How to use the Hollow Floor Injection System

Purchase the Stone Science Hollow/Loose Flooring Injection Tool and enough Stone Science injection adhesive for your project. Check your order for any included adhesive offer. You will also need a compatible airless paint sprayer, buckets for clean water and adhesive, and paper towels for cleanup.

A sprayer with a bucket holder is easier to maneuver, but confirm your chosen sprayer and hose are compatible with the tool and adhesive. Your tool kit includes the starter components. For a larger project, have additional 1/8-inch masonry bits ready.

With the equipment switched off and pressure fully relieved according to your sprayer manual, apply PTFE (Teflon) thread-seal tape to both threaded ends of the male-to-male adapter, where appropriate for the connection type. Keep tape out of the fluid passage.

Connect the female end of the paint sprayer hose to one side of the male-to-male adapter. Connect the female end of the Stone Science injection tool to the opposite side.

Confirm the fitting types and pressure ratings are compatible before proceeding.

Tighten the hose fittings and tool connection according to the equipment manufacturers’ instructions. Check that every connection is properly seated before pressurizing the system.

Never tighten or disconnect a fitting while the system is pressurized.

With pressure relieved, apply PTFE (Teflon) tape to the injection needle’s threaded connection as appropriate. Install the needle at the bottom of the injection tool. Slide the adjustable depth collar over the needle and twist the collar into place.

Keep the needle pointed away from yourself and others throughout assembly.

Your tool assembly is complete and ready for the priming process. Before switching on the sprayer, review the supplied tool instructions and your airless sprayer’s operating and safety manual.

Follow the Stone Science unboxing videos for a visual walkthrough of the connections and components.

Place the sprayer’s intake and return tubes in a five-gallon bucket of clean water as specified by your particular sprayer manual. Prime and start the sprayer using its own controls. With the needle directed safely into an appropriate bucket, operate the injection tool’s lever to flow water through the line.

Continue until air has been purged, and inspect the system for leaks without touching any suspected leak. If anything leaks, stop, switch off, and follow the sprayer’s pressure-relief procedure before correcting it.

Following the sprayer manufacturer’s instructions for changing materials, move the intake to a two- or five-gallon bucket of Stone Science injection adhesive, according to your project size. Keep the return/prime line positioned as required by your sprayer manual.

Point the needle safely into a suitable collection bucket. Hold the tool’s lever to flush remaining water from the hose and tool. Once a consistent flow of adhesive begins, release the lever: the system is ready for floor injection.

Keep all body parts away from the needle and discharge stream.

Using a 1/8-inch masonry bit, drill several carefully placed holes around the affected tile. Stone Science’s suggested pattern is near the four corners, with additional holes along the sides as needed to provide pressure relief and access.

On suitable natural stone, holes may instead be placed within the stone if desired. Confirm the floor contains no embedded heating, wiring, or other services before drilling, and do not use this system on heated floors.

Set the needle to the desired depth with the adjustable collar. Begin with the airless sprayer at its lowest suitable operating pressure, then gently press the tool lever to deliver adhesive. Allow the adhesive to self-level beneath the tile. Stop if you notice tile lifting, unexpected resistance, or excessive adhesive escaping.

Natural stone: Test an inconspicuous area for possible etching or staining. If needed, apply several strips of blue painter’s tape around the injection site to protect the surrounding surface from overflow.

Once you are satisfied with the amount of adhesive, twist a short piece of blue painter’s tape into a small dart or cone. Place it into the drilled opening and trim it flush with a razor blade, working carefully away from your hands.

Use the drill bit or needle only when the injection system is switched off and pressure has been relieved to push the tape below the tile or grout surface. Do not place your fingers near an active needle.

When you have finished injecting, follow your airless sprayer’s material-change and flushing instructions. Put the appropriate sprayer intake and return tubes in clean water. Direct the injection tool and needle into the adhesive bucket to recover remaining adhesive while operating at the lowest suitable pressure.

When water begins to emerge, direct the tool into the water/waste bucket and continue flushing until it runs clear. Complete the sprayer manufacturer’s pressure-relief and shutdown procedures. Do not leave adhesive sitting in the system until the next day.

After approximately 24 hours, revisit the injection sites, subject to the adhesive’s actual curing guidance and site conditions. Remove or adjust the temporary tape plugs as needed and patch the openings using color-coordinated grout, caulk, or epoxy appropriate for the surface.

Follow the patching product’s instructions and allow it to cure before returning the floor to service.