Installation Guide

Installation Instructions
RigidTec
™
Vinyl Planks
This document is reviewed on an ongoing basis.
MOHK19015 9/195
Approved Suboors
Concrete, plywood, OSB, particleboard, chipboard, hardwood (solid, engineered, parquet), tile (ceramic, terrazzo, stone, asbestos, peel and
stick), non-cushion sheet vinyl, metal, VCT, and DRIcore are acceptable substrates. All suboor requirements noted below must be met prior to
the installation of Mohawk RigidTec ooring.
Concrete Suboor Prep
• Perform moisture tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of
the room.
• High spots can be removed by grinding. Depressions can be lled with patching compound formulated for use in oor installation.
• Newly-laid concrete slabs must cure for at least 90 days prior to installation.
• Concrete can be either sealed or unsealed.
• Moisture levels of concrete slabs before, during and after installation must be ≤ 8 lbs/1000ft2/24-hr using an anhydrous calcium chloride test
according to ASTM F1869, and pH must be between 5.0 and 9.0; or, if using ASTM F2170 in-situ probes, relative humidity should be less than
90%. Always measure, record, and retain your testing results.
Wood Suboors (Plywood, OSB, Particleboard, Chipboard, Solid Hardwood, Luan)
• Wood suboors must be APA approved with a minimum grade of BB or CC. (For reference, APA refers to the American Plywood Association,
now known as the Engineered Wood Association).
• Perform moisture tests using a reliable moisture meter in multiple locations. Moisture readings should never exceed 14% for plywood, OSB,
particleboard, chipboard, or solid hardwood suboors. If moisture readings exceed 14%, conditions must be corrected at the job site before
installing Mohawk RigidTec ooring.
Other Suboor Prep
• Adhered and sound vinyl sheet goods, vinyl tiles, linoleum and resilient (VCT) tiles usually do not need to be removed if they are fully bonded
and free of any notable damage. Some older vinyl sheet goods and tile contain asbestos. Should existing ooring contain asbestos, special
precautions must be taken for your safety. Contact a professional immediately for inspection and removal.
• Ceramic tiles and terrazzo usually do not need to be removed. Grout joints wider than ¼" must be lled. RigidTec ooring may be installed
directly over ceramic tiles and terrazzo, provided they are fully adhered, smooth, sound, and dry. These ooring materials must be smooth and
at to within ¼" in a 10' radius and must not vary more than 1/16" when measured with a 3' straight edge.
• Do not install over more than one layer of existing vinyl.
Radiant Flooring Heating Prep
• After market radiant heated oors must be approved by the manufacturer for use with resilient ooring applications.
• The suboor temperature should not exceed 85°F (29°C).
Unapproved Suboors
• Carpeting/Carpet Pad
• Cushioned Vinyl Flooring
• Floating Floors
• Laminate
• Parquet Over Concrete
• Cork
• Engineered Hardwood Over Concrete
• Sleeper Substrates
• Hardwood Over Concrete
• Rubber
Remove the oors listed above and remove old adhesive before installing Mohawk RigidTec ooring.