Installation Instructions

IVC Residential
Installation Guide
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
This document is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
MKF_0734 7/19
Acceptable Underlayments
• Wood underlayments
Wood underlayment panels require a double layer construction and must be underlayment grade as specified and warranted by the
manufacturer. Always fasten underlayment panels in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Any failure of the
underlayment or IVC flooring as a result of the underlayment is NOT the responsibility of IVC. Any porous wood underlayment
must be primed.
• Concrete
VCT (well bonded, on and above grade)
• Ceramic (well bonded) with a skim coat
Terrazzo (well bonded)
• Self-leveling and patching compounds (latex fortified Portland cement based only)
• Resilient floor (no more than 2 layers, well bonded, non-cushioned – residential applications only)
• Radiant heat floors (not exceeding 85°F (29°C) and approved by the manufacturer for the use of their product with resilient vinyl
flooring applications)
• Gypcrete can be utilized when necessary due to radiant heat and in high rise buildings. Gypcrete must be sealed using IVC FLEX-PRIM
Acrylic Latex Primer to stabilize the surface for adhesive bond. All issues with gypcrete cracking, crumbling, powdering and resulting in
the release of adhesive bond are NOT warranted by IVC.
• OSB (underlayment grade)
OSB underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specified and warranted by the manufacturer. Underlayment panels and
joints must be fastened and reinforced according to manufacturer’s instructions. Completely sand the floor with a floor sander, so that
the floor is smooth and flat. Note: The chips in OSB overlap. Without sanding properly, OSB has high and low spots throughout the floor
that could telegraph through the vinyl.
- Surface must be primed using IVC FLEX-PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer.
• Particle board (underlayment grade)
Particle board underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specified and warranted by the manufacturer.
- Surface must be primed using IVC FLEX-PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer.
Floor Preparation
Floor must be clean, smooth, flat and dry. Remove all foreign substances such as wax, grease, dirt, construction markings and contaminants,
and any substance or chemical that would interfere with a good bond. Fill all holes and cracks with a latex fortified Portland cement based
patching compound. Sand high spots to eliminate the possibility of telegraphing. Prime floor if needed with IVC FLEX -PRIM Acrylic Latex
Primer to prevent over absorption of adhesives, dust containment, and to ensure a better bond of the adhesive to the subfloor.
Moisture levels at the time of installation of concrete slabs during and after installation must be 5 lbs. or less per 1000 square feet per 24
hours using an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F-1869, and pH must be between 5 and 9; or, if using ASTM F-2170
In-Situ Probes should be less than 75% relative humidity.
Inspection of flooring material prior to installation is required. Any defects should be immediately reported to the retail store from which the
flooring was purchased before installation. IVC will not be responsible for labor costs to repair or replace material with defects that were
apparent before or noticed at the end of an installation.
The job site and all flooring material and adhesive must be kept for 24 hours before, during and after installation between 65° F and 85° F
(18°C and 29°C).
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