Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsPergo ManualsFlooringDefense+ Dark Chocolate Walnut 20 MIL x 7.5 in. W x 48 in. L Click Lock Waterproof Vinyl Plank Flooring (17.4 sqft/case)

0446ES | 03/2021 | PAGE 1 OF 9

PERGO® IS MANUFACTURED AND DISTRIBUTED BY MOHAWK INDUSTRIES, INC.

MOHAWK TECHNICAL SERVICES - HARD SURFACE | 888.387.9881 OPTION 3 | MOHAWK_TECH@MOHAWKIND.COM

Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions

Defense+

™

KEY INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS

• Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank is intended for interior use only and is suitable for above grade, on grade, and below grade

applications. DO NOT install in any outside areas, saunas, seasonal porches, camping trailers, boats, RVs, lanais, rooms that

are prone to ﬂooding, or rooms or homes that are not temperature-controlled.

• Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank is a ﬂoating ﬂoor and should be allowed to expand and contract freely. It must not be glued,

nailed, or fastened to the subﬂoor in any way. Permanent cabinets, vanities, islands and similar items should be installed ﬁrst.

Then, install Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank around them, leaving the proper expansion gap. Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank can be

installed under vanities with legs. Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank can be installed under toilets; leave proper expansion space

around the ﬂange and use a premium waterproof 100% silicone caulk. Do not anchor toilet through the material.

• Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank is a waterproof ﬂoating ﬂoor, but it should not be used to seal an existing ﬂoor from moisture. It

cannot inhibit the growth of mold or prevent structural problems associated with, or caused by ﬂooding, excessive moisture,

alkalis in the subﬂoor, or conditions arising from hydrostatic pressure. Regardless of location, always remove standing

water, urine and other liquids promptly. Job site moisture issues should be addressed and corrected prior to installation. Fill

expansion spaces around potential wet areas only with premium waterproof 100% silicone caulk.

• Long-term exposure to direct sunlight can potentially damage Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank, causing it to discolor, fade, or

buckle. Protect Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank from exposure to direct sunlight via the use of window-treatments or UV-tinting

on windows.

• If the ﬂooring is to be installed by a third party, then it is suggested that the homeowner be present during the installation

for consultation/direction. If the owner and installer can't discuss installation and layout then a consultation should take

place prior to installation The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for quality of completed installation.

BEFORE STARTING

Before beginning a Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank installation project, it is critical that you 1) fully acquaint yourself with the

detailed installation instructions for your speciﬁc ﬂooring and subﬂoor type and 2) conduct a complete job site evaluation.

• For appropriate installation information, review this guide and the assembly instructions provided on each carton of ﬂooring

you purchased.

• Make a complete job site evaluation to assure that environmental conditions are acceptable for Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank

installation. Conditions between 45°F to 115°F (7°C to 46°C) are required before and during installation. For more detail,

please reference the “Installation Prep” section of this guide.

• Determine the quantity of Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Planks, ﬂooring transitions and wall trim needed for your installation. It

is recommended that you add an additional 10% to your square footage for standard installations to account for cuts. For

diagonal installations, add 15%.

• Make sure you have the appropriate installation tools. A list of recommended installation tools can be found in the “Tools

Required for Installation” section of this guide.

• Cartons should be evenly stacked no more than ﬁve cartons high on a ﬂat surface and away from any heating/cooling ducts

or direct sunlight.

Summary of content (9 pages)

PAGE 1
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions KEY INSTALLATION CONSIDERATIONS • Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank is intended for interior use only and is suitable for above grade, on grade, and below grade applications. DO NOT install in any outside areas, saunas, seasonal porches, camping trailers, boats, RVs, lanais, rooms that are prone to flooding, or rooms or homes that are not temperature-controlled.
PAGE 2
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions TOOLS REQUIRED FOR INSTALLATION Tape Measure 3/8" Spacers Gloves Miter or Circular Saw (optional) Pull Bar Eye Protection Reciprocating Saw (optional) Soft Faced Hammer Utility Knife Level Tapping Block Knee Pads (optional) SITE PREPARATION Prior to installation, the homeowner or installer must ensure that job site conditions (including subfloor/ substrate, ambient temperature and relative humidity) will not negatively affect the floor
PAGE 3
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions E. Carefully remove any existing quarter round or baseboard molding. F. Always remove carpet, carpet pad and tack strips. G. Remove any existing floating or un-adhered flooring. H. Be sure the surface of the subfloor is flat, clean, dry and sound before starting. I. Inspect every plank for any shipping damage when removing from the carton. J. Kitchen cabinets must be installed before the floor is installed.
PAGE 4
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions APPROVED SUBFLOORS Concrete, Plywood, OSB, Particleboard, Chipboard, Hardwood (Solid, Engineered, Parquet), Tile (Ceramic, Terrazzo, Stone, Asbestos, Peel and Stick), Non-Cushion Sheet Vinyl, Metal, VCT, DRIcore All subfloor requirements noted below must be met prior to the installation of Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank.
PAGE 5
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions NON-APPROVED SUBFLOORS • Carpeting/Carpet Pad • Cushioned Vinyl Flooring • Cork • Laminate • Parquet Over Concrete • Hardwood Over Concrete • Engineered Hardwood Over Concrete • Sleeper Substrates • Rubber • Floating Floors Remove the floors noted above and remove old adhesive before installing Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank.
PAGE 6
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions PERGO DEFENSE+ VINYL PLANK CLICK LOCK INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS 1. Inspect each plank. Floor should be installed by blending planks from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade mixture throughout the installation. 2. It is recommended that installation begin in a corner of the room with the tongue facing the wall. Between the first row of flooring and the wall, insert spacers so that a 3/8" (9 mm) gap is created. 3.
PAGE 7
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions Installing Under Doorway Frames 15. When the new flooring meets a threshold or a doorway, we recommend undercutting the door jamb. To secure the right cut, turn a plank upside down and place it on the floor up to the door frame. Then place a reciprocating saw flat against the plank and simply cut through the frame. Remove the cut-out piece and vacuum away debris. Slide plank under pre-cut door frame.
PAGE 8
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions Installing Around Fixed Objects 17. Allow 3/8" (9 mm) expansion space around pipes or other fixed objects. 18. In rows where there is a pipe, make sure the pipe falls exactly in line with the short side of two planks. Select a drill bit with the same diameter as the pipe plus 1/2” (13 mm). Click the planks together on the short side and drill a hole centered on the joint between the two planks. Then install the planks. 19.
PAGE 9
Defense+ ™ Rigid Core Vinyl Plank Installation Instructions 23. Install moldings to cover the expansion gap. When installing moldings, never allow nails or screws to enter the Pergo Defense+ Vinyl Plank or the expansion zone around the flooring perimeter. All moldings and transition strips need to provide a 3/8" (9 mm) expansion space as well. (Note: Coordinated moldings can be purchased on homedepot.com. Follow molding installation instructions for proper installation.