Installers & Contractors
Installer resources
Checklists and troubleshooting for Terrazzino installation crews.
Best practices
- Practice the full layer sequence on a sample board before taking on a major project.
- Prime twice — a single prime coat is a common cause of pinholes in later layers.
- Test any unfamiliar notched squeegee or rake on a scrap area before committing to the floor; yields vary by brand.
- Mix only what can be placed within pot life.
- Order 10% extra Terrazzino material so you don’t run short mid-pour.
- Vacuum meticulously after every grinding or sanding step.
- Loop-roll the Terrazzino layer flat, especially if finishing with Terrazzino Cera — that route cannot be sanded after application.
Pre-pour checklist
- Moisture testing complete (ASTM F1869 and/or F2170) and within limits
- Substrate diamond ground to the required profile and vacuumed
- Cracks and holes filled, flush, and flat
- Ambient and substrate temperature within range; substrate at least 5°F above dew point
- Relative humidity checked; induct time planned if RH > 70%
- Correct squeegee / rake on hand for each layer (50–60 mil notched squeegee or wire gauge rake for Terrazzino)
- Material staged at 65–85°F for at least 48 hours before use
- 10% extra Terrazzino material on site
- Blend and base coat color confirmed against the color chart / sample board
Ambient & substrate conditions
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Application temperature (Terrazzino layer) | 50–90°F with relative humidity below 85%. When RH exceeds 70%, let the material induct for 15 minutes before applying (remix before use). |
| Moisture (calcium chloride) | MVER below 20 lb/24 h/1,000 ft² (ASTM F1869) |
| Moisture (in-situ RH) | Between 75% and 95% RH (ASTM F2170) |
| Test frequency | At least one test per 1,000 sq ft |
| Surface profile | Minimum CSP 3 (ICRI) |
| New concrete | Cured at least 10 days; min. 3,500 psi compressive and 200 psi tensile strength |
| Substrate temperature | At least 5°F above dew point |
| Slab | At least 4 in. thick with a functioning vapor barrier |
| Not suitable over | Gypsum compounds or lightweight concrete; hydrostatic or osmotic water conditions |
| Material storage | 65–85°F for at least 48 hours before use |
Source: Terrazzino Specification sheet (snapshot; revision/date not stated) · retrieved 2026-10-30
The Terrazzino Moisture Vapor Control layer has its own, slightly different stated application window — 60–90°F with relative humidity below 90%. See theMoisture Vapor Control TDSfor the full detail.
Troubleshooting
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fix |
|---|---|---|
| Pinholes in the finish | Single prime coat; air escaping from the substrate during cure | Prime twice; fill remaining pinholes with crack paste / pinhole filler before the next layer |
| Short yield / layer thinner than expected | Using a 3/8 in. V-notch squeegee for the Terrazzino layer — it applies too little material | Use the 50–60 mil notched squeegee or wire gauge rake specified for this layer |
| Running short of material mid-pour | Coverage estimated without a waste allowance | Order 10% extra material before starting |
| Dust or debris contamination in a cured layer | Incomplete vacuuming after grinding or sanding | Vacuum meticulously after every grinding/sanding step and before placing the next layer |
| Cloudiness in the Terrazzino Cera finish | Water or chemical exposure on the wax finish | Keep the finish free of standing water and chemical contact; follow the manufacturer’s maintenance guidance to restore clarity |
| Mixed material setting up before placement | Pot life exceeded for the batch size mixed | Mix only what can be placed within pot life (15–25 minutes at 70°F) |
| Unlevel finish under Terrazzino Cera | The Cera route cannot be sanded flat after application | Loop-roll the Terrazzino layer level before it cures; correct any unlevel areas before choosing the Cera finish |