A Complete Guide to Transportation and Installation of PVC Flooring in Winter
Winter temperatures drop sharply, causing PVC materials to harden and become brittle, and significantly slowing down the curing speed of adhesives. If temperature, humidity, and material storage are not properly controlled, quality problems such as blistering, warping, and cracking can easily occur. Therefore, advance planning and scientific management are crucial to ensuring the smooth delivery of projects.
Key Points of Transportation and Loading/Unloading
Precautions
1. For loading, in winter, the material's hardness increases, and impacts can cause cracks at the edges and corners. it is recommended to use pallets to avoid rough stacking and impacts, as materials are more brittle, especially at low temperatures.
2. Transportation: Preventing internal stress caused by temperature fluctuations
Laying moisture-proof mats inside the carriage to prevent materials from becoming brittle due to sudden temperature drops.
3. Unloading: Handle with care, keeping the rolls upright.
Avoid horizontal stacking as this can cause indentations.
Standing upright helps the material spring back naturally, reducing the risk of deformation.
4. On-site storage
must be done indoors in a dry, well-ventilated environment, maintaining a temperature above 15°C, and allowing the material to acclimatize to the ambient temperature for at least 24 hours before unwinding. This allows the PVC to regain its elasticity and prevents wrinkles or cracks from forming during unwinding.
Double Protection for On-site
Temperature and Humidity
1. Ambient Temperature: The on-site temperature should be maintained at ≥15℃, ideally 18℃–22℃. If the air temperature is below 10℃, it is recommended to use an industrial heater, air conditioner, or radiator to raise the temperature, ensuring it is above 18℃ before installation.
2. Relative Humidity: The on-site humidity should be controlled between 40% and 70%. Too dry a humidity level will cause the self-leveling layer to become falsely dry, while too wet a humidity level will affect the adhesive viscosity.
3. Substrate Temperature and Moisture Content: The substrate temperature must be ≥15℃, and the moisture content should be below 4.5% (some specifications require ≤3%).
Temperature Raising Techniques: Preheat the floor with a heater for 30 minutes, or turn on the heating the day before construction to raise the indoor temperature to the standard range.
Special Care for Excipients at Low Temperatures
Adhesives: Adhesive viscosity increases and curing speed decreases at low temperatures, leading to reduced bond strength. Allow the adhesive to dry at room temperature (≥18℃) beforehand, use antifreeze adhesives, and extend the pressure roller time.
Interface agent: It is difficult to form a film below 5℃. Ensure the site temperature is ≥10℃. If necessary, heat to 15℃ before application.
Self-leveling compound is prone to freezing at low temperatures, resulting in insufficient strength. Construction should be carried out at temperatures ≥10℃. If the temperature is below 5℃, construction should be suspended or a heating pad should be used for insulation.
Temperature Control Points in Construction Process
1. Material Preheating: Place the roll material vertically in an environment ≥18℃ for 24 hours to allow the internal temperature of the material to even out before unrolling.
2. Substrate Treatment: Check the moisture content of the substrate to ensure it is below 4.5%; if it does not meet the standard, it needs to be dried or the substrate replaced.
3. Laying: First lay the material at the junction of the wall and the ground, then move towards the center; after laying approximately 5 meters, use a pressure roller to roll it multiple times to ensure the adhesive is fully compacted before hardening.
4. Joint Treatment: Control the joint width to 1–3mm, and weld or seal the edges after 48 hours to prevent bulging due to temperature differences.
5. Post-Construction Curing: After completion, maintain the site temperature ≥15℃ for at least 12 hours to allow the adhesive to fully cure; avoid open flames and strong winds during this period.
Common Mistakes and Prevention
1. Materials that crack or break easily when unwound at low temperatures. So it must be preheated at ≥18℃ for 24 hours before unwinding.
2. If ordinary glue is insufficient for bonding strength or causes hollow areas, use antifreeze or low-temperature special glue and extend the drying time.
3. Ignoring the substrate moisture content and the false drying of the self-leveling layer, floor warping detection and control of moisture content ≤4.5% are problematic.
4. Open flame heating of the flooring will damage the surface coating and cause discoloration. Open flame heating is strictly prohibited. Use a heater or air conditioner to raise the temperature instead.
5. Large temperature fluctuations during construction can lead to uneven adhesive curing and later cracking. Use temperature control equipment to maintain temperature fluctuations ≤2℃.
Conclusion
Winter is not a "no-go zone" for PVC flooring. As long as the basic principles of maintaining a temperature ≥15℃, moderate humidity, a dry substrate, and preheating the material are followed, and attention is paid to detail control at every step of transportation, storage, and installation, a flat, beautiful, and durable floor can be ensured. Advance planning and scientific management ensure smooth and worry-free winter construction, creating a comfortable and safe indoor space.
Friendly reminder: If the on-site temperature is difficult to meet the requirements, consider phased construction-first treat and preheat the substrate, then proceed with installation after the temperature rises, avoiding potential quality problems caused by rushing construction. We wish you a successful project and a warm and high-quality winter!
