Installation Guide

MOHAWK TECHNICAL SERVICES – HARD SURFACE | [e-mail] | 888.387.9881 1603_2020 | ES | 09/2020 | 3 of 12
Pre-Installation and Job Site Conditions (cont’d)
12 of these instructions. Likewise check the wood ooring moisture content and record on the same sheet. These moisture readings are to be left as a permanent
record of testing with the homeowner. Mohawk recommends that wood suboors be below 12% moisture content and that Mohawk Wood Floors be within 4%
of the suboor moisture readings to install the product.
Mohawk does not recommend installing ooring under cabinets or other permanent xtures.
Suboor Requirements on Above or Below Grade
These recommendations are not intended to supersede federal, state or local building codes, but as with many other interior nish products, may require
modifying existing structural components for a successful installation. Hardwood ooring is not a structural component. The product warranty does not protect
against loss caused by inadequate suboors, ooring substructures or improper installation of said substructures.
Engineered Hardwood Floors may be installed over any structurally sound sub-oor that is at, clean and dry on all grade levels. All sub-oors should be:
Clean: Suboor must be clean and free of dirt, curing compounds, drywall mud, wax, paint, oil, sealers, adhesives and other debris. These may be removed
mechanically. Do not install glued down oors over chemically cleaned substrates.
Flat: Suboor must be at within 3/16" in 10΄ radius (5 mm in 3 m) and/or 1/8" in 6΄ radius (3 mm in 2 m). Sand high areas or joints. Fill low areas with a high
compressive strength (min. 3,000 psi) portland based compound.
Dry: Wood oor moisture should be evaluated using the guidance supplied above under the heading Job Site Conditions. Concrete suboors must be cured
for a minimum of 60 days. The moisture content of a concrete suboor should be tested using a Calcium Chloride test (ASTM F1869 or ASTM F710) and show no
greater than 3 pounds per 1,000 square feet in 24 hours or <75% RH with an in situ probe (ASTM F2170). Test results must be recorded on page 12 of these
instructions and left as a permanent record of testing with the homeowner. If moisture levels exceed these limits, DO NOT INSTALL the ooring until appropriate
corrections are made.
NOTE: Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene membrane is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth. Crawl space
clearance from ground to underside of joist should be no less than 18" and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the
crawl space area to provide cross ventilation.
NOTE: To increase reliability, appropriate suboor moisture testing should be performed after the HVAC system has been in operation for a minimum of 5 days.
Excess moisture on any ooring substrate, if not identied and corrected prior to installation, will cause oor covering failure. Our warranties DO NOT cover any
problems due to moisture levels that exceed these guidelines.
Structurally sound wood suboor: Nail or screw any areas that are loose or squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate fastening pattern, glued,
screwed or nailed as system requires, typically 6" (15 cm) along bearing edges and 12"(31 cm) along intermediate supports. Flatten edge swell as necessary.
Replace any water damaged, swollen or delaminated subooring or underlayment.
Building codes establish requirements for structural support components of ooring systems which may not provide adequate rigidity and
support for proper installation and performance of a hardwood oor. Whenever possible, install ooring perpendicular to the oor joists for
maximum stability.
NOTE: When joist spacing exceeds the traditional 16" on center, manufacturer recommends application of a thin bead of Performance Accessories Tongue &
Groove D3 glue to the bottom side of the groove to lock the tongue and groove prole in place. This will reduce the potential for movement of the tongue and
groove, which may contribute to squeaking or crackle. When using this method of installation, you may continue to choose to staple or nail down the hardwood
depending on your preference. Using a D3 tongue and groove glue with the staple reduces movement as the suboor deects.
Structurally sound concrete suboor: Concrete substrate should be at least 60 days old and constructed in accordance with ASTM E1745. Level substrate and
ll all cracks, holes and low spots with a polymer modied portland cement patch or leveling compound. Burnished or steel troweled concrete substrates must
be inspected for porosity by placing a few drops of water on the surface. If the water is not absorbed within 3 minutes, the substrate should be considered non-
porous. Abrade the surface with 30-grit sandpaper until porosity is achieved. Glue down oors may be applied to concrete with a rating of 3,000 psi or greater.
Glue down application over lightweight concrete (less than 3,000 psi) is not permissible.