Installation Guide

New or existing concrete substrates on all grade levels
must be tested in accordance with ASTM F2170, using
in situ Probes, to quantitatively determine the amount of
relative humidity no more than one week prior to the
installation.
In addition to ASTM F2170 Relative Humidity Testing,
existing concrete that has previously had floor covering
installed on all grade levels must be tested in
accordance with ASTM F1869, using Calcium Chloride
test kits, to quantitatively determine the Moisture Vapor
Emissions Rate (MVER) of the concrete.
If ASTM F2170 or ASTM F1869 test results exceed the
prescribed limits, a moisture mitigation product, such as
Excelsior MM-100 Moisture Mitigation, must be installed
prior to proceeding with installation. Do not install
flooring until moisture testing has been conducted per
the appropriate standard and/or moisture mitigation has
been installed and is dry to the touch.
Do not install flooring in below grade areas when
hydrostatic pressure is visible or suspected.
RESINOUS SUBSTRATES
When installing directly over a resinous products, such
as the Excelsior MM-100 or an epoxy coating, ensure
that coating is dry to the touch and has cured for the
prescribed length of time. Substrate must be clean, dry,
sound and free of contaminates. Ensure to follow
installation procedures and trowel sizes for non-porous
substrates.
GYPSUM BASED SUBSTRATES
Gypsum-based substrates must have a minimum
compressive strength of 3500 PSI. Gypsum substrates
that do not meet this requirement must have one coat of
the Excelsior MM-100 or equivalent installed to improve
the tensile/pull-off strength of the substrate. Substrate
must be structurally sound and firmly bonded to subfloor.
Any cracked or fractured areas must be removed and
repaired with a compatible patch or repair product.
Follow instructions for installation over a gypsum
substrate. New or existing gypsum substrates may
require a sealant or primer. Follow all manufacturers’
recommendations regarding preparation for resilient
flooring installation.
WOOD SUBSTRATES
Wood substrates must be prepared in accordance with
ASTM F1482. Wood subfloors should be of double layer
construction with a minimum thickness of 1”. Crawl
spaces beneath wood subfloors shall be in compliance
with local building ventilation codes and have at least 18”
of cross-ventilated space between the ground and the
joists. Wood joists should be spaced on not more than
16” centers.
Prior to installation, moisture retardant sheeting with a
maximum rating of 1.0 perm must be installed beneath
the wood subfloor, overlapped at least 8”. For standard
installations, use Underlayment Grade plywood with a
minimum thickness of 1/4” thick and a fully sanded
surface. When floors may be subjected to moisture, use
an APA approved exterior grade plywood.
Other wood subfloor materials, such as OSB, lauan,
particleboard, chipboard, fiberboard or cementitious tile
backer boards, are not acceptable subfloors. Avoid
preservative-treated and fire-retardant plywood, as some
may be manufactured with resins or adhesives that may
cause discoloration or staining of the flooring. Do not
install flooring directly over solid or engineered
hardwood flooring without first installing plywood or a
suitable cementitious repair product at a minimum
thickness of 1/4" over the hardwood flooring.
Wood subfloor deflection, movement, or instability will
cause the flooring installations to release, buckle or
become distorted. As such, do not use plastic or resin
filler to patch cracks. Do not use cement or rosin coated
nails and staples or solvent-based construction
adhesives to adhere the plywood. Do not install on a
sleeper system (wood subfloor system over concrete) or
directly over Sturd-I-Floor panels.
METAL SUBSTRATES
Metal substrates must be thoroughly sanded/grinded
and cleaned of any residue, oil, rust and/or oxidation.
Substrate must be smooth, flat and sound prior to
installation. Install flooring material within 12 hours after
sanding/grinding to prevent re-oxidation. Any deflection
in the metal floor can cause a bond failure between the
adhesive and the metal substrate. Ensure to follow
installation procedures and trowel sizes for non-porous
substrates.
EXISTING FLOORING SUBSTRATES
Existing rubber flooring and LVT, as well as the
adhesives used to install them, must be completely
removed from the substrate prior to installation.
Existing VCT, VAT, quartz tile, solid vinyl tile, sheet
goods, hardwood flooring, asphaltic materials and
existing adhesives or adhesive residue must have a
compatible cementitious patch or underlayment installed
over them prior to installation. Existing hardwood flooring
requires suitable underlayment grade plywood be
installed over the substrate. Adhesive may be installed
over existing stone flooring substrates, such as terrazzo,
porcelain or ceramic tile.
Ensure existing flooring is a single layer of material and
that all materials are clean, dry, sound, solid, well
adhered and free of site-applied finishes, waxes and/or
contaminants. Any and all loose tiles must be removed
and repaired or replaced.