Installation Guide

MOHAWK TECHNICAL SERVICES – HARD SURFACE | [e-mail] | 888.387.9881 1687_2020 | ES | 10/2020 | 4 of 8
Floor must be clean, smooth, at and dry. Remove all foreign substances such as wax, grease, dirt, construction marks and contaminants, and any substance or
chemical that would affect the performance of the product.
Inspection of ooring material prior to installation is required. Any defects should be immediately reported to the retail store from which the ooring was
purchased before installation. Mohawk is not 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 ooring material and adhesive (if adhesive is necessary for certain areas of the Loose-Lay) must be kept between 65° F and 85° F (18°C and 29°C) for
24 hours before, during and after installation.
Loose-Lay Installation Instructions:
1. Prepare substrate for the surface to be clean, smooth, at and dry. Under cut all door jambs to maintain a 1/8” relief gap. (If metal jamb, must leave 1/8”
expansion gap and caulk before completing job)
2. Align the pattern with the most dominant wall to achieve the best appearance in the room. Using a sharp utility knife, trim away excess material along
the walls, at cabinets, etc., leaving approximately 2” of vinyl at these areas to be trimmed off later (rough cut). Do Not install cabinets on top of loose lay
installations.
3. Place acrylic double face tape at all doorways where a transition strip is needed, next to sliding doors, patio door sills, in front of tubs and shower stalls
and similar areas where an expansion gap will not be covered with trim. Place acrylic double face tape around all oor vents to eliminate air migrating
under vinyl causing bubbles. Do NOT tape along walls or around perimeter of room.
4. Apply an “X” of acrylic double-face tape under appliances and pivot points, making sure not to overlap the tape.
5. Make relief cuts at corners and projections to allow the material to lay at before the nal cuts are made. Final trimming should be done by cutting
in with a utility knife or trimmer, leaving a 1/8” to 1/4” expansion gap around the perimeter of the room and cabinets. The gap allows for sub-oor
movement caused by changes in atmospheric conditions. The material should not touch the wall, corners or objects at any point or bubbles or wrinkles
may occur. The material must lay at to stay at.
6. Use the push broom method to thoroughly remove the air from under the vinyl. Make certain all air is removed.
7. Use quarter round or base board to cover the exposed expansion gap. When installing quarter round or any moldings, make sure that they are fastened
only to the wall and do not pinch the material at any point.
Seaming in a Loose-Lay Installation:
1. Position the ooring by over-lapping the seam edges. (Make sure to match patterns.)
2. With a straight edge and a sharp utility knife, cut through both layers of ooring material (double cut) at the designated match point. Make sure the
utility knife blade is held in an upright position for a clean 90 degree cut.
3. Remove and discard waste material.
4. Carefully fold back about 6” - 8” of the vinyl along both edges. Apply a strip of double face tape where the seam edges come together. Press tape rmly
to oor. Remove backing from the top of the tape and carefully place back one edge over the tape.
5. While the other edge is still folded back, apply a small bead of M7 Universal Seam Sealant to the edge of the vinyl that is on the oor.
6. Tuck the seam edges together and wipe off excess bond/sealer with a clean, damp cloth.
7. Use a resilient ooring type hand roller (or wallpaper seam roller) to squeeze out any remaining sealer from the seam. Immediately clean seam with a
damp cloth followed by a clean, dry cloth.
8. Protect the seam and allow it to dry (approximately 6 hours).
Additional Instructions/Notes:
• Always inspect the ooring thoroughly before installation.
• DO NOT slide heavy appliances or furniture over or across the ooring. Always lift objects and place them on a hard board between the ooring and
object and gently reposition them.
• In-oor heat/AC registers may rest on the vinyl oor, but leave space under registers that are attached to the oor or wall. They should not pinch the
ooring material. Be sure to allow a larger opening around the screw to enable movement.
• Apply caulk next to bathtubs, showers, sliding doors, patio doors, around metal door jambs or similar areas.
• For bathroom installations, it is not necessary to remove the toilet. Make relief cuts around the perimeter of the toilet and make sure the vinyl ooring