Case Studies

Finding the Clue to the Leaking Glue

Light Industrial Facility, Southern California

Setting: A well-maintained building in a light industrial park on flat land approximately 200 feet above sea level. The flooring consists of 12" x 12" x 1/8" vinyl composition tiles installed with a black asphalt mastic over concrete slab.

Problem: Glue, glue, and more glue. It's coming up through the tile joints, and the client can't figure out why. Although he has cleaned the floor several times, the glue continues to return.

Testing & Findings: IFTI performed a series of moisture and alkalinity tests throughout the affected areas. The results showed: 1) a relatively high static moisture condition; a relatively moderate dynamic moisture condition; and 2) a relatively high alkalinity condition in the flooring.

IFTI's testing and close physical inspection helped IFTI determine that the concrete substrate moisture vapor emission and associated alkalinity has exceeded the tolerance of the tile and adhesives. This has caused the glue to re-emulsify and bleed out through the tile joints.

Solution: IFTI saw two alternatives. First, a costly procedure which includes removing the tile and adhesive, shot-blasting the existing concrete, repairing cracks and joints, treating the concrete to bring it into compliance, and installing new flooring.

Given the specific circumstances, IFTI recommended the client first try to save the existing flooring by implementing a state-of-the-art maintenance program IFTI specified. This worked and saved the client a tremendous amount of time and money.

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