Installation Instructions

IVC Residential
Installation Guide
Sheet Vinyl Flooring
This document is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
MKF_0734 7/19
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.
Unacceptable Surfaces
• Inter-flex and any perimeter bonded products • Carpet
• Any floating floor system • Cork
• Resilient tile installed below grade • Cushion-back vinyl
IVC will not warrant or accept responsibility of any kind for flooring failures related to the use of unacceptable substrates and surfaces.
Floor Preparation
Floor must be clean, smooth, flat and dry. Remove all foreign substances such as wax, grease, dirt, construction markings, paints, sealeres
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. IVC only recommends the use of latex fortified Portland cement based products as a
satisfactory patching or leveling compound.
IVC recommends priming extremely porous floors with IVC FLEX -PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer to prevent over absorption of adhesives, dust
containment, and to insure a better bond of the adhesive to the subfloor/underlayment.
Moisture Testing: It is the responsibility of the flooring contractor and the installer to confirm all concrete substrates, both old and new, for
moisture transmission using the Calcium Chloride Moisture Test according to ASTM F-1869. Moisture vapor transmission should not exceed
the recommended levels of 8 lbs. or less per 1,000 sq. ft. in 24 hours. This test should be performed and documented prior to installation.
A second testing option determines relative humidity in concrete floor slabs using In-Situ Probes, which should be less than 90% RH per
ASTM F-2170 before, during and after installation. These acceptable moisture readings are only applicable when using iGrip adhesive
for sheet vinyl.
PH LEVELS: PH must be between 5 and 9
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).
PLEASE NOTE: If removal of existing resilient floor covering is required, follow all recommended Resilient Floor Covering Institute
(RFC) work practices at www.rfci.com.
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