Installation Instructions

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS
Safety for yourself and others on the job site is your responsibility as
a professional ooring installer. Read and observe the following safety
precautions.
• Read and follow the safety precautions and warnings printed on the
label of the installation accessory products being used. Obtain the
appropriate MATERIAL SAFETY DATA SHEETS (MSDS) for informa-
tion that may be required for products which may contain hazardous
materials. MSDS are available for the adhesive, joint sealer, and
grout. You may obtain an MSDS for these products by calling or
writing to your Congoleum distributor or contacting Congoleum at the
address or phone number listed on this page.
• Wood and concrete: If working on wood or concrete suboors, use
proper safety precautions when sanding or grinding. Avoid creating
dust. Concrete and cementitious patching compounds contain crystal-
line silica, which is a known carcinogen. Wood dust is classied as
a nasal carcinogen in humans. Airborne wood dust may also be an
explosive hazard.
• Resilient Flooring
WARNING
Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, beadblast, or mechanically
chip or pulverize existing resilient ooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic
“cutback” adhesive, or other adhesive. These products may contain
asbestos bers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of
such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard.
Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos bers greatly increases
the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the product
is a non-asbestos containing material, you must presume it contains as-
bestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine
asbestos content and may govern the removal and disposal of material.
Whenever possible, existing ooring should be left in place and the new
oor installed over the top. If you must remove old ooring material,
contact your retailer or Congoleum Corporation, Installation Department,
P.O. Box 3127, Mercerville, NJ 08619, for a copy of recommended work
practices for the removal of resilient oor coverings. These practices
should be followed.
NOTICE
Various federal, state and local government agencies have regula-
tions covering the removal of in-place asbestos containing material. If
you contemplate the removal of a resilient oor covering structure that
contains (or is presumed to contain) asbestos, you must review and
comply with all applicable regulations. Regulations outside the United
States may vary. Copies of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI)
Recommended Work Practices for the Removal of Resilient Floor
Coverings are available from:
Resilient Floor Covering Institute
115 Broad Street
Suite 201
La Grange, GA 30240
Please note that the RFCI Recommended Work Practices are subject
to change as new practices are incorporated. It is your responsibility to
determine that the recommended work practices you use are those in
effect.
CAUTION: PAINTS CONTAINING LEAD
Certain paints may contain lead. Common renovation activities like
sanding, cutting, removal of trim and demolition can create hazardous
lead dust and chips which can be harmful. Beginning April 22, 2010
contractors performing renovation projects, including preparation of
an area to receive oor covering, that disturb lead –based paints in
pre- 1978 homes, child care facilities and schools must be certied
and must follow specic work practices to prevent lead contamination.
Detailed information on training and certication is available through the
EPA at the following web site www.epa.gov/lead/pubs/toolkits.htm.
MOLD AND MILDEW ISSUES
Prior to removing an existing oor following the RFCI Recommended
Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings (unless state
or local law requires other measures), if there are visible indications
of mold or mildew or the presence of a strong musty odor in the area
where resilient ooring is to be removed or installed, the source of the
problem should be identied and corrected before proceeding with the
ooring work. In virtually all situations, if there is a mold issue, there is
or has been an excessive moisture issue. Visible signs of mold or mil-
dew (such as discoloration) can indicate the presence of mold or mildew
on the suboor, on the underlayment, on the back of the ooring, and
sometimes even on the oor surface. If mold or mildew is discovered
during the removal or installation of resilient ooring, all ooring work
should stop until the mold or mildew problem (and any related moisture
problem) has been addressed.
In areas where ooding has occurred, it is recommended that damaged
ooring be removed following the RFCI Recommended Work Practices
for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings (unless state or local law
requires other measures). Any underlayment and suboor should be
allowed to thoroughly dry and, if necessary, cleaned, disinfected, and
otherwise remediated consistent with the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) guidelines referenced below. Any structural damage or
signs of mold or mildew must be corrected before reinstalling resilient
ooring. This may include, for example, replacement of the underlay-
ment and/or suboor.
For water damage caused by leaking xtures, the source of the mois-
ture leak must be located and corrected. Any structural damage must be
repaired and any signs of mold or residual moisture must be addressed
before replacing the resilient ooring in the affected area.
To deal with mold and mildew issues, you should refer to the EPA
guidelines that address mold and mildew. Depending on the mold and
mildew condition present, those remediation options range from clean
up measures using gloves and biocide to hiring a professional mold and
mildew remediation contractor to address the condition. Remediation
measures may require structural repairs such as replacing the underlay-
ment and/or suboor contaminated with mold and mildew as a result of
prolonged exposure to moisture.
The EPA mold guidelines are contained in two publications “A Brief
Guide To Mold, Moisture and Your Home” (EPA 402-K-02-003) and
“Mold Remediation in Schools and Commercial Buildings” (EPA 402-
K-01-001). Appendix B of the “Mold Remediation in Schools and Com-
mercial Buildings” publication describes potential health effects from
exposure to mold, such as allergic and asthma reactions and irritation to
eyes, skin, nose and throat. These publications can be located on EPA’s
website at www.epa.gov/iaq/molds/
• Keep work areas free of obstructions, such as tools and scrap or
loose tiles, and dispose of scrap materials promptly and properly to
eliminate a slip or trip hazard.
• Always use the correct lifting practices.
• Use heavy-duty extension cords and keep them in good repair.
• If using minerals spirits as suggested in this guide, CAUTION: Miner-
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