Installation Guide

For Pergo Outlast+ Only
Revised: 3-Jan-2018
excessive water exposure.
e. Grading — Inspect the outside surroundings for improper
drainage or obvious sources of moisture. The soil should
slope away from the foundation (at least
1
⁄2 inch per foot for
at least 10 feet). Walkways and driveways should direct
water away from the foundation. Adjoining properties
should drain water away from the building site.
f. Maintenance — Ensure the eaves are in good repair,
gutters, downspouts and spills caps are clear and directing
rainwater away from the foundation.
g. Floor drains or Sump Pumps — do not use Pergo Outlast+
in any room with a floor drain. Pergo Outlast+ must not be
installed over any floor that has a sump pump — i.e. should
there be a floor at a below grade level or an on-grade level
concrete slab in the home and a sump pump is located in
that below-grade level flooring or in the on-grade level
slab, then Pergo Outlast+ flooring cannot be installed
anywhere on that floor.
h. Moisture Tests — Moisture tests and job site conditions are
inseparable. The results of any moisture reading from
meters or other test methods cannot be separated from the
above job site conditions. An acceptable moisture reading
can be obtained with incorrect job site conditions during a
dry season. An acceptable moisture reading must be
accompanied with the correct job site conditions to prevent
excessive moisture from damaging any finished floor
covering.
7. SUBFLOOR R E QUIREM E NTS — GE NE R A L
a. The surface of the subfloor must be flat. The flatness
requirement is defined as follows: the maximum difference
between two high points and the intermediate low point is
3
⁄16 of an inch in a 10-foot radius. Surface flatness can also
be measured with a 3 foot straight-edge with a flatness
requirement of
1
⁄16 of an inch.
b. Fill excessive voids or low areas using a Portland cement
and latex based leveling compound. Allow the leveling
compound to dry thoroughly before beginning the Pergo
Outlast+ flooring installation. Follow the manufacturer’s
instructions to be sure it is appropriate for the application.
High areas can be sanded, ground down or floated over
with an approved self-leveling compound.
c. The subfloor must not slope more than 1 inch in 6 feet.
d. The surface of the subfloor must be clean.
e. Any existing wood flooring on concrete subfloors must be
removed prior to Pergo Outlast+ installation.
f. Carpet, pad and tack strips must always be removed.
g. If there is any question about the suitability of the subfloor or
its moisture content, contact the Pergo Technical Support
Service at 1-800-33-PERGO (1-800-337-3746).
8. WOOD SUBFLOOR R E QUIREM E N T S
*These average moisture content measurements for
interior wood are based on a well-ventilated building
without excessive moisture. Department of Agriculture —
Forest Products Laboratory. Wood handbook — Wood as
an Engineering Material.
When installing Pergo Outlast+ flooring the maximum
acceptable moisture reading for wood subfloors is 12%.
a. Wood based products, once acclimated to the interior of
home, have a stabilized moisture content* relative to the
geographic area where they are being installed.
• Most areas in the United States will average 8%
moisture content — Range 6 to 10%.
• Dry southwestern areas will average 6% moisture
content — Range 4 to 9%. New Mexico, Arizona,
Nevada and areas in Colorado, Wyoming and Idaho
and eastern California.
• Damp, warm coastal areas will average 11% moisture
content — Range 8 to 13%. Gulf coast and southern
Atlantic coast, Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama,
Florida, Georgia, and the Carolinas.
b. Plywood or other wood materials for subflooring should
meet the building code requirements.
• Creaking subfloors must be repaired before installation
of the finished floor covering.
• If the subfloor sags, inspect the joists below for
twists or weakness.
1. If the subfloor is cupped or is uneven at the joints
take moisture readings and inspect for sources
that may be allowing excessive moisture into the
building.
2. Check for excessive moisture in the crawl space
or basement and look for other signs of a
potential water problem. (See Job Site
Evaluation, section 6.)