Topflor China Limited

Heat Welding

1. Heat Welding

   

   

   

   

   

   After the flooring is installed, following the appropriate installation guide, wait a minimum of 24 hours for all "wet adhesives" to cure before beginning the heat welding process. If using the StaticFix dry adhesive system, welding can begin immediately after the flooring is installed.
    
2. To prepare the seam for welding, it must be grooved using either a mechanical joint cutter or hand-grooving tool. The depth of the groove shall be controlled at approximately 2/3 of the thickness of the flooring material. The width of the groove after cutting shall be no less than 3mm and no greater than 3.5mm.
    
3. After the groove is confirmed to be free of any debris, pre-heat the welding gun to obtain the correct heat setting of 350°- 400°C (662° - 752°F). It is recommended to practice welding on a piece of scrap flooring material to determine the exact heat setting and speed.
    
4. Cut a length of heat weld rod sufficient to weld the entire length of the seam, plus approximately 6" extra.
    
5. Weld the seam starting at the wall and apply slight pressure to the gun nozzle to force the melting rod into the groove. 
    
6. Properly inserted, the heat weld rod will have a slightly flattened portion on either side. Allow the rod to cool to the touch and begin trimming or "skiving" to remove the excess weld. To help prevent scratching or scuffing of the flooring during skiving, it helps to use a 1 part liquid soap to 10 parts water solution and apply using a clean cloth to the welding rod and to at least 2" (1" each side). 
    
7. Using the trim plate and skiving knife, make the first cut across the weld rod (a Mozart trimming knife with the 0.7mm spacer claw can also be used), and allow the weld rod to fully cool to room temperature.
    
8. Next using only the skiving knife or Mozart (without the spacer claw), finish trimming the remainder of the weld. The finished weld should be smooth and on the same plane as the floor covering.
    
9. Occasionally, there may be excess weld rod left after the final trim and it will be necessary to remove this using a "melting" technique. After heating up a non-sharpened metal putty knife, gently glide the putty knife (held as if scraping) along the seam weld. Excess weld material will collect on the knife and the result will be a smooth and flat seam weld.
    
10. Heat welding should not be used vertically or when welding to sanitary base. If required, these shall be cold welded.