Subfloor moisture issues continue to be the biggest issue we deal with, especially in new construction.
Below, I have put together a list of moisture remediation adhesives and products for the resilient flooring products JJ Haines and Wheeler sells to you.
Hardwood; Concrete Subfloors – For glue down hardwood floors we sell a variety of “All In One Adhesives” that have excellent moisture protection;
DriTac 1001 – is a green, one-component system adhesive, concrete moisture sealer, sound deadening membrane and crack suppressant system all in one 4-gallon pail. DriTac 1001 adhesive is good up to 15-lbs. moisture Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity.
DriTac 7300 SMC – is a sound and moisture control wood flooring adhesive that also bridges cracks that can be up to the industry standard of 1/8″. DriTac SMC is a one-component system for the installation of hardwood flooring when concrete moisture control, or sound control system is required. DriTac SMC is warranted for up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride and up to 85% Relative Humidity. DriTac SMC is VOC compliant and contributes to LEED point credits.
Mapei 995 – A Premium Moisture-Control, Sound-Reduction and Wood-Flooring Adhesive good up to 15-lbs. moisture Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity. Ultrabond ECO 995 also provides sound-reduction properties, making it suitable for use in multi-unit housing project. The formulation of Ultrabond ECO 995 has been developed using rapidly renewable raw materials.
Mapei 985 – a premium single-component, hybrid-polymer-based wood-flooring adhesive that is formulated without water, solvents, phthalate plasticizers and epoxy resins good up to 15-lbs. moisture Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity. Provides all the bond security of a urethane wood-flooring adhesive, but is easier to clean (water) and has a better coverage rate. Also provides excellent sound-reduction properties that are required for multi-unit housing.
Anderson enSURANCE Triple Options- is a one component 100% solids, cross linking, MS polymer-based adhesive Good up to 10-lbs. moisture Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity when using the Anderson Glide-On one step application trowel.
Bostik Ultra Step Single Step – is a one-part, trowel applied, tacking, moisture-cure urethane adhesive, moisture vapor and sound reduction membrane. Bostik’s Ultra-Set SingleStep contains NO WATER, is 0-VOC and contains 1% recycled materials.

Bostik BEST – is a one-part, trowel-applied, tacking moisture-cure urethane adhesive and does NOT contain water. may be used for concrete slabs as an adhesive and vapor retarder with elevated moisture levels up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride, and up to 82% Relative Humidity. Provides a tough, flexible, tenacious bond to a variety of surfaces. Bostik’s Best’s elastomeric characteristics allow the adhesive to move with the wood as it expands and contracts over the life of the floor.
Bostik MVP4 – is a one-part, trowel applied, elastomeric, moisture cure urethane membrane designed to be used beneath glue-down installations of engineered, solid and bamboo hardwood flooring with Bostik’s Best, BST, EFA, or TKO adhesives. MVP4 is designed to reduce moisture vapor transmission from the subfloor, create a noise reduction barrier over the substrate, and es-tablish an anti-fracture membrane that can bridge cracks that can occur in the substrate prior to or after installation (up to 1/8″).
Bostik Vapor Lock – Vapor-Lock is a new and improved one-part, trowel-applied, rapid tacking, very low permeability moisture-cure urethane adhesive and vapor retarding membrane. This adhesive/membrane does NOT contain any water, is virtually odorless, and has 0 VOC’s. Vapor-Lock may be used for concrete slabs as an adhesive and vapor retarder with elevated moisture levels up to 15 lbs. Calcium Chloride, and up to 85% RH
Sika T21 – is a one-component, low VOC, permanently elastic, super strong, very low permeability moisture-cure polyurethane adhesive, vapor retarding, and sound reduction membrane all-in-one for full surface wood floor bonding. Sika T21 is permanently elastic – allows planks to expand and contract without damage to the adhesive.
Also, two component systems for Hardwood such as;
Armstrong S-135 Vap Arrest used in conjunction with Bruce Equalizer or Armstrong 57 Adhesives. Reduces
water vapor transmission up to 75% (to less than 3-lbs./1000 square feet/per 24 hours)
DriTac 8000 Moisture Guard Concrete Moisture Barrier and Crack Suppressant reduces the transmission rate of moisture vapor within any concrete subfloor (up to 12 lbs) to levels accepted by most wood flooring manufacturers. DriTac 8000 Moisture Guard is a one-component trowelable moisture cure urethane membrane, which forms a smooth protective membrane on concrete subfloors and significantly reduces moisture vapor transmission from affecting engi-neered hardwood flooring installations. When used with DriTac 7400, 7500, and 7600 Adhesives, DriTac 8000 Moisture Guard is fully warranted.

Sika Primer MB used in conjunction with Sika T55 or T35 to help control osmotic moisture propagation in cementitious substrates with a moisture content up to 4% CM method (approx. 6% Tramex).
Nail Down Hardwood – Better be using a required moisture retarder membrane such as AquaBar “B” or as some manufactures recommend, a 6 mil poly such as Armstrong V-Lock. AquaBar “B” has much better moisture resistance than 15-lb. felt paper and is not as messy as the 15-lb. felt paper.
VCT
Armstrong S-515 & S-721 Adhesives – good up to 7-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Humidity. No back rolling of the adhesive required.
Mapei 711 – good up to 8-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 95% Relative Humidity. No back rolling of the adhesive required.
Mapei Plani Prep ET – is a two-component, penetrating 100%-epoxy treatment. Planiprep ET penetrates deeply into the prepared concrete surface, strengthening it and creating a suitable surface for direct application of all MAPEI adhesives that are approved for use on nonporous substrates. Planiprep ET must be used in a system with Planiprep SA. Used in this manner, the product system provides subfloor moisture emission control up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride and 92% Relative Humidity without the need for shotblasting the concrete surface. Then use Mapei Ultrabond 611 or 711 Adhesives directly over the coating.
Bio Based Tile
Armstrong S-721 Adhesive – good up to 7-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Humidity. No back rolling of the adhesive. When installing on concrete, concrete must be primed with S-185 Primer prior to applying the S-721 Adhesive. Rolling of the Bio Based Tile with a 100-lb. roller is highly recommended.

Commercial Vinyl-Backed & Fiberglass Backed Sheet Flooring
Armstrong S-543 Adhesive – good up to 5-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Humidity. No special trowel required, but the adhesive must be back rolled with a short napped paint roller after troweling of the adhesive.
Mapei Plani Prep ET – is a two-component, penetrating 100%-epoxy treatment. Planiprep ET penetrates deeply into the prepared concrete surface, strengthening it and creating a suitable surface for direct application of all MAPEI adhesives that are approved for use on nonporous substrates. Planiprep ET must be used in a system with Planiprep SA. Used in this manner, the product system provides subfloor moisture emission control up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride and 92% Relative Humidity without the need for shotblasting the concrete surface. Then Prime with Mapei Primer T and skim coat with Planiprep FF, then use Ultrabond 360 Adhesive.
Johnsonite 130 and 150 SpraySmart Adhesives – good up to 85% Relative Humidity. Coverage is 150 to 185 sq. ft. per bottle.
Glue Down LVT
Armstrong S-543 Adhesive – good up to 7-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Humidity. No special trowel required, but the adhesive must be back rolled with a short napped paint roller after troweling of the adhesive.
Flexco Spray Grip Adhesive for Vinyl Tile – a spray adhesive for quick application good up to 7-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity.
Johnsonite 150 SpraySmart Adhesives – good up to 85% Relative Humidity. Coverage is 150 to 185 sq. ft. per bottle.
Floating Floor Systems (Laminate/Hardwood/LVT/Vinyl)
Armstrong S-135 VapArrest – reduces water vapor transmission up to 75% (to less than 3-lbs./1000 square feet/per 24 hours)
DriTac 8000 Moisture Guard Concrete Moisture Barrier and Crack Suppressant – reduces the transmission rate of moisture vapor within any concrete subfloor up to 12 lbs Calcium Chloride. DriTac 8000 Moisture Guard is a one-component trowelable moisture cure urethane membrane, which forms a smooth protective membrane on concrete subfloors and significantly reduces moisture vapor transmission.

Mapei PlaniPrep ET – is a two-component, penetrating 100%-epoxy treatment. Planiprep ET penetrates deeply into the prepared concrete surface, strengthening it and creating a suitable surface for direct application of all MAPEI adhesives that are approved for use on nonporous substrates. Planiprep ET must be used in a system with Planiprep SA. Used in this manner, the product system provides subfloor moisture emission control up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride and 92% Relative Humidity without the need for shotblasting the concrete surface.
Sika Primer MB – controls osmotic moisture propagation in cementitious substrates with a moisture content up to 4% CM method (approx. 6% Tramex).
Rubber Tile
Flexco Spray Grip Adhesive for Rubber Tile – a spray adhesive for quick application good up to 7-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 85% Relative Humidity.
Mapei Plani Prep ET – is a two-component, penetrating 100%-epoxy treatment. Planiprep ET penetrates deeply into the prepared concrete surface, strengthening it and creating a suitable surface for direct application of all MAPEI adhesives that are approved for use on nonporous substrates. Planiprep ET must be used in a system with Planiprep SA. Used in this manner, the product system provides subfloor moisture emission control up to 12 lbs. Calcium Chloride and 92% Relative Humidity without the need for shotblasting the concrete surface. Then Prime with Mapei Primer T and skim coat with Planiprep FF, then use Ultrabond 560 Adhesive.
Carpet Tile
Mapei Ultrabond ECO 810 offers a new formulation for even greater performance. Faster dry times and an enhanced, more aggressive tack make Ultrabond ECO 810 the perfect choice for fast-track vinyl-backed carpet tile installations. Ultrabond ECO 810 can be installed into wet adhe-sive for permanent bonding or allowed to dry to its tacky phase for releasable installations. Ultrabond ECO 810 also can be installed by spray, roller or trowel depending on installation application. Good up to 8-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 90% Relative Humidity.
Polyolefin-Backed Carpet
Mapei Ultrabond ECO 885 has been specifically designed to provide both permanent and releasable bonds for carpet and carpet tile with non-PVC, polyolefin and most “eco-type” backings. Its unique formulation has been developed to provide a very aggressive bond to polyolefin-type carpet backings where traditional adhesives will not work. Ultrabond ECO 885 can be installed into wet for permanent bonding and allowed to dry to its tacky phase for releasable installations. Ultrabond ECO 885 also can be used in fast-track construction where the Calcium Chloride is less than 8 lbs. or 90% Relative Humidity respectively, and show diminishing results over time.

Carpet with Hot-melt Backings
Mapei Ultrabond ECO 285 is a high-solids formulation has been developed for use in the wet-lay installation method, so that no flash time is required. Its rapid tack development and superior bond strength make Ultrabond ECO 285 the adhesive of choice for virtually all carpet installations. Good up to 8-lbs. Calcium Chloride and 95% Relative Humidity.
Other High Moisture Systems
Mapei Planiseal EMB – a high-performance premium, 100%-solids, two-part, epoxy, one-coat moisture barrier system for concrete slabs that exhibit moisture vapor emission rates (Calcium Chloride) up to 25 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours and reduces transmission rates to less than 3 lbs., or up to 100% Relative Humidity. Planiseal EMB’s unique formulation penetrates into the concrete substrate while creating a solid film layer on the surface for the ultimate in moisture transmission reduction. Concrete must have a concrete surface profile of #3 (shotblasted). After the application and drying of the Planiseal EMB, surface must be primed with Primer WE or T, then self leveled or skim coated. Then any type of flooring and adhesive may be used on top of the cementious patch. Great system for moisture sensitive flooring product such as Linoleum.
Mapei Planiseal Easy – is a proprietary MAPEI acrylic polymer specifically designed to treat concrete slabs (at least 14 days old) that exhibit moisture emission rates up to 8 lbs. Calcium Chloride or up to 90% Relative Humidity and reduces transmission rates to 3 lbs. or less. Tinted green, Planiseal Easy is easy to apply with a 1/4″ nap roller. This FastTrack Ready™ product dries quickly, allowing for floor-covering installations within 2 to 3 hours. Mapei Ultrabond Adhesives as well as Planiprep FF, and Planipatch patches and skim coat products may then be used directly over Planiseal Easy.

Special Thanks to JJ Haines for the Info