Commercial Carpet Squares

[billyeadon]

If they have a viyl back like most tiles the adhesive had nothing to do with it. Sounds like a defective product. A nylon tile with a vinyl back could sit in water for a week and not curl.

Has nothing to do with your cleaning.

 

[Jack May]

Paul,

someone moved it prematurely to the Gold Mine.

I saw your other thread asking where it had gone and moved it back. I deleted the other thread.

John

 

[harryhides]

Paul, it's highly unlikely that your cleaning has anything to do with this. Get a Carpet Inspector in there to do the appropriate tests to see what is going on.
Moisture on a concrete floor will create very alkaline conditions and this alkalinity will affect most adhesives which would then cause the tiles to come loose.

From the Installation Standard

6.3 Testing of Concrete Subfloors Prior to Adhesive Installations - The owner or general contractor must submit to the flooring contractor a written report on moisture and surface alkalinity of the slab to determine its suitability as a substrate for the material to be installed.

6.3.1 Moisture Testing - Concrete floors, even with adequate curing time, can present an unacceptable moisture condition by allowing excessive amount of moisture vapor to pass through to the surface. This can be a problem even on suspended concrete floors. All concrete floors should be treated for moisture emission rate by utilizing an anhydrous calcium chloride moisture test kit available from installation supplies and accessories distributors.

6.3.2 Alkalinity Testing - A pH range of 5-?9 is satisfactory; however, a reading above 9 requires corrective measures. Consult the adhesive manufacturer for recommended testing and corrective procedures.

From Mohawks Installation guidelines for modular carpet installation-

Moisture & pH Testing
Concrete –Conduct a moisture test. Moisture in the subfloor will interfere with the
curing and performance of the adhesive. Concrete Substrates must be tested for moisture
and pH prior to installation.
1. enpress PSA Calcium Chloride (ASTM F1869) results should not exceed
5 lbs per 1,000 s.ft. per 24 hours, RH (ASTM F2170) tests results should not exceed 80%,
and pH should not exceed 9.
2. enpress HP (Encycle) Calcium Chloride (ASTM F1869) results should not exceed
10 lbs per 1,000 s.ft. per 24 hours, and pH should not exceed 11.
3. enpress HP (Vinyl/PVC) Calcium Chloride (ASTM F1869) results should not exceed
8 lbs per 1,000 s.ft. per 24 hours, and pH should not exceed 10.
4. NuSpraylok Platinum Adhesive Calcium Chloride (ASTM F1869) results should not
exceed 10 lbs per 1,000 s.ft. per 24 hours, RH (ASTM F2170) tests results should not
exceed 92% and ph should not exceed 12. NuSpraylok Standard Adhesive Calcium
Chloride (ASTM F1869) results should not exceed 7 lbs per 1,000 s.ft. per 24 hours, RH
(ASTM F2170) tests results should not exceed 85% and pH should not exceed 11.
5. When floor conditions of moisture or pH exceeds acceptable levels, please contact field
services 800.833.6954 for more information.

Just to reassure yourself, next time you are cleaning there go back a lift a couple of tiles to see if there is any moisture left under the tiles from your cleaning. Even with 4 Pre- Applied Adhesive Systems ("peel and stick") tiles we never found any moisture under the tiles, left by our cleaning.

 

[steve frasier]

from the 2 problems I have seen it was due to improper install but the problems occured within the first month, these were both mohawk bigelow carpet tiles

not enough glue and the glue used was not the recommended product

the remedy was to remove all the tiles and put them through this roller machine to fix the curled edges, the proper glue was spread with a paint type looking roller, reinstall the tiles

they have been fine since after a couple of cleanings

If the tiles are pretty new I would try to find out who made them, taking a pad to a mohawk bigelow carpet tile will void warranty, why get yourself any deeper then you already are

 

[Phoenix Phil]

Often dust and soils filter into the spaces between the carpet squares. These work their way under the carpet and when moistened along with the issues of concrete moisture wicking, etc. can make the edges loose adhesion. (this can also cause a smell when wet as they soils and moisture can cause mold issues.) Unless you clean each square individually and stop at the edge (which of course wouldn't be possible) you will need to stay very very dry and if need be the carpet tiles will need to be re-glued.

Carpet squares are becoming more and more prevalent in commercial installations as in theory they can be replaced when worn or dirty but in reality they want them to perform like wall to wall cgd and the tile just won't.

Best of luck.