Rapid-Set vs. Standard Underlayments: What You Need to Know Before You Pour

Why cure time, strength, surface prep, and jobsite conditions matter—and where LCB Rapid shines. When it comes to choosing the right self-leveling underlayment (SLU), the decision often comes down to one critical factor: time. Installers and flooring contractors are constantly balancing tight schedules, substrate conditions, and performance requirements—and the choice between a rapid-set and a…

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A Contractor’s Guide to Substrate Conditions: What’s Too Damaged to Pour Over

Before any successful flooring installation, one truth stands firm: your pour is only as good as your substrate. No matter how advanced your self-leveler or underlayment may be, ignoring substrate conditions can lead to costly failures, callbacks, or complete tear-outs. This guide breaks down how to assess your substrate, identify when it’s too damaged to…

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How to Choose a Moisture Mitigation System That Actually Works

Why Moisture Mitigation Matters Excessive moisture emitted from concrete can wreak havoc on flooring systems—leading to adhesive failure, surface blistering, efflorescence, mold growth, and costly reinstallation. Properly addressing moisture is critical to ensuring long-lasting, safe, and high-performing flooring systems. Understanding ASTM F3010 ASTM F3010 is the recognized standard practice for two-component resin-based membrane-forming moisture mitigation…

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Gypsum Underlayment Repair: When to Restore vs. Replace

Gypsum underlayments—especially older installations in multifamily renovations—often suffer from a soft, chalky texture, surface cracks, and inadequate compressive strength. These issues compromise adhesive performance, visual quality, and durability under stress. Rather than defaulting to demolition, a systematic evaluation can save time, labor, and cost. Step 1: Diagnose the Damage—Restore or Replace? Start with a careful assessment:…

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Pullman Yards | Project Profile

DETAILS: Pratt-Pullman Yards Industrial Site converted for Fan Controlled Football (FCF) site with practice field and VIP area. Vacant for years, used numerous times as a movie set Issue:  1 – 1.5” bellies throughout appx. 30,000 ft2 concrete substrate. Unbonded solution required. Solution: Quiet Qurl 025 MC sound mat inverted with 1” of Platform L2…

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Project Profile – Leveling to Elevation in San Francisco

Sound attenuation systems are widely used throughout flooring installations. However, leveling to specific elevations over sound mat with a portland cement based system is an approach typically reserved for gypsum based cementitious underlayments over wood substrates. It has been that way with good reason, given portland cement based leveling systems are subject to shrinkage and…

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Should you use a floor primer?

The establishment of a new floor requires a carefully examined process. Preparation of the floor using a floor primer is vital for not only saving your time and effort, but money as well. A floor primer provides a plethora of benefits for the finished floor. If you want the very best adhesion and endurance of your…

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Lightweight Subfloor Solution

Reduce Dead Load

Renewal of America’s cities involves the adaptive reuse of existing structures and provides unique opportunities to contribute to lifestyle, sustainability and preservation. The approach is noted by Gensler, worldwide architecture and design firm;     “…adaptive reuse focuses on taking a building that’s past its prime and renovating it for new purposes in line  with contemporary…

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