| GENERAL
Q & A |
Can Drytek products be
tinted or colored?
Yes, Drytek 7400 is a durable and attractive
self-leveling cement which can be integrally colored or topically
stained to create a limitless variety of aesthetically pleasing
interior finished floor surfaces. Create custom colors or nuances
allowing you the freedom to accurately reflect what it is you want
to portray. Drytek 7400 is available in white or grey, allowing
designers to take advantage of the full color spectrum. Contact
your Drytek representative to receive samples, literature and on-site
mockups to for your project.
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Does Drytek offer any
self-leveling products that can be used directly over wood without
having to use a reinforcing mesh?
Yes, Drytek 7600 is a fiber-reinforced
self-leveling cement designed for direct application over wood substrates
without the use of reinforcing mesh in most assemblies
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Do I need to be concerned
about mold when using Drytek products?
No, Drytek is based on inorganic raw materials
and will not contribute to or harbor mold or mildew growth.
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Can Drytek cements be
used over cutback and other adhesives?
Yes, Drytek cements can be applied over
cutback and other adhesives, assuming they are well bonded to the
substrate and tensile bond strength meets minimum values as per
Drytek requirements. Adhesives which are water-soluble should be
removed prior to application of Drytek. Drytek representatives are
more than happy to provide cost-free site testing, assessment and
consultation.
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How do I determine whether
an adhesive or cutback is water-soluble?
Determination of water-solubility can normally
be determined by a simple job-site test. Pour a small amount of
water onto the adhesive in question and then rub vigorously with
you finger. If the adhesive begins to dissolve and / or soften,
then it is water-soluble. Generally, water soluble adhesives will
be black in color. They are no longer used on a large scale.
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I am a contractor that
does a lot of tenant fit-out work and I have seen many contaminants
that I have to deal with on concrete substrates. How would I go about
getting my existing substrate conditions tested to see if substrate
is suitable to receive Drytek?
All Drytek sales representatives are thoroughly
trained and equipped with testing tools and devices which allow
them to determine suitability of a particular substrate for application
of Drytek products. Please contact your local sales representative
to assist you.
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The Drytek literature
explains how RH levels of a concrete substrate should be under 95%
prior to application of Drytek products. How do I test the concrete
to determine if it is below 95% Relative Humidity?
Relative Humidity can be determined by
performing an in-situ invasive procedure in accordance with ASTM
standard testing method F2170. Drytek recommends the use of the
Protimeter MMS Plus™ moisture measurement kit. Contact your
Drytek sales representative who will conduct this test at your jobsite
free of charge. This device can also be purchased on-line at www.protimeter.com.
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| I am looking for a wearable
surface for a retail application. What product would you recommend?
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I am looking for a wearable
surface for use in an indoor warehouse. Which Drytek product should
I choose?
Drytek 9200 should be used for normal
wear situations such as stockrooms and storage facilities. Drytek
9400 should be used when higher abrasion resistance is desired.
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Do I have to use a primer
when I use Drytek self-leveling materials?
Drytek Primer should be applied to substrate
in accordance with usage directions with all Drytek self-leveling
products. Drytek Primer is not required when using Drytek trowelable
products 8200 and 8400.
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What is the best method
of applying Drytek Primer?
Drytek primer can be sprayed, rolled or
broom applied. The best results are usually achieved when using
a soft bristle broom and working the primer thoroughly into the
substrate.
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Does Drytek have any self-leveling
products that are fast drying?
Yes, the Drytek 7400,7600, 8200, 8400,
7800 and 9400 are all fast drying. Floor goods can be applied onto
these products as soon as 6 hours after application depending on
jobsite and environmental conditions. Refer to Drytek Product Selector
or individual product information sheets for specific directions.
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Where are the Drytek products
manufactured?
Drytek products are all manufactured in
the United States of America.
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Does Drytek offer any
trowelable materials in their product line?
Drytek 8200 and the Drytek 8400 are designed
for skim coating and patching over virtually any substrates including
concrete, wood, vinyl, VCT, ceramic tile, etc. Both products are
fast-drying, allowing for the rapid installation of finished floor
goods.
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Can you explain the differences
between Drytek 8200 and 8400 trowelable patches?
Drytek 8200 is a fast-drying skim coating
and embossing material. Drytek 8400 is a fast-drying patch for thicker
applications such as filling holes and ramping.
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Does Drytek have any products
that can go over metal?
Several Drytek products can be applied
over metal substrates. Please contact your Drytek representative
for advice on which Drytek product to use on your project.
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Can aggregate be used
with Drytek products?
Yes, p-gravel can be used with all Drytek
products except for Drytek 8200. Under no circumstance may sand
or any other aggregate be used.
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Does Drytek act as or
form a moisture barrier?
No. However, Drytek does create an impenetrable
alkali barrier which protects your adhesives and vinyl floor coverings
from deterioration due to high Ph.
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What is the difference
between moisture of convenience and moisture of intrusion?
Convenience - is the water used to hydrate
the concrete slab, which over time, will evaporate as the concrete
continues to dry. Intrusion- is a source of moisture/water other
than that used for hydration.
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Do you have to wait "28
days" prior to pouring/troweling Drytek on a new concrete slab?
No. Provided the Relative Humidity levels
of the slab are 95% or lower for permeable floor coverings and 85%
or lower for non-permeable floor coverings.
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Can extra water be used
or does extra water help to improve flow, coverage, spreadibility,
etc.
No. Drytek products should never be over
watered for any reason. Excessive water in a mix can cause separation,
delay drying time, etc..
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Is there a difference
between curing and drying?
There is indeed. Curing- is the concrete slab actually reaching it's specified design properties (ex.compressive strength) by means of
hydration. Drying- a decrease or reduction in water primarily due to evaporation.
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SO What is meant by "DRY" EXACTLY?
"Dry" is the point at which Drytek cement is hard and has built a good enough tenacious bond so that a non-permeable
membrane can be adhesively applied over the top of the Drytek cement. We often get the question, "when is it dry?" - the term "dry" is used
throughout the installation portion of the industry as meaning "ready for glued down goods to be applied". Some installers will use a device
to take a moisture reading and say, "hey this material is not dry". To clarify - Drytek does NOT need to be completely free of moisture prior
to applying glued-down goods - however, it does need to have reached the required strength. This is measurable by tensile bond strength
tests or by an actual field tests (which should always be done) by gluing down a test sample of the floor good and testing the bond strength.
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Once a concrete slab has
cured, is it dry too?
No. In fact, a 4 inch thick slab typically
requires approximately 90 to 120 days to achieve a moisture vapor
emission rate (MVER) of 3 lb/1000 SF per 24 h (the resilient flooring
industry standard MVER). - From ASTM F 710-0. However, when a concrete slab is capped with low-alkali Drytek cement products (LAC's), a barrier is created which blocks potential alkali attack upon adhesives used to apply and lock down floor coverings. This barrier is permanent and helps prevent disbonding of floor coverings. So, by applying a layer of Drytek LAC over the top of a moist concrete slab, one is able to rapidly apply floor goods thus realizing tremendous time savings.
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Is there a minimum and/or
maximum slab/air temperature when using Drytek cements?
Yes. The surface temperature of the slab
must be a minimum of 43 degrees Fahrenheit and shall not exceed
70 degrees Fahrenheit. And a minimum air temperature of 50 degrees
Fahrenheit must be maintained.
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What effect if any, does
the Relative Humidity of the slab and air have on cementitious compounds?
Typically low Relative Humidity levels
in both the concrete and the air are favorable for faster more uniform
drying, where as, high Relative Humidity readings will not assist,
and can potentially delay drying.
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Can you apply Drytek over
cutback adhesive?
Yes. All Drytek underlayments can be applied
over cutback adhesive provided the cutback is not water soluble.
If it is not, it must then be wet scraped down to a film.
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Can hydrostatic pressure
exist above grade?
No. Hydrostatic pressure is created due
to a moisture source beneath the slab, and can only occur on or
below grade.
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If it isn't moisture or
hydrostatic pressure then what causes flooring failures above grade?
Alkalinity! Simply put, as the water used
to hydrate the slab evaporates out, it dissolves the salts within
the Portland slab. This now highly alkali water migrates to the
surface and begins to attack and breakdown adhesives, as well as,
many vinyl floor coverings, resulting in floor/glue failure.
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Can Drytek be poured in
several lifts?
Yes Drytek can be applied successfully
in multiple lifts provided the Drytek product is walkable and primed
prior to the next application.
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Does Drytek provide a
fire or sound rating in any of the products.
There is no fire or sound ratings.
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Is Drytek water damage
stable and what does it mean?
Yes, meaning if Drytek is reintroduced
to water it will not swell, buckle or crack. It will remain dimensionally
stable.
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| DRYTEK™
3000 Q & A |
Does the substrate need
to be primed when pumping/pouring Drytek 3000?
Yes. DRYTEK™ Primer should be diluted
with water according to the ratios given in the mixing guide below.
Water amounts should always be carefully measured in order to ensure
proper mixture is achieved. For best results, blending should be
performed by hand with a mixing paddle. [ Learn
more about DRYTEK™ Primer ]
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What is the weight of
the Drytek 3000? (per cubic Foot)?
Drytek 3000 is roughly 30 lbs per cubic
foot after it has cured.
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What substrates can I
go over with the Drytek 3000?
Drytek 3000 can be applied successfully
over practically any structurally sound and solid substrate, but
on organic substrates such as wood you always have to pretreat the
surface with a cover of plastic sheeting.
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Is there a minimum and/or
maximum thickness at which the Drytek 3000 can be applied?
Yes. The minimum thickness is ¾ of an inch,
however, there is no ceiling. (FYI- Maximum ever poured was 8 feet)
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How long does Drytek 3000 take to dry? Does it vary with pour depth?
Drytek 3000 may be walked on (light foot traffic) after 12 hours and may be capped with a DRYTEK Self-Leveling product such as
DRYTEK 7400 after 24 hours. Drytek 3000 is a fast drying product therefore drying times will not vary with pour depth.
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Can the Drytek 3000 be
barrel mixed and pumped?
Yes. However, a special mixer and mixing
paddle are recommended when barrel mixing. (CX60 mixer and the MX
160 mixing blade)
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How long must I mix the
Drytek 3000 when barrel pouring?
For at least 2-3 minutes.
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Is the Drytek 3000 a self-leveling
product?
It flows but not with the same 10-12 inch
slump of the other Drytek self-leveling products. It needs assistance
with either a rake or smoother.
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Can I apply floor goods
directly on top of the 3000?
No. A minimum 1/2" cap must be applied
to the Drytek 3000 prior to the application of floor covering.
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What is the compressive
strength of the Drytek 3000?
It is approximately 500 PSI. However, when capped with a minimum of 3/8" of Drytek 7400 it will achieve a PSI of 6,400.
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| What is the working time
of the Drytek 3000? |
What is the PH of the
Drytek 3000?
The pH of Drytek 3000 in its wet state is 12.5. The pH of the installed Drytek Flowlite system, which includes a base layer of Drytek 3000 and topping layer of a Low-alkali Drytek leveling product such as Drytek 7400, is 11 in its wet state.
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Can Drytek 3000 be used
for exterior applications?
Yes, and is often used outdoors as geofill
material in the ground.
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How long can the Drytek
3000 remain exposed without being reprimed?
About 3 days. We suggest capping the 3000
within 1-2 days. This will eliminate any additional priming and
prevent any hairline cracks from forming in the 3000.
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Are the lightweight aggregate particles going to be in the bag?
Yes. The lightweight particles are treated in a proprietary process
and then added to the cement at the factory and bagged.
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| Can Drytek 7400, 9200,
& 9400 be used as finished floors/wear surfaces over the Drytek 3000?
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| Can Drytek 3000 be used
for renovations as well as new construction? |
| Can Drytek 3000 be applied
below grade, on grade, and above grade? |
| What is the size of the
bag (in lbs)? |
What is the coverage @
1 inch?
The yield at 1" thickness is 18 sq. feet.
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| What type of cement is
it? |
Can it be applied over
moist or wet concrete?
Yes. However, it will not stop or repel
the moisture or alkalinity.
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| Will the Drytek 3000 be
compromised in any way if it is reintroduced to moisture/water?
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Can Drytek 3000 encapsulate
radiant heating?
No, it is heat insulating. Meaning, it
will prevent the loss of heat and will actually radiate the heat
upward toward the living space making the radiant heating system
more effective and efficient. Optimally, you would put the heating
tubes on top of the Drytek 3000, then cap that with either Drytek
7600 or 7800.
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What type of traffic can
be used on the Drytek 3000 after capping it with Drytek 7400, 9200,
& 9400?
All three products will handle commercial
foot traffic at 3/8" (ie. retail stores, museums, offices, etc.)
For more demanding applications such as forklifts, rolling carts,
heavy compressed loads, etc. please contact your local Drytek representative
to assist in customizing a floor assembly for your specific needs.
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| What is the minimum substrate
temperature when pouring Drytek 3000? |
| What is the shelf life
of the Drytek 3000? |
What about storage of
Drytek 3000?
Drytek 3000 must be kept dry and stored
in a dry atmosphere.
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What type of floor prep
is required prior to pouring or pumping this product? (ie. Shotblasting)
Provided the substrate is free of any contaminants
that may contribute to decreased bond (ie. oil, grease, dirt, dust,
etc) the surface bond strength of the substrate must be a minimum
of 72 PSI. Please contact a Drytek representative to have a surface
bond strength test performed for you.
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Are there any Drytek products
that can not be used over the Drytek 3000?
Yes. Drytek 7000, 8200, & 8400 shall not
be used over the Drytek 3000.
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