Burke Flooring Stair Tread Installation - Manual (Page 3)

Page 3
Burke Flooring Products, a Division of Burke Industries
2250 South Tenth Street, San Jose CA 95112
(408) 297-3500
It is recommended to test concrete for good bond. Test one-step or use a 12x12
sample of the material to bond on the steps, let sit for 72 hours and check for bond
strength. If OK, continue with the installation.
Fill all depressions, cracks, etc. with a cement-type latex patching compound, let it
dry thoroughly and sand smooth. All Steel-Troweled, or Power-Troweled, slick
finished concrete steps need to be sanded and roughened up before installing.
Ambient temperature is important during installation. But the slab temperature
should also be between 65 to 75 degrees F for 48 hours before, during, and for 48
hours after installation. Use a surface thermometer. If the temperature is too cold,
it will retard the curing of the adhesive considerably. The colder the surface is, the
slower the adhesive cures. If the temperature is above 75, the adhesive will set-up
rapidly, you will have less working time, and will have to roll very soon. When
these temperature conditions exist outside of the recommended range, it causes
issues with the adhesive's ability to work normally. This in turn causes treads and
steps to be rolled too soon, leaving gaps, or rolled too late so that thickness
differences occur on the floor, because the adhesive cured before it was rolled
down flat onto the substrate.
3. Steel Stairs
The steps should be carefully cleaned by physical means of wire brush, sandblasting,
etc., removing all rust, sealers, coatings, and contaminants. Then the steps should be
coated with an anti-corrosive coating to prevent rust, if rust is a concern in your
environment. Use Burke Flooring’s BR 721 Epoxy adhesive only on this type
staircase.
C. Installation of Stair Treads
1. Conditions
Proper ventilation and adequate lighting should be available. Check steps for
conformance to the recommendations above. All materials (the flooring products,
adhesives, any patching, or leveling compounds, and the sub floor itself) need to be
conditioned to 70 +/- 5 degrees, for 48 hours prior to installation, during
installation, and for 48 hours after installation.