and floor by cutting and applying a small strip directly to the floor. A strong bond between the Advantage and floor should result. The Advantage System is not recommended for use on steps or stairs.

The first area where the material will be applied to the floor is along the walls which run parallel to the carpet seams. Butt the material up to and along the walls. Unroll the first breadth of material along the wall, trim and repeat this procedure until the entire floor has been covered. Unroll the longest length you can easily handle, cut, then continue to repeat the same procedure throughout the installation.

If the material overlaps the adjacent breadth, do not try to shift the material, simply double cut and peel off the upper layer. Small gaps of less than 1/4” between sheets of material cause no problems. If necessary, the material can be lifted off the floor and will re-adhere as long as it is not contaminated with dust or dirt. Smooth out any ripples or bubbles so that the material is bonded completely before starting the next breadth. A push broom is excellent for this task.

Always butt or double cut the material end seams. Use a roller weighing at least 75 pounds to assure a positive bond between the material and floor.

If an area of the material wrinkles severely during installation, it can easily be corrected by patching. Small wrinkles will not project through to the face of the carpet and correction in those areas is not necessary. Never remove the yellow plastic liner until the carpet is cut and placed into position.

Roll one half of the carpet back and remove the yellow liner from the material up to the seam. It is important that the carpet be cut back approximately 8 to 10 rows on each selvaqe side to ensure the integrity of the carpet at the seams. This can be accomplished by overlapping approximately 2” at each seam before cutting.

After cutting the seams place the hot melt seaming tape under the carpet seam, directly on the Advantage material.

SEAL THE SEAMS

All commercial broadloom products require the use of a latex seam sealer such as Shaw 4000. Seam sealer must be applied to the edges trimmed for seaming, and cover the thickness of both the primary and secondary backing without contaminating the face yarn.

Using a hot melt iron with a maximum setting of 2 ½, melt the thermoplastic on the tape so that it makes contact with the material and the back of the carpet. CAUTION: Do not exceed a setting of 2 ½ on the hot melt iron as excessive heat may damage the carpet backing and produce an unacceptable seam. The carpet can then be tractored along the finished seam to create a positive bond between the carpet backing and the seaming tape. The other half of the carpet should then be folded back following this same procedure.

If problems are encountered when attempting to move the carpet over the material at the seams use a spray bottle with water and lightly mist the material, being careful not to wet the tape. This will allow ease of movement and positioning of the carpet. An initial bond can be formed by firmly applying pressure to the carpet over the material.

Use care in trimming the carpet around walls to avoid compression.

After completion of the installation the entire area should be rolled with a roller weighing at least 75 pounds. The carpet is ready for use after this step, and furnishing can begin immediately.

Potential adhesive residue transfer to the existing substrate / floorcovering may occur in high traffic environments or with the extended use of this product. Contact Shaw Technical Support for residue removal recommendations.