Would a professional carpet fitter use adhesive on top of concrete to place carpet underlay?

04-01-2022 06:49PM #1

Where there's exclusively concrete as floor, an underlay is fitted with carpet on top.

Is it normal to use actual adhesive between the concrete and underside of the underlay, as well as the top side of the underlay and underside of the carpet?

I ask because I understand there can be issues with inhaling adhesive fumes and using adhesive on concrete = no where for it to soak into?

04-01-2022 07:04PM

Just as a brief info documentation:

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0892036296002140

VOC's, volatile organic compounds such as toluene, styrene, carbon disulfide, trichloroethylene and xylene are used in carpet adhesives.

These are lipophylic and bind to neural pathways inducing damage, including auditory damage (cochlear).

Supposedly with high levels of exposure but I've read case reports that after short exposure symptoms have emerged.

Purgative · 04-01-2022 08:43PM

Hi Sugar:

When we took up the carpet here, the underlay was loose, i.e. no adhesive.
when we had vinyl laid in a couple of rooms the fitter was keen to stick it down. We didn't want it stuck - its loose.
talk to the place that's supplying / fitting. If you don't want it stuck down, you're the customer.

04-01-2022 09:01PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118418111#Comment_118418111

If they stuck it already, I'm guessing they're not going to be inclined to return, lift the stuck underlay, scrap off the adhesive and replace it with clean overlay.

Or they're not obliged to do so?

(I'm a dude btw).

Purgative · 05-01-2022 12:14AM

Sorry, I've re-read your OP. If its already down then I can't imagine a DIY fix.

I just shortened your user name for my ease, I wasn't giving any thought to your gender.

05-01-2022 10:28AM

Definitely not DIY but thought this would be the best forum to get some insight on it.

listermint · 05-01-2022 10:32AM

Some will stick it down, some won't. They definitely won't come back to remove it. If you wanted no adhesive after doing some after research then you perhaps should have done research before.

There's a pointed barb in your opening thread implying they may not be professional...

Personally I wouldnt worry you can find any information on the Internet to support any argument. But once you air the room out over a day or so and the glue dries it's not a problem.

05-01-2022 11:24AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118419844#Comment_118419844

The glue dries, even against concrete where it won't soak in?

Professional meaning, hired by a well known carpet fitting company.

The individuals who installed it, it's well fitted just using adhesive would not have been my first choice.

Curious as to whether that's the norm for carpet fitting on concrete.

listermint · 05-01-2022 04:24PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/118420079#Comment_118420079

Yes the clue dries. Are you implying glue doesn't dry on concrete.....

seamus · 05-01-2022 04:42PM

Glues generally cure, they don't dry. Drying in the traditional sense means the loss of and evaporation of water from the material, causing it to become solid. Your concern is that with concrete below and rubber underlay above, it won't dry because there's nowhere for the water to go.

Adhesives vary. In general they cure rather than dry, which is the process whereby they change from a liquid to a solid form. It usually does not involve the loss of any water and may sometimes involve a chemical bonding process with the materials they're applied to. Examples would be superglue or puncture repair glue.

Even in the event that the adhesive used actually dries rather than cures, contrary to popular belief concrete is not waterproof and will absorb water, allowing the material to dry.

Would a professional carpet fitter use adhesive on top of concrete to place carpet underlay?

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