General FAQs
What is LATICRETE SUPERCAP?
It is a polymer modified, low-alkali, self-leveling cement that is blended at street level using a state of the art, computer controlled, Mobile Blending Unit that delivers a consistent, quality controlled underlayment used to finish new concrete and cap existing slabs.
What makes it different?
It is not a Portland cement-based product, but a superior calcium aluminate-based product that is more stable, water repellant, requires less water to mix and has very low shrinkage properties. B. The Mobile Blending Unit mixes at street level and pumps up to 30,000 lbs. per hour, up to 40,000 s/f per day.
Is it considered a LEAN Construction building tool?
Yes, it is proven to eliminate waste and deliver time and cost savings to both capping the slab process and a halo effect on virtually all other interior trades following the slab cap.
Is it green?
Yes, it is Greenguard Gold certified contributing to LEED v4.
How high can it pump?
Up to 50 floors.
Why is it cleaner and easier to use?
No unmixed powder enters the building eliminating: manual material handling, point load issues, and respirable silica dust. SUPERCAP is ideal when used in occupied buildings; low noise, small jobsite footprint, fast in & out, only a hose enters the building.
What kind of specifications will it deliver?
It is guaranteed to exceed Division 3 and Division 9 flatness tolerances virtually eliminating concrete deflection issues.
What about moisture?
When used in combination with a moisture mitigation epoxy such as LATICRETE VAPOR BAN E, the LATICRETE SUPERCAP System is engineered to meet the most stringent requirements for any type of flooring and adhesive.
How long does it take to dry?
SUPERCAP can be walked on in 2 to 4 hours; all trades back to work 24 hours.
How are the wear surfaces affected?
All wear surfaces will look and perform better when installed over a SUPERCAP underlayment, simply because it is dry and flat.
How do you address pouring in extreme hot weather?
We’ve designed a chiller unit that allows us to mix SUPERCAP at an average of 54 F in the truck and pours at an average of 72 F, that is at near-perfect lab temperature pour conditions.
What type of buildings would most benefit from SUPERCAP?
Interiors of Hospitals, Healthcare, Laboratories, Education, Corporate, Retail, High Rise Residential and Renovation, Repair & Remediation Projects.
What does it weigh?
Our workhorse product, LATICRETE SUPERCAP SC500, weighs 125 pounds per square cubic foot. We also have light weight options.
When is it best to apply SUPERCAP?
Early, before the walls are up is best, but that’s not always possible. We can pour late and to ongoing renovation projects. We have different steps to ensure completely reliable results.
How are the other trades on the project affected?
In addition to their returning to work in 24 hours, they will be working on a flat floor, potentially saving hundreds, even thousands of labor hours because very little shimming or scribing is needed to build and install on.
Can you apply a wear surface coating directly onto SUPERCAP?
Yes, we have several options to choose from. Please ask about your specific project and end-use.
Can SUPERCAP be used outside?
No, SUPERCAP is an interior, non-structural product.
What is your warrantee?
Depending on the choice of products, we offer up to a Lifetime Warranty.
Does SUPERCAP reduce my exposure to change orders?
A LATICRETE SUPERCAP System installed over substrate will virtually eliminate change orders for major floor prep.
What evidence do you have that LATICRETE SUPERCAP gives GC’s and A&D firms a decided advantage over competitors when competing for projects?
Allow us to estimate a project, using SUPERCAP vs. traditional methods and roll that information into your overall budget and WWP. We’ll prove it every time. Just give us the opportunity. Contact us to discuss your project!
OSHA Respirable Silica FAQs
What changed in 2017 with the OSHA regulation?
On March 25, 2016, OSHA published new standards regulating exposure to crystalline silica in the workplace. Under the new standard, 29CFR 1926.1153, the construction industry respirable quartz PEL was reduced from approximately 250 to 50 μg/m3 (micrograms per cubic meter of air). Construction employers will be required to monitor crystalline silica exposure if workplace levels may exceed 25 μg/m3 for at least 30 days in a year and provide medical monitoring to employees in those workplaces if the workers are required to wear respirators for those times. The new standards took effect on June 23, 2016; however, construction industry employers are required to comply after September 23, 2017.
How does LATICRETE SUPERCAP perform in regards to the new regulation?
When LATICRETE SUPERCAP self-leveling materials are pumped using the Mobile Blending Unit into a building, the product is transported in a wet state through a hose to the floor where the product is applied. No pallets of powders are moved into the building to be mixed inside — all handling and mixing takes place outside of the building in the MBU. Conceptually, it is obvious that this process does not contribute to respirable crystalline silica exposure to the interior of a building.
Has independent testing been conducted to prove that the LATICRETE SUPERCAP process generates exceptionally low respirable silica dust?
Yes. Independent industrial hygiene consultants Fuss & O’Neill Manufacturing Solutions (FOMS) conducted a personal and area air sampling test during a commercial LATICRETE SUPERCAP project on October 25, 2016. The report concludes that: "There was no respirable silica detected in any worker exposure or local area sample taken during the application of the SUPERCAP SC500." Additionally: " Based on this sampling event, and our knowledge of the product and process, FOMS believes there is no foreseeable exposure to respirable silica above OSHA’s action limit of 0.025 mg/m3 for any of the workers involved with this process." This report is available on request (please contact LATICRETE Technical Services).
What does this mean to customers considering LATICRETE SUPERCAP products on their projects?
It means simply that installing self-leveling products such as LATICRETE SUPERCAP SC500 with the Mobile Blending Unit will generate virtually no respirable silica dust inside the building. Other sources of respirable silica may be present from other construction activities, but since all LATICRETE SUPERCAP powders and dry materials are mixed outside the building, and only a hose with a liquid slurry goes inside, there will be no added contribution to any respirable silica exposure levels from the LATICRETE SUPERCAP activities on the project site.
Is it the Applicator's responsibility to ensure their workers utilize all appropriate PPE?
Yes it is. The website OSHA.gov includes a section on Employer Help to explain in more detail.
Where can I learn more?
Please see our product safety data sheets by clicking here.