Use and Care Manual

Product Information | 5
beneath it. Lucida Surfaces recommends that a
moisture vapor barrier be placed on the ground
below the air space.
2. On-Grade: An acceptable on-grade oor is a
concrete substrate in direct surface contact
with the ground at the surrounding ground
level. The concrete slab should be protected
from moisture penetration and incorporate a
proven moisture vapor barrier.
3. Below-Grade: An acceptable below-grade oor
is a concrete substrate partially or completely
in contact with the ground below the average
surrounding ground level. The concrete slab
should be protected from moisture penetration
and incorporate a proven moisture vapor
barrier.
• Concrete suboors must be dry, smooth and
free from dust, solvent, paint, wax, grease,
oil, asphalt sealing compounds and other
extraneous materials. The surface must be hard
and dense, and free from powder or aking.
• New concrete slabs must be thoroughly dry (at
least six weeks) and completely cured. Curing
agents, surface hardeners and other additives
may cause adhesive bonding failure. These
should be removed by sanding or grinding.
• All concrete slabs must be checked for
moisture before installing material. The nal
responsibility for determining if the concrete
is dry enough for installation of the ooring lies
with the oor covering installer. Commercial
glue down LVT must never be installed where
excessive moisture emissions may exist.
Moisture emission from suboor cannot exceed
3 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours as measured
with the calcium chloride test. A result of up
to 85% is acceptable per ASTM F2170. Lucida
Surfaces will not assume responsibility for
floorcovering failure due to hydrostatic
pressure or moisture vapor emission.
• Holes, grooves, expansion joints and other
depressions must be lled and troweled smooth
and feathered even with the surrounding
surface.
• Concrete oors with a radiant heating system
are satisfactory, provided the temperature of
the oor does not exceed 85°F at any point.
The heating system should be turned on to
eliminate residual moisture.
OTHER ACCEPTABLE UNDERLAYMENTS
• VCT (well bonded, on and above grade – in
absence of waxes or sealers)
• Ceramic (well bonded & properly prepared)
• Terrazzo (well bonded & properly prepared)
• Self-leveling and patching compounds (latex
fortied Portland cement based only)
• Resilient oor (no more than 1 layer, well bonded,
non-cushioned)
• Radiant heat oor system (not exceeding 85°F
(29°C) and approved by the manufacturer for the
use of their product with resilient vinyl ooring
applications)
DO NOT INSTALL OVER
• Any type of carpet.
• Existing cushion-backed vinyl ooring.
• Floating floor of any type, loose lay, and
perimeter-fastened sheet vinyl.
• Laminate ooring.
• Cork ooring.
III. INSTALLATION
• Remove baseboard, quarter-round moldings,
wall base, appliances and furniture from room.
For best results, door trim should be under-cut
to allow ooring to move freely without being
pinched. After preparation work, sweep and
vacuum the entire work area to remove all dust
and debris.
• As with all tile formats, Commercial glue down
LVT ooring should be “balanced” in the work
area. Randomize the direction of installation
while maintaining proper spacing between end
joints.
• Work from at least three cartons at a time and
randomize the location of similar tiles.
• Tiles may be laid squarely or laid out diagonally
in the work area. In either case, the room must
be accurately measured to square o the area
and to determine the center point.