All substrates must be structurally sound, clean, and suitably prepared prior to application. The concrete substrate shall have a minimum compressive strength of 25 – 30 MPa and a minimum pull-off tensile bond strength of 1.5 MPa. The surface must be free from laitance, weak or friable layers, and any surface defects that may compromise the integrity of the flooring system. Mechanical surface preparation by shot blasting, captive blasting, or diamond grinding is required to achieve a clean, open-textured surface profile suitable for bonding. Acid etching is not permitted. The prepared surface should provide a uniform mechanical key to ensure proper adhesion.
Vetotop UL181 may be applied to green or damp concrete provided there is no standing water and a functioning damp proof membrane (DPM) from the Vetotop product range is incorporated within the structure where required. The substrate may be in a surface dry or saturated surface dry (SSD) condition, but free water must not be present at the time of application. Where excessive moisture is detected or no effective DPM exists, appropriate remedial measures must be implemented prior to installation.
All construction joints, expansion joints, and cracks must be properly assessed and treated before application. Static cracks shall be repaired using suitable epoxy repair mortar from the Vetorep product range. Dynamic cracks must be treated as movement joints and appropriately detailed. All movement joints in the substrate must be sealed with a suitable elastic joint sealant from the Vetoflex sealant range. Incorrect treatment of cracks and joints may result in reflective cracking and reduced service life. The substrate temperature during application must be between +8°C and +30°C, and at least 3°C above the dew point to prevent condensation. Proper environmental control is essential to avoid bond failure, blistering, or surface defects.
