Installation Guide

 Do not stack pallets to avoid damage. Remove any
plastic and strapping from product after delivery.
 Inspect all material for proper type, color and
matching lot numbers if appropriate.
 Ensure that all adhesives intended for installation
are approved for use with flooring material.
 Ensure HVAC system is operational and fully
functioning at normal operating conditions.
 Protect installation area from extreme temperature
changes, such as heat and freezing, as well as
direct sunlight for at least 48 hours before, during
and for the life of the installation.
 Ensure all substrate preparation and moisture
testing requirements have been performed, read
and/or understood by all interested parties.
3.
STORAGE, ACCLIMATION & SERVICE
ENVIRONMENT

Ensure material is adequately stored at
temperatures between 65° F (19° C) and 85° F (30°
C) prior to installation.

This product is designed, manufactured and tested
to perform at constant temperatures, not fluctuating
more than 4° from normal selected service
temperatures from the allowable 65° F (19° C) - 85°
F (30° C) range.

During acclimation, the material must be in the
installation area with the HVAC system functional
and operating at desired service temperatures for a
period of 48 hours prior to installation, during the
installation and for the service life of the installation
afterwards.

It is recommended maintaining an ambient relative
humidity between 40% and 60% for a period of 48
hours prior to installation, during the installation and
for the service life of the installation afterwards.
 If the material will be installed outside of the above
acclimation and service temperature ranges contact
Technical Services for more detailed installation
recommendations.
 Do not proceed with installation until all conditions
have been met.
4. SUBSTRATE PREPARATION
All substrates must be prepared according to ASTM
F710, as well as applicable ACI and RFCI guidelines.
Substrates must clean, smooth, permanently dry, flat,
and structurally sound. Substrates must be free of visible
water or moisture, dust, sealers, paint, sweeping
compounds, curing compounds, residual adhesives and
adhesive removers, concrete hardeners or densifiers,
solvents, wax, oil, grease, asphalt, visible alkaline salts
or excessive efflorescence, mold, mildew and any other
extraneous coating, film, material or foreign matter.
All substrates must have any and all existing adhesives,
materials, contaminants or bond-breakers mechanically
removed via scraping, sanding, grinding or buffing with a
25 grit DiamaBrush Prep Plus tool prior to adhesive
installation. In extreme situations, shotblasting may be
required. Mechanical preparation must expose at least
90% of the original substrate. Following cleaning and
removal, all substrates must be vacuumed with a flat
vacuum attachment or damp mopped with clean, potable
water to remove all surface dust. Sweeping without
vacuuming or damp mopping will not be acceptable.
All porous substrates must be tested per ASTM F3191 to
confirm porosity. Use a pipette or equivalent to conduct
three tests by placing a .05 mL (1/4” wide) droplet of
clean, potable water onto the surface. If the substrate
absorbs water within 60 seconds, the substrate is
considered porous. Conduct 3 tests for the first 3000 sq.
ft. and one for each additional 2000 sq. ft., at least one
per room. All other substrates that do not meet this
requirement are considered non-porous. Ensure that all
non-porous substrates are not contaminated with any
aforementioned contaminates.
It is recommended that all substrates have a floor
flatness of FF32 and/or a flatness tolerance of 1/8” in 6’
or 3/16” in 10’. Substrates that do not meet this
requirement should have a compatible cementitious
patch (such as the Excelsior CP-300) or self-leveling
underlayment (such as the Excelsior SU-310) installed to
flatten the installation area.
Do not use solvent/citrus based adhesive removers prior
to installation. Follow The Resilient Floor Covering
Institute’s (RFCI) “Recommended Work Practice for
Removal of Existing Floor Covering and Adhesive”, and
all applicable local, state, federal and industry
regulations and guidelines. When removing asbestos
and asbestos containing materials, follow all applicable
OSHA standards.
CONCRETE SUBSTRATES
All concrete must have a minimum compressive strength
of 3500 PSI and be prepared in accordance with ASTM
F710. When flooring is being installed directly over
concrete, concrete surfaces that have an ICRI Concrete
Surface Profile (CSP) over 4 should be smoothed with a
self-leveling underlayment or a patch to prevent
imperfections from telegraphing through flooring
materials. On or below grade concrete must have a
permanent, effective moisture vapor retarder installed
below the slab.