Concrete finish for VCT prep

[rburke65]

Looking for some advice before I place a concrete floor with the idea covering it with VCT. I assume I would want a smooth, power trowel finish. Also is there a curing compound and or sealer that I can apply, to aid in curing, that I won't have to turn around and remove to install the vinyl floor tile? Any other hints or suggestions? I'm all ears! Thanks.

 

[sickytwisted]

There are several vct adhesives which also block moisture. I hope you put a moisture barrier down anyway. Don't know if that helps.

 

[dcs Inc]

Besides the normal prep to place concrete, graded compacted granular base, vapor barrier, use a 10 mil plastic, a lot of guys use the cheap 6 mil store bought visqueen and this stuff falls apart in a few years, tape all over laps and cut outs in the plastic.

Mix design is important. With the vapor barrier you need to use a water reducer in the concrete mix. This allows a lower slump ratio ( less water) to keep the concrete plastic to be able to move it around. This is very important because the vapor barrier doesn't allow the concrete to shed water from below and will trap moisture in the concrete and will take forever to hydrate.

Personally I like a power trowel finish with float blades. The installer can still get a good finish but not glaze the floor. If will be smooth but not so closed up. As far as a topical coating before applying your mastic, you need to follow the manufactures recommendations. I'm not a tile or vct guy and only install/sell overlays and epoxy coatings but the process is the same. gene ec-Indy

Elite Crete of Indiana
www.elitecreteindiana.com
www.indycrete.com

 

[rwhite692]

I would not put any kind of sealer onto the concrete in preparation for VCT.

 

[cderalow]

VCT adhesives generally require a smooth, porous surface, without a sealer.

 

[e30 Memorial]

How long does concrete need to cure before installing VCT?

 

[Pinhook]

Most VCT manufacturers say 30 days. Armstrong does.

 

[rburke65]

I was looking for a topical curing sealer that, after the concrete has cured, I would not have to turn around and grind it off before I installed the tile. I'm not looking for a sealer "in preparation for" the VCT. I'm looking for a sealer to cure the concrete. I do not want to be required to remove that sealer when I get around to installing the VCT. Apparently, this concept is harder to grasp than I thought. Thanks.

 

[dcs Inc]

Sealer doesn't cure the concret, it slows it down. Normally during hot dry days the concrete hydrates too fast. this time of year I wouldn't worry about it.

 

[dcs Inc]

The 30 day thing is just a number. concrete dries at differing rates depending on surrounding conditions and internal mix design. A vapor barrier under the concrete will slow the drying but normally the installers have a mid or high range water reducer added to the concrete to keep the slump lower and still have the workability at placement.