Burke Flooring Stair Tread Installation - Manual (Page 5)

Page 5
Burke Flooring Products, a Division of Burke Industries
2250 South Tenth Street, San Jose CA 95112
(408) 297-3500
4. Stringer/Skirting Installation
If Skirting/Stringers are required, they must be installed first.
Make a template of cardboard or other suitable material, measuring the height and
depth of each step, and transferring that data to your template. Rough cut the
template, set in place and then trim to form a snug fit to the stairwell. Lay the
template over the Skirting/Stringer and transfer the pattern using an awl. Cut the
Skirting/Stringer material and check the fit. Trim to form a snug fit.
If the wall is porous, use the Cove Base adhesive BR-101. If the wall is non-
porous, use BR-711 and follow the instructions on the label for non-porous
applications.
Install Skirting/Stringers, roll with the hand roller to insure good adhesive contact.
5. Stair Tread/Riser Installation
Adhesives
BR-721, Burke Epoxy is the most commonly used adhesive for our stair Treads.
Pour either unit A or B into the other unit and mix until homogenous, no more and
no less. Insufficient mixing will cause adhesive failures, and over-mixing breaks
down the viscosity of the adhesive and it can become runny. Pot Life is short,
around 30-60 minutes (depending on temperature and humidity, hot and dry is
quicker, and cold and moist is slower).
Once mixed, it is best to get the material out of the can and onto the installation
surface (or another surface to work off of) as soon as possible. The air space in the
can is small and the chemical reaction can happen very quickly, with the can
getting hot to the touch.
It is recommended that you use Mixing Sticks in a folding and stirring fashion
until mixed, to avoid over-mixing. If you use a Mixing Paddle on a drill, keep your
RPM’s low and be careful not to over-mix, just mix enough to bring it together to a
homogenous state, no more. Moisture testing of the substrate is necessary, see
Moisture Testing section above. BR-721 can be used on porous or non-porous
applications.
BR-711, a one-part acrylic adhesive can be used on Stair Treads if there is no
threat of moisture. It can be used on wood or concrete, but the substrate must be
tested for porosity and moisture. The label on the can thoroughly explains the
simple porosity test (a couple of drops of water is all that’s required, and