CustomTech Flooring Prep
CustomTech – the industry’s leading collection of technologically-superior, easy-to-use, professional grade subfloor preparation products designed for all types of floor coverings.
Surface Prep
Quality begins from the ground up. Preparing your surface is the most critical task of any tile or stone installation. Custom Building Products offers you one source for the needs of virtually any job.
Setting
The foundation of precise tile and stone setting. Whatever the application, CUSTOM® offers the broadest line of tile and stone setting materials in the industry to give the exact performance your job demands.
Grout
Tile grout with dependable performance and color. Look for tile grout with rock-solid durability, consistency and the largest color palette with Custom. Our grouts are easy to work with yet deliver hard, dense joints.
Care & Maintenance
Stains can RUIN Stone & Tile.Protect Yours Now! Stains on stone, tile or grout happen easily - and can leave permanent stains. Protect your surface against both oil-based and water-based stains with the right sealer.
Aqua Mix®
Professional Solutions for Professional Results Offering the largest selection of Sealers, Cleaners, Problem Solvers, Grout Colorant and Stone Restoration products, we provide professionals with the right tools and solutions; making us the #1 Contractor Preferred Manufacturer of Sealers and Cleaners.
Profiles & Transitions
Discover a better choice in high-quality profiles and transitions. Create stunning designs in tile and stone without unsightly edges. A complete line of high performing, aesthetically pleasing edge-protection profiles. Available in the most popular designs and styles, they integrate with most field tile to increase design flexibility and minimize safety risks.
Tools & Accessories
Precision demands the best. SuperiorBilt® Tools are professionally preferred for tile, stone and floor covering installations.
Products : Setting : Chemical Resistant Epoxy Mortars : EBM-Lite™ Premium Epoxy Bonding Mortar — 100% Solids
A three-component, water-cleanable 100% solids epoxy mortar system for installations where exceptional high-strength and chemical and impact resistance is required. The unique formula produces a mortar with greater bond and compressive strengths and improved chemical resistance over conventional cement or emulsion-based setting systems. EBM-Lite's™ unique and technologically advanced formulation provides non-sag and non-slip features that allows the mortar to hold tile in place. The non-slump capabilities are especially useful for supporting larger format tile or stone in floor installations. Formulated with CustomLite® Technology, it's 30% lighter than other epoxy mortars. This technology allows the handling characteristics of a cement-based mortar but retains the superior performance of an epoxy. It is the first 100% solids epoxy mortar with recycled materials contributing to LEED®. Exceeds ANSI A118.3 standards.
Features/Benefits
Documents
Technical/Installation
Detailed installation procedures and use of epoxy mortars may be found in the TCNA Handbook under F-113, F-114, F-115, F-116, F-125, F-128, F-143, F-131, F-132, F-134, F-135, F-200, F-205, TR-711 and TR-712. Conforms to requirements for chemical-resistant, water cleanable tile setting epoxy found in ANSI A108.6 and ANSI A118.3.
Installation must comply with the requirements of all applicable local, state and federal code jurisdictions.
Epoxy resin and hardeners blended with inorganic fillers
Custom® Building Products is committed to environmental responsibility in both products produced and in manufacturing practices. Use of this product can contribute towards LEED® v3 certification:
USE CHEMICAL-RESISTANT GLOVES, such as nitrile, when handling product.
Surfaces must be structurally sound, clean, dry and free from grease, oil, dirt, curing compounds, sealers, adhesives or any other contaminant that would prevent a good bond. Glossy or painted surfaces must be sanded, stripped and cleaned of waxes, dirt or any contaminants. Concrete must be cured 28 days and accept water penetration. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a broomed or brushed finish to enhance the bond. Plywood flooring including those under resilient flooring must be structurally sound and meet all ANSI and deflection requirements. For questions about proper subfloor installation, call Technical Services. Sheet vinyl must be well-bonded and stripped of old finish. Roughen the surface by sanding or scarifying, rinse and allow to dry. Expansion joints should never be bridged with setting material. Do not sand flooring materials containing asbestos. Ambient temperature, surfaces and materials should be maintained at a temperature above 50° F (10° C) or below 100° F (38° C) for 72 hours.
Movement joints are required for perimeters and other changes of plane in all installations. Expansion joints and cold joints, as described in ANSI A108.01, should never be bridged with setting material. They must be brought through the tile work and filled with an appropriate elastomeric sealant, such as Custom's® 100% Silicone. Contact Custom's® Technical Services for the proper treatment of control or saw cut joints. Refer to TCNA EJ171, F125 and F125A.
WARNING: Powder contains free silica. DO NOT breathe dust. Dust can irritate eyes and may cause delayed lung injury (Silicosis). Wear a dust mask and rubber gloves when handling. Provide adequate ventilation. Keep containers closed tight when not in use. Handle carefully to keep dust to a minimum. In case of spillage, sweep up and discard. After using, wash hands thoroughly with soap and clean water before eating, drinking or smoking. If affected by inhaling large amounts of dust, remove victim to fresh air. If eyes are irritated, flush with clean water. CORROSIVE. KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN. DO NOT TAKE INTERNALLY.
Concrete or plaster must be fully cured and must accept water penetration. Test by sprinkling water on various areas of the substrate. If water penetrates, then a good bond can be achieved; if water beads, surface contaminants are present, and loss of adhesion may occur. Contaminants should be mechanically removed before installation. Concrete must be free of efflorescence and not subject to hydrostatic pressure. Concrete slabs should have a broomed or brushed finish to enhance the bond. Smooth concrete slabs must be mechanically abraded to ensure a good bond.
Plywood floors, including those under resilient flooring, must be structurally sound and must meet all ANSI A108.01 Part 3.4 requirements.
Maximum allowable deflection: L/360 tile L/720 stone. See TCNA F150-14 Tile Installations, TCNA F141-14 and F250-14 for Stone. For questions about proper subfloor installation requirements, contact CUSTOM technical services.
Tile backerboards such as WonderBoard® Lite are a superior alternative to using a second layer of plywood as a final substrate for tile installation. EasyMat® is an underlayment that can be used in the same regard. Each provide unique benefits to tile installation but all can be installed over plywood to ensure that maximum bond strengths and performance are achieved. Refer to respective data sheet for installation information.
Resilient flooring or plastic laminates must be well-bonded, as well as clean and free of all contaminates. Roughen the surface by sanding or scarifying; rinse and allow to dry. Do not sand flooring that contains asbestos. For existing well-bonded ceramic tile, mechanically abrade the surface. Rinse and allow to dry. When sanding, an approved respirator should be used.
Adhesive layers must be removed, as they reduce mortar bond strength to cement surfaces. Use extreme caution; adhesives may contain asbestos fibers. Do not sand or grind adhesive residue, as harmful dust may result. Never use adhesive removers or solvents, as they soften the adhesive and may cause it to penetrate into the concrete. Adhesive residue must be wet-scraped to the finished surface of the concrete, leaving only the transparent staining from the glue. To determine desirable results, do a test bond area before starting. Refer to the RFCI Pamphlet, "Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings", for further information.
Empty entire contents of Part A and Part B into clean mixing container and mix thoroughly. Gradually add Part C powder into premixed liquids. Mix by hand or with a low-speed mechanical mixer less than 300 RPM. Mix for 2-3 minutes or until a smooth trowelable consistency is obtained. Do not overmix or entrap air into mixture. This will shorten pot life and weaken the product.
INSTALLATION TO CONFORM TO ANSI A108.4 and A108.6. Use a properly-size notch trowel to ensure proper coverage under tiles. Using flat side of trowel, apply skim coat of mortar to the surface. Apply additional mortar with notched side of trowel held at a 45° angle to the surface, combing in one direction. Press tile firmly into place in a perpendicular motion across ridges, moving back and forth. Perpendicular pressing flattens ridges and closes valleys allowing maximum coverage. Adjust tile promptly and beat in with a beating block and rubber mallet. Thickness should not exceed 3/4" (6 mm) after tiles have been beaten in. Periodically pull up a tile and check the back to ensure complete coverage with the adhesive. Do not trowel out more epoxy than can be covered in 10 minutes. Thicknesses greater than 1/4" (6 mm) will generate excessive heat and shorten working time. Do not attempt to work more than one unit at a time. Larger units may require a two or three person crew to spread or clean. If epoxy loses tack, remove and replace with fresh epoxy. If epoxy mortar gets on the face of the tile, clean with warm water and sponge before it sets.
Ambient and surface temperatures as well as temperature of the material will affect the cure time of the epoxy. Allow to cure a minimum of 16 hours at temperatures above 70°F (21°C) and 72 hours at temperatures between 60°F and 70°F (16°C and 21°C) before grouting. Generally, light foot traffic can be allowed in 16 hours, normal foot traffic in 24 hours and heavy foot traffic in 72 hours.
Epoxy must be cleaned from tools with water quickly after application. Do not allow epoxy to cure on surface of tile.
Keep from freezing.
Properly installed product requires no special maintenance.
Properly installed tile will last for more than 60 years.
Ordering Information
Part A 68 fl. oz. (2 L) bottle
Part B 32 fl. oz. (.9 L) bottle
Part C 14.4 lb (6.5 kg) bag
Warranty Information
Obtain the applicable LIMITED PRODUCT WARRANTY at www.custombuildingproducts.com/product-warranty or send a written request to Custom Building Products, Inc., Five Concourse Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30328, USA. Manufactured under the authority of Custom Building Products, Inc. © 2017 Quikrete International, Inc.
When EBM-Lite™ Epoxy Bonding Mortar is used as a part of a qualifying full installation system of CUSTOM products, the installation can qualify for up to a lifetime system warranty. CUSTOM will repair and/or replace, at its discretion, the affected area of the system. For more information, find details and limitations to this warranty at custombuildingproducts.com.
SQUARE FOOT COVERAGE PER 1.9 GALLON UNIT (SQUARE METER PER 7.2 L UNIT)
Recommended minimum coverage (80% for dry areas and 95% for wet areas and exteriors). Back buttering may be necessary.
Note that mortar coverage does not include backbuttering tiles. When backbuttering, consider the tile underside pattern and depth to estimate thickness and usage to add to your estimate.
Chart for estimating purposes. Coverage may vary based on installation practices and jobsite conditions. For more sizes, use the material calculator at CustomBuildingProducts.com or contact CUSTOM Technical Services at 800-282-8786.
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