FLOORING: Engineered Floor on Slab??? Moisture Barrier and Glue?

9 years ago

last modified: 9 years ago

My wife and I purchased engineered floors for our home, which is on a concrete slab. They were initially installed floating with a 3mm underlayment. Unfortunately, the slab was not leveled properly, which led to a number of dead spots and possibly buckling. So, the floors are being redone and the slab is being properly leveled and this time the floors will be glued. My questions are... I am concerned with moisture as the home has previously had moisture and mold issues. What is the best glue to provide a solid moisture barrier between the slab and the wood and/or do I still need an additional underlayment between the slab and wood in addition the glue (my contractor says no)? Thank you.

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Comments (4)

Brian
9 years ago
Here is an article to read: http://tenoaksflooring.com/publications/Glue%20Installation%20Instructions.pdf

The suggestion is you may glue directly to concrete subfloor with just Wakol MS 260 Adhesive if the VOC moisture is zero. If you have moisture it is recommended to use Wakol PU 280 Moisture Barrier first and then glue down with MS 260 Adhessive.

Video of applying Moisture Barrier:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=978TsRewzpE

Video of gluing floors to concrete slab:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEWgfDBuqEQ
Brian
9 years ago
Picture of moisture control and adhesive
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PRO
Cinar Interiors, Inc.
8 years ago
I use Mapei 995 urethane glue under all my engineered glue down on concrete slabs. No need for additional moisture barriers with this glue.
PRO
User
8 years ago
The only way to know if you need an additional moisture barrier treatment as well as a polyurethane glue is to take actual moisture readings. Anyone who does not do this should not be installing floors. And know the history of the area. Even dry readings can be wet in some conditions. Especially if the grading and soils in the area contribute to a pond effect.

In many cases, a plain polyurethane glue is more than sufficient. In some cases, it is not. You cannot develop a one size fits all approach.