Flooring Products

Application Guidelines

Subfloor Preparation:

All substrates must be clean, dry, structurally sound, properly cured and free of dirt, oil, paint, old adhesive, wax, sealers and curing agents. General scouring with 20 grit or #3 1/2 open-coat sandpaper will remove most compounds. All loose materials must be vacuumed from the surface after scouring. For installation of wood flooring products (engineered, solids, bamboo and laminate and resilient floors), the subfloor must be flat to a tolerance of 3/16” in a 10’ radius. Hollow spots, popping spots and squeaks are related to unevenness in the subfloor. This product is for concrete subfloors only. Grinding of concrete floors is preferred over the use of filling compounds. If filling/flattening compounds are used, they must be Portland-based cementitious material and have a compressive strength equal to or greater than 3000 psi when cured. When using cementitious materials, they must be rated for the moisture content in the concrete slab. Always use the highest rated materials for moisture because the moisture levels will change. Consult the cementitious manufacturer’s application directions. Titebond 531 Plus should be used on top of any filling/flattening materials after they are fully cured. Use of Titebond 531 PLUS over light weight concrete and all gypsum-based materials requires the use of an approved concrete primer prior to application of 531 PLUS. Remove all existing base, shoe molding and door thresholds prior to continuing the installation.

For the installation of resilient flooring products (vinyl, VCT, LVT, etc.), apply Titebond 531 PLUS. After it has cured, apply a ¼ inch thick layer of Portland-based cementitious material (with a compressive strength equal to or greater than 3000 psi when cured) to create a porous substrate. Follow cementitious materials manufacturer’s recommendations for application of 531 PLUS.

Titebond 531 PLUS may be used on above-grade applications and on all substrates listed in this specification guide.

Mixing Directions:

DO NOT THIN. DO NOT HAND MIX. Begin mixing both components in the Part A pail using a power mixer (e.g. 1/2" drill and paint or plaster paddle). Mix thoroughly for three minutes. Once Titebond 531 PLUS is completely mixed, the working time is 30 minutes. The portions are pre-measured to assure optimal performance. DO NOT MODIFY OR ESTIMATE.

Application Directions:

Apply Titebond 531 PLUS directly to a clean and dry surface at a rate of 5 mils wet film thickness (320 sq. ft. per mixed gallon unit. Apply with a 3/8" nap roller immediately after mixing. Pour a "wet-line" approximately 3" wide the length of the room and spread with a roller. The product may be used from a pan also. Avoid excessive pressure on the roller so that an adequate amount of material will be spread. Excessive pressure will thin the material application. For best results, divide the area into 4 sections and use 1/4 of the mixed product in each section. Do not extend the coverage as this will result in a voided warranty. Working time is 30 minutes once completely mixed.

Application Conditions:

For best results, do not apply Titebond 531 PLUS when the temperature is below 65°F. Temperatures below 65°F and high humidity conditions may lead to increased curing time.

Curing Time:

Flooring may be installed over the Titebond 531 PLUS after the product is tack free or about 1.5 to 2 hours at 70°F. Lower temperatures and high humidity conditions may increase curing time. For questions, call Franklin Technical Service at 1.800.347.4583.

Cleanup:

Fresh coatings and tools can be cleaned with mineral spirits. Follow solvent manufacturer's directions when working with solvents and other flammable materials. Cured material is extremely difficult to remove.

Limitations:

Moisture Content Limitations
There are no moisture content limitations or requirements for slab testing prior to installation for wood flooring installations when all terms of the warranty have been met. The moisture content limit for resilient installations is 12 lbs./1000 sq. ft./24 hours per a Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM F1869) or 85% relative humidity (RH) when tested with an in situ probe (ASTM F2170). Do not use Titebond 531 PLUS on concrete subfloors that exceed the 12 lb. (85% RH) limit for resilient installations. The concrete subfloor must be 30 days old. Refer to warranty at www.Titebond.com for complete details. PROTECT FROM FREEZING / NOT FREEZE THAW STABLE.

Required Adhesives

• Do not use in conjunction with Titebond 991. For moisture mitigation using Titebond 991, Titebond 531 must be used.
• For engineered wood flooring, use Titebond 811 Advantage, Titebond 821 Premium or Titebond 771-Step
• For bamboo and solid wood flooring, use Titebond 821 Premium or Titebond 771-Step
• For resilient flooring, use resilient manufacturer’s recommended adhesives or Titebond equivalent

WARRANTY INFORMATION
Required Coverage Rate: 5 mils wet film thickness (320 sq. ft. per mixed gallon unit).
Statement of Warranty: Franklin International (Franklin) warrants to its immediate commercial purchaser for resale (Purchaser) that, for a period of 10 Years for residential applications, or for 5 Years from the date of installation for commercial applications, engineered wood flooring products covered by a valid subfloor moisture warranty, solids up to 5/8” thick, 5” wide and 4 feet in length, and bamboo products that are installed with recommended adhesives on a concrete subfloor that has been treated with the Titebond 531 PLUS Moisture Control System (the Product), will be free of the following moisture related problems due to moisture from the concrete subfloor: cupping, buckling, surface discoloration and release from the subfloor. In addition, Franklin warrants that mold and mildew will not grow on the Product itself for a period of five years after installation. For resilient installations, Franklin warrants that Titebond 531 PLUS, when properly used and applied with recommended adhesives for resilient applications, will reduce the transmission rate of moisture from concrete subfloors treated with the product to 3 lbs. or less per a calcium chloride moisture test, or relative humidity (RH) of 75% or less when tested with an in situ probe, provided that the concrete subfloor moisture content does not exceed 12 lbs. per a calcium chloride test or RH of 85% or less when tested with an in situ probe at any time. In order to obtain the warranty, the Franklin installation instructions must be followed. Resilient warranty is limited to residential applications and light commercial applications. All slabs must be below 12 lbs. per a calcium chloride test or RH of 85% or less when tested with an in situ probe. Anything above 12lbs. at any time will void the warranty.
Obtaining Warranty Performance If Purchaser believes that the above warranty has been breached, Purchaser must promptly notify Franklin International at 2020 Bruck Street, Columbus, Ohio 43207 Attn: Construction Products Technical Service Department. Telephone: 1-800-347- 4583. Purchaser must provide its name, address, telephone number, address of the installed Product, identification of the specific Product used, evidence of date of purchase of Product, name and address of installer of Product, results of calcium chloride moisture test performed at time of installation of Product and a statement of its complaint regarding the Product. At Franklin’s request Purchaser shall obtain access to the premises where the Product was installed to enable Franklin or its agents to inspect the installation or shall make reasonable amounts of the affected flooring and/or Product available for Franklin’s inspection. Verification of existing subfloor moisture conditions at the affected site by way of a calcium chloride moisture test may also be required by Franklin. In the event Franklin determines that the above warranty regarding moisture related problems has been breached, upon Franklin’s request, Purchaser will obtain and furnish to Franklin two written estimates from reputable flooring installers regarding the cost of repairs. Franklin will approve one estimate and authorize Purchaser to proceed with repairs by the approved installer. Franklin reserves the right to refuse any estimate and to identify acceptable installers. It is a condition of obtaining warranty performance that repairs be approved in writing by Franklin prior to the time they are made. Franklin will reimburse Purchaser for costs Purchaser actually incurs for labor and materials necessary to repair or replace one time the affected area(s) of the installed wood flooring by the approved installer. In the event Franklin determines that the above warranty regarding mold and mildew resistance of the Product itself has been breached, Franklin will, at its option, replace the affected Product or refund the price paid by Purchaser for the affected Product.
Exclusions from Coverage The above warranty does not apply if: (1) all instructions regarding preparation for, installation and use of flooring products, flooring Adhesives, and Product are not strictly followed; (2) the Product is used for below grade installations; (3) proper job site pre-inspection, installation and maintenance procedures are not followed; (4) the concrete subfloor is not structurally sound; clean; flat; free of debris, parting agents, sealers and any material that may interfere with the product bonding; (5) the concrete subfloor is not free of visible moisture including darkening of concrete, standing water and condensation, and/or moisture content of concrete subfloor is or becomes greater than 12 lbs. per a calcium chloride moisture test or RH of 85% or less when tested with an in situ probe for resilient installations only; (6) the property of the installation does not have proper drainage; (7) moisture related problems are related to flooding, leakage, topical moisture, improper ventilation, improper maintenance or cracks in the subfloor or foundation; or (8) problems arise due to defects in the flooring, or misuse or abuse. Further, the Product is not intended for mold or mildew abatement.
Limitations To the extent permitted by law, the obligations set forth above are Franklin’s sole obligations and Purchaser’s exclusive remedies and, except as set forth above, Franklin makes no other warranties concerning the Product whatsoever. FRANKLIN DISCLAIMS AND EXCLUDES ALL OTHER EXPRESS WARRANTIES AND ALL IMPLIED WARRANTIES INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE CONCERNING THE PRODUCT. Franklin’s obligations shall be Purchaser’s sole and exclusive remedy against Franklin for any liability with respect to the Product whether any claim for recovery is based upon or arises out of theories of contract, negligence, tort (including strict liability) or otherwise and that IN NO EVENT SHALL FRANKLIN BE LIABLE FOR ANY INCIDENTAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES, including, without limitation, loss of income, loss of time, loss of sales, claims asserted by Purchaser’s customers, injury to personal property or injury to any person. This warranty is made only to Purchaser and is not transferable.

Titebond 531 PLUS must be used in conjunction with recommended Titebond Wood Flooring Adhesives for wood flooring installations and with manufacturer’s recommended resilient flooring adhesives or Titebond equivalent for resilient flooring installations.