Commercial contractors perform bond tests regularly—or at least they should be! But what about residential contractors? Performing a mat bond test prior to the installation of resilient floor covering is a great way to ensure that you are using the correct adhesive with the correct product and that both will adhere to each other and to the subfloor. Performing a mat bond test helps identify the appropriate open and working time for the site conditions and any potential issues prior to installation.
In many cases, residential resilient installations require more preparation ahead of time. How often do you have to remove existing materials prior to installation? Is the subfloor contaminated with old paint or glue? How often is the subfloor you are working with flat and level? How often do you discover that you are installing over a subfloor that can’t accommodate glue-down flooring? Do you need to perform a moisture test? Moisture is a common issue under resilient installations and can prevent the adhesive from bonding properly. All of this should be considered before completing a mat bond test.