Installation Guide

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GeoWood
®
Flooring Installation Guide
Pre-Installation
Subfloor Requirements
General
• General Soft subfloors (e.g. carpets) must be removed
• The subfloor must be level – Flat to 3/16” per 10-foot radius
• The subfloor must be clean = Thoroughly swept and free of all debris
• The subfloor must be dry
• The subfloor must be structurally sound
Even though Cali Bamboo GeoWood Plank Flooring is water resistant it is NOT considered a moisture barrier. Hence,
we always require applying a moisture barrier on concrete. When using the glue down method for install the glue will act as
your moisture barrier.
Acceptable Subfloor Types
• CD Exposure 1 plywood (grade stamped US PS1-95)
• OSB Exposure 1subfloor panels
• Underlayment grade particleboard
• Existing wood (must be sanded to its raw state)
• Concrete
• Light weight concrete (may require a primer – see Titebond manufacturer for details)
• Ceramic tile (check with Titebond manufacture to see what prep will be needed: patch, self-lever, primer, etc.)
Glue Down Details
Cali Bamboo highly recommends the use of Titebond 670 when gluing Cali GeoWood. The use of any other adhesive is
at the discretion of the person or company performing the installation. If you choose to use another adhesive it is highly
recommended to use an acrylic based LVT adhesive.
Make sure to follow all Titebond guidelines which include but are not limited to:
• Plywood/OSB/Particle board subfloor moisture must not be over 12%
• Concrete Moisture should not read over 8lbs when using a Calcium Chloride test or 90% RH when using an in-situ
probe or Lignomat SDM
• Concrete alkaline levels should not be more than 9.0 pH
• Use a 1/16” Square notch trowel
• For more details please see Titebond 670 product page below:
http://www.titebond.com/product.aspx?id=c4128646-56d5-405d-8e6f-3333eccf6d1b
Wood subfloors must be securely fastened. A best practice is to nail or screw every 6” along joists to avoid squeaking. If
leveling is needed, sand down high spots and fill in low spots with a Portland based leveling compound.
Tip: If your plywood, OSB or particle board subfloor is reading higher than 12% MC it is advised to find and correct the
source of moisture intrusion before continuing installation. Cali Bamboo is not responsible for any damage caused by
moisture intrusion.
Concrete subfloors must be fully cured and at least 60 days old, preferably 90 days old. If leveling is needed, grind
down high spots and level low spots with a Portland based leveling compound. Slabs on or below grade must be free of
hydrostatic pressure.
Important: Cali Bamboo GeoWood Plank flooring is water resistant, however moisture intrusions from concrete hydrostatic
pressure, flooding, or plumbing leaks, along with high levels of alkalinity, can affect the floor over time. Moisture can also
be trapped below the flooring and create mold or mildew. The installer, not Cali Bamboo is responsible for making sure the
concrete moisture and relative humidity are suitable prior to installing this floor.
Crawlspaces must have a minimum of a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting covering any exposed earth. Crawl spaces must have
adequate ventilation and a minimum of 18” of air space between the ground and the floor joist.
Radiant Heat Systems
Cali Bamboo GeoWood flooring is not recommended for use with radiant heat systems when using the glue down method.
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