Installation Guide
2 of 7
5. Flooring materials that are shipped in cartons must also be stored properly. Cartons must be kept squarely positioned on the pallet
to prevent distortion of the contents and to be fully supported.
6. Do not store close to exterior walls, in direct sunlight or near HVAC vents.
7. Stored cartons are to be protected from forklift and other traffic that can damage carton corners.
8. Never double-stack pallets of flooring products.
9. Immediately remove all shrink wrapping before acclimation and verify materials delivered are correct style, color and quantity.
10. Report discrepancies immediately to ArtMore, as installation of products installed with visual defects, mixed production runs or
incorrect style will not be honored.
11. ArtMore cannot accept responsibility for any loss or damage that may result due to processing or working conditions and/or
workmanship outside our control.
12. ArtMore uses the highest quality materials and performs all ASTM testing through third party testing. We advise users to confirm the
suitability of this product by their own tests.
JOB-SITE TESTING
1. Before job-site testing, the building envelope must be sealed (walls, roofing, windows, doorways etc., installed).
2. The area to receive the LVT flooring should be maintained at a minimum of 55° F (13° C) and a maximum of 95° F (35° C) with a relative
humidity maintained between 35% and 70% before, during and after completion.
3. Test sites must be properly prepared and protected for the duration of testing to achieve valid results.
4. Surface flatness for all subfloors: The surface shall be flat to 3/16″ (3.9mm) in 10 ft. (3050 mm) and 1/32″ (0.8 mm) in 1 ft. (305 mm).
To check flatness, place a 10-ft. straight edge, string, laser level or use another suitable method on the surface, and measure the
gap. The slope should not exceed 1˝ in 6´ (2.54 cm in 1.83 m).
5. Concrete subfloors:
i. Concrete subfloors must be finished, cured, and free of all sealers, coatings, finishes, dirt, film-forming curing compounds
or other substances that may prevent proper ArtMoreing of the flooring materials (ACI 302.1 and ASTM F710).
ii. Randomly check concrete subfloor for porosity using the drop water test. Place a 1″-diameter drop of water directly onto the
concrete subfloor. If the water droplet does not dissipate within 60 to 90 seconds, the subfloor is considered non-porous.
iii. Concrete subfloors must have a minimum compressive strength of 3000 psi. Concrete subfloors shall not consist of
lightweight concrete or gypsum.
iv. Moisture testing: Perform either the preferred In-situ Relative Humidity (RH) Test (ASTM F2170) or the acceptable. Moisture
Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) Test (ASTM F1869). For acceptable moisture limits please refer to the specifications of the
adhesive of choice.
v. Alkalinity: You must test surface alkalinity (pH) as per ASTM F710.
6. Wood subfloors and underlayment panels shall have the moisture content tested using a suitable wood pin meter. Readings between
the wood subfloor and underlayment should be within 3% and have a maximum moisture content of 14% or less.
MOISTURE SUPPRESSANT SYSTEM
Concrete subfloors that exceed adhesive specifications will require a Moisture Suppressant System. Due to complexities associated
with moisture vapor transmission, emissions and movement of soluble salts (alkalinity) in concrete subfloors, ArtMore does not offer,
recommend or warranty a specific solution for excess moisture in concrete slabs. However, there are many companies that offer
solutions with warranties for excess moisture in concrete slabs.
ArtMore suggests that you reference the current ASTM F710, “Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient
Flooring,″ and ASTM F3010, “Standard Practice for Two Component Resin Based Membrane Forming Moisture Mitigation Systems
for Use Under Resilient Flooring Systems.″ Contact one or more of the following or other moisture suppressant system suppliers
for assistance:
Ardex: 724.203.5000, www.ardex.com | Mapei: 800.426.2734, www.mapei.com | Schonox: 855.391.2649, www.hpsubfloors.com