Installation Guide

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THD-LP-VSPC-003 Print v3
WOOD SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
The subfloor must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil,
mud and any other objects on or adhering to the floor; no
protrusions of nails, debris, or metals should remain. If necessary,
scrape and sweep the subfloor before the installation.
The subfloor must be structurally sound and stable; no movements
or squeaks; no loose panels or loose nails; no signs of ply
de-lamination or other damages. Repair all shortcomings before
installation.
The subfloor must be flat; no visible bumps or low spots; the subfloor
should be flat to within
1/4 in. in a 10 ft. span; slope 1 in. in 6 ft. .
Test for moisture using a reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at
locations around exterior doorways, near foundation walls, near
walls containing plumbing lines and in the center of the room.
Measure 20 locations per 1000 sq. ft. Moisture content of the
subfloor should be less than 12%.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB)
SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry
standard for single-panel subflooring is a minimum 5/8 in. (19/32 in.,
15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (CD Exposure 1)
or 23/32 in. OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets.
Expansion gap between panels should be 1/8 in. (3 mm). If panels
are not tongued and grooved and there is not sufficient spacing or is
inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a circular saw. Do not
cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Only for floating installation.
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing floors requires the installer to ensure the
existing floor meets the subfloor requirements for either concrete or
wood above.
Acceptable floor coverings include: solid hardwood, linoleum,
terrazzo, ceramic tile and other “moisture sealing floors.”
Unacceptable floor coverings include: carpet, needle punch felt,
edge glued linoleum and other “moisture absorbing flooring.”
JOB SITE CONDITION
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of
installation, the job site conditions including subfloor/substrate,
ambient temperature and relative humidity, and all impacting
variables will not negatively affect the floor. The manufacturer will
decline responsibility for damages associated with improper
installation or poor site conditions.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
Do not store flooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For
example, garages and exterior patios are not acceptable areas to
store flooring. Handle and unload flooring with care and store within
the environmentally controlled site in which it is expected to perform.
Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be elevated at least
4 in. to allow air circulation under cartons. Do not allow boxes to
bend, support as necessary. Stack box one on top of another.
NOTE: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of
the test. These tests do not guarantee a perpetual “dry” concrete
slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at other times
of the year. We are not responsible for moisture-related damage
to installed flooring.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete subfloors must:
□ Have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
□ Be level to within 1/4 in. in a 10 ft. span; slope 1 in. in 6 ft.; no
bumps or low spots. High spots can be removed by grinding;
depressions can be filled with patching compound formulated for
use in floor installation.
□ Be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects
on or adhering to the floor; if necessary,scrape and sweep away
before the installation; no protrusions of nails, debris, metals
s
hould remain.
□ New concrete slab must cure for at least 60 days. It must have a
minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet between the ground and the
concrete.
□ Be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the
installed flooring.
□ pH value must be between 7 - 9.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
Test all concrete subfloors for moisture content and document the
results. Visual checks are not reliable.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls
containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the
room. Minimum sample size is 3 samples per 1000 sq. ft. of area
and one test for every additional 1000 sq. ft. thereafter. Moisture
content should meet one of the following criteria:
□ 5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
□ Less than 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours when using
Calcium Chloride test (ASTMF1869).
□ 85% when using Relative Humidity Testing (ASTMF-2170).
Product Description Grade Levels
Installation Method
Vinyl SPC Flooring with click, fold,
and squeeze locking system.
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Floating.
Indoor use only.
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