- What are Indelval rubber floorings made of?
Our most important raw material is natural rubber, a rapidly renewable resource obtained from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Both the natural and synthetic rubbers used in the manufacturing of Indelval rubber floorings are free of PVC, plasticizers (phthalates), formaldehydes, heavy metals, asbestos and halogens (e.g. chlorine). The sustainability of our floorings is enhanced by the use of mineral fillers from natural sources and eco-compatible color pigments.
- Where does natural rubber come from?
Natural rubber is extracted, manually, by cutting the bark of the tropical rubber tree (hevea brasiliensis) and collecting the sap. This sap, white latex, is a polymer with outstanding elastic properties which is an essential part of the mix of high quality rubber. The main supply sources in the world are located in Southeast Asia.
- Which sustainability properties do Indelval rubber floorings offer?
Our most important raw material is natural rubber, a rapidly renewable resource obtained from the sap of the tropical rubber tree. Both the natural and synthetic rubbers used in the manufacturing of Indelval rubber floorings are free of PVC, plasticizers (phthalates), formaldehydes, heavy metals, asbestos and halogens (e.g. chlorine). The sustainability of our floorings is enhanced by the use of mineral fillers from natural sources and eco-compatible color pigments.
- Do Indelval rubber floorings incorporate recycled material during production?
The manufacturing process of many rubber Indelval floorings includes pre- and post- consumer recycled content for the benefit of a better environment for present and future generations. Besides, they are packaged with recycled material.
- Which sustainability features stand out during use and maintenance?
Indelval rubber flooring's extremely long life cycle and ease of maintenance not only offer a better cost/benefit ratio but also result in low consumption of environmental resources. Thanks to their long life cycle, our rubber floorings don't need to be replaced often. And the ease of maintenance reduces water consumption as well.
- Which environmental certifications does Indelval have?
Indelval has ISO 14001 certification for environmental management system and ISO 9001 for quality system. These certifications are subject to regular independent audits. Renowned independent institutions, such as IRAM, INTI, IQNet, USGBC and MAS Certified Green, and several technical tests support our environmental activities.
- Are the substances emitted by Indelval rubber floorings controlled during their life cycle in order to protect air quality?
Indelval rubber floorings are free of PVC, plasticizers (phthalates), formaldehydes, heavy metals, asbestos and halogens (e.g. chlorine). Besides, they do not contain hazardous substances which may be dangerous for the health during the floorings life cycle. The low emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC) has been tested under standard CA 01350 and certified by independent organizations.
- How long does an Indelval rubber flooring last?
Indelval rubber floorings are designed to stand the test of time. There are installations of over 30 years old.
- Which characteristics must the base floor meet in order to install a rubber flooring?
Any surface over which rubber floorings will be installed must be smooth, firm, clean and dry.
When the works is new, it would be ideal for the base floor to be concrete 1:3 (one part of cement every three of sand - free of lime) and troweled.
Concrete floors over which the rubber flooring will be installed must be absolutely dry, clean, smooth and structurally firm. They must be free of dust, solvent, paint, wax, oil, grease, residual adhesive, residual adhesive removers, compounds creating a superficial film, sealers, hardeners, alkaline salts, excess carbonation, fungi, mold or any other type of foreign agent which may hinder the rubber flooring sticking process.
All the underlayments and subfloors on natural land must have a vapor barrier (or vapor retardant) fitted directly in the land.
More information in: Installation - General recommendations
- Which precautions do I need to follow if different base floors appear, when remodeling?
Each remodeling work must be analyzed carefully, as each of these works have different and unique conditions. See "Preparation of base floors in remodeling works" to get general information on how to prepare base floors over which Indelval rubber floorings will be installed.
- Can I install a rubber flooring with old adhesive residues underneath?
You mustn't install a rubber flooring over residual adhesive. The base floors over which the rubber flooring will be installed must be free of dust, solvent, paint, wax, oil, grease, residual adhesive, residual adhesive removers, compounds creating a superficial film, sealers, hardeners, alkaline salts, excess carbonation, fungi, mold or any other type of foreign agent which may hinder rubber flooring sticking process. If you needed to remove rests of adhesive, painting or other element stuck on the surface do not use chemical methods; use abrasive methods, instead, such as scarifying, polishing and sandblasting.
- Can I install a rubber flooring over underfloor heating?
Yes, but the underfloor heating temperature must always be below 29ºC, as it may, otherwise, cause the flooring to soften, thus increasing the risk of marks.
- Which is the acceptable level of residual humidity before starting installation?
You will need to measure the residual humidity of the concrete base floor before installation. Acceptable values before installation are:
A vapor barrier (or vapor retardant) is required to be fitted directly in the land in order to avoid detachment caused by ascending humidity.
- How can I accelerate drying time?
To speed up drying time you will need to heat and ventilate the room.
- Which products do you recommend to level the base floor?
To level concrete base floors we recommend Neoval Primer 1/10 and a Neoval leveling layer NL.
- Can I use another adhesive, different form the one suggested by Indelval?
For sticking Indelval rubber floorings we recommend Neoval AD Adhesive, exclusively. We do not recommend using alternative adhesives.
- Can I use other installation supplies different from those recommended by Indelval?
Neoval Installation supplies, Neoval Primer 1/10, Neoval NL leveling layer and Neoval AD Adhesive, are the only products recommended for the installation of Indelval rubber floorings. They have been specifically designed to work as a system together with the rubber flooring and the substrate. The use of other installation supplies may cause unexpected and undesired behaviors during the installation or the life cycle of Indelval rubber floorings.
- Which scraper shall I use?
It is very important to use the scraper which comes with Neoval AD adhesive. The size of the scraper is essential to control the adhesive that will be applied. If the groove of the scraper is very big it will leave greater amounts of adhesive on the base and on the floor. This may cause scraper marks to become visible after installing the floor. Also, chances are that small mounds of adhesive will form below the floor, which, with wear, may turn into irreversible marks on the flooring.
- Which other precautions do I need to follow before installation?
Before applying the adhesive you need to carefully sweep all the base and in case of installing tiles, you will need to present them first in order to fix and harmonize colors, orientation and squareness. This needs to be done with adequate lighting and if there any problem, you will need to reposition tiles before sticking them.
When installing rolls, follow the same precautions as with tiles, taking into account that rolls are not ground and that you will need to grind them before installation or else, overlap them. In the case of marbled floorings, presentation is essential in order to make streaks match.
- Do I need to weld the joints of Indelval rubber flooring?
Indelval rubber floorings do not need to be sealed because they do not contain volatile plasticizers which may cause dimensional stability problems after installation. However, joint sealing may be recommended for decorative purposes or in areas with special requirements, such as laboratories, operating rooms, rooms with intense wet cleaning or other areas with special hygienic requirements.
- Which precautions do I need to follow after installing Indelval rubber floorings?
During the first week, after installing the rubber flooring, we suggest protecting it from the damage caused by the castor chairs with a sheet of rigid material (acrylic or plywood sheet) or with scraps of the same rubber flooring. This time will allow the adhesive to dry and cure.
- Can I scroll or drag heavy furniture directly over the rubber flooring?
Never scroll or drag heavy furniture directly over the rubber flooring. To do so, place a sheet of rigid material or a rug between the rubber flooring and the piece of furniture, and then you can scroll the item over that base. You will then avoid scratches or other type of irreversible damage.
- Which precautions do I need to follow with furniture support (tables, chairs and other items of furniture)?
Take into account the furniture support of those items which will be right on the rubber flooring. Many times, contact surfaces where furniture stands have screws, with sharp or protruding edges that may cause irreversible marks, depressions or punctures. To avoid this type of damage replace or protect this supports with wide base "rubber tips" (we recommend support surfaces of 1 square inch every 35/40 kg of weight), with smooth and nonstaining surface.
- Can castor chairs damage the floor?
Avoid using chairs with sharp edged or thin edged wheels as they may damage the base, causing detachments. The wheels of furniture, such as chairs and office furniture, must be type W according to standard EN 12529 with Shore A hardness of less than 90. Indelval recommends using wheels with polyurethane bands of a 50 mm (minimum) diameter and a support of no less than 25 mm. It is also necessary for them to roll freely over their axis, without getting stuck.
- Can fixed chairs make marks on the flooring?
Do not forget to revise and replace chair rubber tips, regularly, as the lack or wear of them may damage the floor causing an effect similar to that of a punch.
- Which products shall I use to clean and maintain the flooring?
Read the maintenance guide for information about the products you may use for cleaning and maintenance. Do not use color waxes as they may cause irreversible damage. Do not use petroleum based cleaners (oil, solvents, etc.) either.
- Can I use a rotating machine to clean the flooring?
Yes. Use low revs machines (150-200 RPM). The cloths must be those specified in the cleaning and maintenance guide (do not use black, brown, green or beige cloths). In relief floors you will need to use brushes instead of cloths.
- How often do I need to clean Indelval rubber floorings?
We suggest doing daily cleaning, in a simple and easy way. The actual frequency will depend on the quantity and type of traffic of each installation. Remember that dust and sandstone build-up hampers the appearance and long life of the flooring. We strongly recommend fitting a doormat in entrance areas. It should cover the width of the entrance and be of less than 1.50 m long. Do not forget to clean the doormat, regularly!