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Amtico Adhesives FAQs

  • Which adhesive should I use? Amtico International Adhesives must be used for installing Amtico tiles. Failure to do so will invalidate the guarantee. Amtico HT adhesive is the required adhesive for bonding PVC in all high temperature areas. Amtico International PS and SF adhesives can be used for the majority of installations. Amtico Universal 2-Part Adhesive should be used in areas where excessive surface moisture is expected e.g. shower rooms.
  • What are the adhesive recommendations where underfloor heating or hot water pipes are present? If the area is to be suitable, the surface of the floor must not exceed 27°C (81°F). Remember to switch off the heating for 48 hours before and after installation. Where temperatures may vary considerably, the use of Amtico HT Adhesive is strongly recommended.
  • Can adhesives freeze? Answer: Yes. In common with most other adhesives, products supplied by Amtico International can be affected by freezing temperatures. As a result, they may fail to bond adequately. However Amtico International PS Adhesive is freeze-thaw stable. 
  • Do I need to roll Amtico tiles into the adhesive? Yes, this is very important. A (45kg) 100lb 3-section roller is recommended, and this should be done before the adhesive has set. Ideally, the floor should be rolled 1-2 hours (approx) after installation.
  • Does HT adhesive replace Amtico Universal 2-part adhesive? Amtico HT adhesive is now our preferred recommendation for bonding PVC in all high temperature areas. It should not be considered as suitable for bonding Amtico in wet areas such as shower rooms. In these instances, Universal 2-part adhesive must be used.
  • How do I use Amtico HT adhesive? Always follow the instructions on the tub. Site conditions must conform to the general recommendations contained in the Amtico technical manual and BS8203. A good quality, dry subfloor is essential and, as with any installation in a high temperature area, product acclimatisation and maintenance of a constant temperature whilst the adhesive cures is VERY important.
  • How should I clean up adhesive residues? Always clean away excess adhesive before it is allowed to dry - use a soft cloth moistened with Amtico Adhesive Remover to clean away adhesive residues from tiles and tools.
  • In what container sizes do you supply HT adhesive? HT Adhesive is available in 5 and 15 litres.
  • Is Amtico HT Adhesive environmentally sensitive? Yes – it is water based, low in VOC’s (volatile organic compounds) and classified as non-hazardous. 
  • Is HT adhesive expensive? The price is comparable to SF adhesive and well below that of Universal 2-part adhesive.
  • Should adhesives be conditioned before use? Yes, the adhesive must be kept at a constant temperature between 18°C (64°F) and 27°C (81°F) for 24 hours before use. This is of course also true for the tiles.
  • Do you offer any specific warranties for HT adhesive? Amtico HT adhesive comes with a standard manufacturer warranty, subject to terms and conditions. We do not provide any specific installation warranties, which remain the responsibility of the installer.
  • What are the benefits of Amtico HT adhesive? Unlike most two part adhesives used for hot environments, Amtico HT is a single part adhesive. So no messy mixing. It is also much more user friendly. You only need spread as much as you want at any one time and can then put the lid back on the tub. So not only is it easier to control, it is also more cost effective. It grips the tiles almost as soon as you place them, minimising the risk of them slipping whilst fitting. It also reaches a high bond strength within the first few hours, again helping to avoid movement during fitting and allowing light traffic within 8-10 hours. And most floors can now be completed in a day, again saving labour. HT adhesive can be used for all those small areas where sunlight might cause gapping, but where mixing a full tin of Universal 2-part adhesive seems wasteful e.g. in front of full glass doors, patio doors and French windows. 
  • What are the benefits of Universal 2-part adhesive? Suitable where there is expectation of excessive surface moisture e.g. shower rooms.
  • What is adhesive open time? Open time is the maximum period between spreading the adhesive and laying the floor tiles. For example, if the open time is quoted as 60 minutes, then the adhesive, once it has been spread onto the sub-floor, must have tiles laid into it within this time period.  As a guideline, Amtico Universal 2-part adhesive has an open time of approx 40-60 minutes. 
  • What is Amtico HT adhesive? What is Amtico HT adhesive? Amtico “HT” or high temperature adhesive is a single part acrylic adhesive for bonding Amtico PVC tiles in hot or high temperature environments e.g. conservatories.
  • What is SF Adhesive? SF Adhesive is a water-based adhesive that is suitable for bonding Amtico tiles in the majority of installations. The only places in which it should not be used are areas of high temperature change, moisture or strong sunlight through glass; see Amtico HT Adhesive and Universal 2-Part for these areas.
  • What is the “open time” for HT adhesive? The “open time” (or period from spreading the adhesive to when the last tile must be laid) is 30 minutes. As soon as you have finished spreading the adhesive you can start laying tiles and the last tile must be fitted a maximum of 30 minutes after the adhesive was spread. Exceeding this time will impair the transfer of the adhesive to the back of the tile and ultimately the bond and performance. This is VERY important.
  • What is the coverage of HT adhesive? 3 - 4 sqm per litre. So a 5 litre container will cover 15 - 20 sqm and a 15 litre container will cover 45 - 60 sqm.
  • What is the shelf life of recommended adhesives? Adhesives supplied by Amtico International have a shelf life of 12 months in unopened containers, when stored under recommended temperatures.
  • What sort of Adhesive should be used for Amtico? Amtico SF adhesive is suitable for bonding onto sound, smooth subfloors of concrete, terrazzo, stone, timber and many other substrates that have been suitably prepared. The use of a surface damp proof membrane may be required to ensure that the subfloor is adequately dry, and must be over laid with an appropriate levelling compound.  There are certain locations where Amtico HT Adhesive must be used especially in areas subject to excessive heat or cold or if adjacent to glass windows exposed to sunlight.  In areas that are subject to excessive moisture, then Universal 2-Part Adhesive should be used.
  • What trowel size do I use for HT adhesive? Amtico International recommends an A2 trowel for all adhesive application. However, a 1.5mm x 5mm is acceptable for use.
  • When using HT adhesive, do I need to roll the tiles? The Amtico tiles should be rolled with a 45kg (100lbs) roller as soon as possible after laying and before the adhesive sets - timing will depend on site conditions but is generally 1-2 hours after spreading the adhesive.
  • Why should I use a special adhesive trowel? It is vital that the correct amount of adhesive is applied. Specific information can be found on the adhesive label.  Spread adhesive evenly using a trowel with notch size 1.5 x 5.0 mm (UK), a Euro A2 or V notch 1/16th" x 1/16th" x 1/16th" (USA).  Do not use worn trowels. Worn trowels should be replaced, as not enough adhesive will be applied. Renotching of trowels is not recommended. 
  • Are Amtico International adhesives environmentally sensitive? All adhesives with the exception of Universal 2 part adhesive are water based, and classified as non-hazardous.  In addition Universal 2-Part and PS adhesive are classified as EC1 (very low in VOC’s).

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