Installation Guide

2
October 9, 2020
Jobsite & Pre-Installation Guidelines
BSPC flooring should be one of the last items installed for any new construction or remodel project. All products
must be installed per the manufacturers guidelines.
• All “wet” work – i.e. – paint, drywall, concrete, masonry, plumbing must be complete and dry prior to the
delivery of BSPC flooring.
• Gutters and downspouts should be in place and the exterior grade complete to allow for proper drainage of
water away from the building’s exterior perimeter.
• Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of humidity or moisture and products must be installed using an
appropriate moisture barrier or retarder.
• HVAC should be on, operational and maintained between 60 – 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 35%-
55% range a minimum of 5 days prior to delivery, during and after installation of the flooring.
• If HVAC is not possible at time of installation the environmental conditions must be at or near normal living
conditions between 60 – 80 degrees and at the average yearly relative humidity for the area.
• Test wood subfloors for moisture content using moisture meter recommended for wood flooring, such as
Ligomat SDM or comparable. Take readings of the subfloor (minimum of 20 readings per 1000 sq. ft.) and
average the results.
• Test the concrete subfloors moisture content by calcium chloride testing or by using an appropriate moisture
meter. The moisture content for concrete subfloors registered after a calcium chloride test should not be
greater than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of area. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the flooring.
Before moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30 days. The moisture vapor
emission rate for concrete subfloors must not exceed 75% RH using ASTM 2170 or 3 pounds per 1000sqft per
24 hours using Calcium Chloride test ASTM 1869. If using a moisture meter, please refer to the recommended
guidelines set forth for by that moisture meter’s manufacturer.
• Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6-mil black polyethylene is required to cover 100% of the
crawl space earth. Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist to be no less than 18” and
perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space area to provide
cross ventilation in accordance with local regulations.
ALWAYS CHECK MOISTURE LEVELS BEFORE INSTALLING
Preparing and leveling the sub-floor:
1. The subfloor needs to be structurally sound; do not install over particle board.
2. The sub-floor should be free of any surface defect. If it is not, fill gaps with a Portland-based leveling cement
(for concrete floors only) or sand/grind down any uneven areas. For wood floors, use a wood leveling patch or
skim coat as needed.
3. The sub-floor must be level and flat to 3/16” (5mm) per 10’ radius or 1/8” (3.2mm) per 6-foot radius.
4. Any gaps in the sub-floor should not exceed 3/16” (5mm).
5. Use flooring screws into floor joists if necessary to minimize squeaks in subfloor.
6. The surface must be clean and free of any contaminants such as wax, paint, grease, dust, oil, nails, staples, old
adhesive, etc. and thoroughly swept and free of all debris.
7. For concrete installation, ensure that the concrete is not low-density (below 3000 psi) or gypsum based.
8. Plywood must be CDX-rated at least 3/4” thick. OSB must be 3/4”, PS2 rated, and installed sealed-side down.
9. Moisture content should not exceed 12%.