DIY'er whose wife wants bamboo flooring.

Yes, she won.

Been scanning these forums, picking up alot. Great site. I've done carpet, linoleum, ceramic and vinyl tile...this is my first time with any kind of wood (or in this case, grass!) flooring.

Still in planning stage at this point. Intention is to use Bostik MVP over concrete slab, then Bostik BEST, then 5/8" thick T&G bamboo.

My question is this: Once the MVP layer cures (12-16 hours, according to mfgr), just how "tough" is it? How much foot traffic can it handle?

Do I have to banish the wife and kids to a hotel until the whole install is done, or just during the initial MVP curing period?
At the very least, I myself will obviously be walking back and forth over the cured MVP layer...do I need felt socks and a crash diet?

Thanks for any help.

I've been using MVP. I'm putting down as an "insurance" policy for myself...I really don't have a moisture problem.

I'm going room by room and I've been walking all over mine once it's cured, but my understanding is if it still is exposed for over two weeks you need to have someone from Bostik's examine it. If you're familar with RedGaurd for tiling, it cures like that.

IMO, if the house is vacant it would be great. Get everything in spec, pour and go. No problems. But if you're living there, than it's a pain. The stuff stinks and the house stunk for 2 days, a concern esp if you have a pregnant wife to think of like I do. Also, I find it difficult to comb perfectly smooth. When pouring my master bedroom, and combing it, 20 minutes later I noticed little small ridges that built up here and there. Nothing much I could do since you can't walk on it obviously. But it didn't translate into a problem when laying the hardwood.

So, I'm switching over to Stauf 960. It's got a moisture barrier built in, but you'll pay more for it but you won't have to have the wife and kids leave. Since you'll be living there, I say consider the 960.

That's just my opinion, maybe the pro's will have a different opinion.

If you do the true math and include all of the costs, 960 is cheaper.

it is also a better adhesive. Twice the shear bond.

BTW: MVP must be laid over the next day. If you allow it to cure out for an extended period of time, the whole deal is screwed.

MVP and BST is the best warranty combo out there. No vapor limits!

Really? That's good to know! So they warranty the install regardless of substrate MC? I like it!

Gary,
Have you actually read the data sheets? It is a pretty amazing warranty.

In the absence of actual hydrostatic pressure, they don't give a fig what a CaCl test reads. 30 pounds is a-ok.

I should be more clear; when I say I'm in the "planning" stages, I mean I am planning the install. All the material is already in hand, including Bostik MVP and Best.


ronnald,

Thanks for the testimony. Like you, my slab doesn't test out with moisture problems; but, here in So Cal, we can go 9 or 10 months with no rain, then 1 or 2 months of torrential downpour, so the MVP is insurance.

No pregnant wife, and we're prepared to have some fumes in the house for awhile.

I've used vapor barriers under tile before, but only in small areas where even I didn't have to really walk on it.

ChuckCoffer,

The install will be done within 3 or 4 days of the MVP laydown...that is, I am allowing myself up to 4 days to get the planks laid down; thus, my questions regarding whether the MVP layer can withstand the kids walking around on it.

To all:

Any other testimonials as to whether light foot traffic will ruin the MVP layer?

Pay no attention to me. I was thinking of another product.

You have 14 days with MVP before it needs to be covered. I still like to get on it the next day, though.

Chuck, any ideas what happens after 14 days? I have a small spot (about a 4x4' area) where I haven't layed wood on the MVP yet. I'm going to try this weekend so it will probably be about 23 days or so.

I called Bostiks today and they said all should be fine even after 21 days as long as there was no "trauma" to it such as dry wall compound spilled on it or something. I did tell them I was walking on it too.

Seems like there should be no problem with foot traffic.

ronnald,

Thanks for the info on MVP4.

My issue now is an area I found under the carpet in the hall that has asphalt cutback...thankfully, already scraped down to just a residue.

Time to read up on skimcoating with PlaniPatch.