Can I fit DELTA®-FL in my own car?
Yes, you will be able to fit the 5' rolls into your car without problems. The rolls are light weight and easy to handle. (Roughly 42 lbs.)
How does DELTA®-FL work?
DELTA®-FL works as a vapor barrier in two ways:
1. It prevents moisture from migrating into the finish flooring
2. It slows down the migration through the concrete slab once a moisture equilibrium is reached between the DELTA®-FL air cavity and the area below the slab.
What type of subfloorf should I use over DELTA®-FL?
We recommend you use min. 7/16” thick OSB or plywood for general purpose floor finishing like carpet. Laminate floor systems can be applied directly over top of DELTA®-FL.
When installing DELTA®-FL should I install the membrane over the entire floor, or should I install my partition walls first before installing DELTA®-FL?
The easiest installation method is to install DELTA®-FL over the entire area to be protected, then install your interior non-load bearing partitions over the prepared flooring system. If your perimeter and partition walls are already installed you would follow the same installation instructions inbound of the walls.
Is it required to secure DELTA®-FL and the subfloor to the concrete slab?
Securing the DELTA®-FL would only be required when installing floor finishing materials that are susceptible to damage from movement of the system. Examples would be nailed hardwood, glued laminates, peel-and-stick tiles and a few others.
Can I install carpet directly over DELTA®-FL without any substrate?
No, carpet should not be installed directly over DELTA®-FL since you will need to attach tack strips along the edges of your room to hold down the carpet. We recommend the use of min. 7/16” thick OSB or plywood over the DELTA®-FL for carpet installations.
When installing DELTA®-FL, should I leave a gap at the perimeter, or should I install the membrane tight to the wall?
Do not leave a gap at the perimeter of the wall. Since DELTA®-FL acts as a vapor barrier it should be installed tightly or “snug” to the wall. The tighter the connection between the membrane and the wall the less vapor can pass by and migrate into the living space. The perimeter (and around penetrations) should be sealed using a low expansion spray foam. There are several brands of low expansion spray foam and one should be available in the same store where you purchase your DELTA®-FL. If you are installing DELTA®-FL to help combat water seepage from the walls, DELTA®-FL should be combined with other components to control this issue, independent of DELTA®-FL as a vapor retarder. DELTA®-FL is not a substitute for proper foundation repair and maintenance. Please contact our Technical Service Department for further assistance.
When installing laminate flooring, do I need to install a substrate, i.e. OSB?
No, laminate flooring “click lock” systems are considered a floating floor assembly. This allows the DELTA®-FL to be a floating part of that assembly as well. Place the foam underlay recommended by the laminate flooring manufacturer directly onto the DELTA®-FL. Laminate flooring with foam underlay already adhered to it is also acceptable. Follow all other installation requirements for DELTA®-FL and the laminate flooring system.
If I install the laminate flooring directly over the DELTA®-FL, will this void any warranty with the flooring manufacturer? Does the DELTA®-FL warranty still apply?
DELTA®-FL is a vapor barrier with added benefits that conventional barriers do not offer. Since laminate flooring manufacturers generally require the installation of a vapor barrier over a concrete slab prior to installing their laminate flooring, there should be no reason to void the warranty of the laminate flooring. We recommend you verify this with your supplier. If you are having problems with the use of DELTA®-FL and a particular laminate product, call our Technical Service Department for more information. Cosella-Dörken will honor its own standard DELTA®-FL product warranty for DELTA®-FL installed under laminate flooring.
Can I use DELTA®-FL with a radiant floor heating system in the concrete slab?
Yes, you can use DELTA®-FL with radiant floor heating systems. Ensure that none of the heating elements of the heating system comes into direct contact with the DELTA®-FL membrane. Most systems are designed so that the heating elements are contained within the substrate, i.e. the concrete slab. Please contact our Technical Service Department for further assistance.
After installing the DELTA®-FL and my finished flooring I notice a distinctive “tapping or clicking” noise as I walk across the floor. Is this a problem I need to endure or is it a temporary condition that will fade out over time?
The clicking or tapping sound you may hear can be caused by a couple of things. In our installation instructions, we indicate that the level of the concrete slab be checked and corrected as needed to provide a reasonable surface on which to place the DELTA®-FL. Excessive irregularities in the slab surface can cause this sound issue, which is difficult to fix after the fact.
I have started the installation of DELTA®-FL and experience a slight curling of the membrane once I unroll it on the floor. Will this affect my floor assembly and cause any problems?
After manufacturing the DELTA®-FL membrane gets rolled, packaged and stored until it is delivered to the customer. During the time of storage the material takes on what is referred to as the “set” of the roll which causes it to slightly curl when first unrolled for installation. This condition will level out over time once the finished flooring is installed and you complete the room décor.
