INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS GENERAL Contact Technical Services for guidance about sub-floor testing and installation recommendations. Technical Services can be reached at 855-372-7546. ● DO NOT MIX DYE LOTS OR RUNS IN ANY ONE ROOM OR AREA. These instructions cover all fully adhered installations for luxury vinyl dry back and loose lay. All recommendations are based on the most recently available information.
• • • • • Vinyl Flooring should remain at a temperature between 55°F - 85° F (13°-29° C) during its service life. Adhesive types can have a significantly different moisture tolerance which can influence required subfloor preparation well as install time. 4 mm and 5 mm thickness flooring can be installed loose lay with perimeter R88 spray or G100 Trowelable adhesive.
MATERIAL RECEIVING, HANDLING & STORAGE 1. All floor covering products require care during storage and handling. It is important to store flooring products in a dry, temperature-controlled interior area. 2. The temperature range should be between 65° F - 85° F, and the relative humidity should be controlled and maintained between 35% to 55%. 3. Material must be conditioned for at least 48 hours before beginning the installation. 4. Flooring materials that are shipped in cartons must also be stored properly.
JOBSITE TESTING 1. Before jobsite testing, the building envelope must be sealed (walls, roofing, windows, doorways etc., installed). 2. The installation area and materials to be installed shall be maintained at a minimum of 65°F (18.3°C) and a 85°F (29.4°C) for 48 hours before, during and for 48 hours after completion of the installation. Relative humidity level extremes should also be avoided. General recommended humidity control level is between 35–55%.
Readings between the wood subfloor and underlayment should be within 3% and have a maximum moisture content of 14% or less. MOISTURE SUPPRESSANT SYSTEM Concrete subfloors that exceed adhesive specifications will require a Moisture Suppressant System. Due to complexities associated with moisture vapor transmission, emissions and movement of soluble salts (alkalinity) in concrete subfloors, we do not offer, recommend, or warranty a specific solution for excess moisture in concrete slabs.
4. Remove existing resilient floor covering; remove all residual adhesive, paint or other contaminants following RFCI recommended work practice. 5. The use of adhesive removers or solvents in the abatement or removal of existing or old adhesives on concrete prohibited and may void any warranty. 6. Perform corrective actions necessary for elevated moisture or high alkalinity conditions. 7. Surface Flatness for all Subfloors: The surface shall be flat to 3/16” (3.9 mm) in 10 ft. (3050 mm) and 1/32” (0.
LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETES • Concretes in the lower end of this range are generally used for thermal and sound insulation fills for roofs, walls, and floors. The higher densities are used in cast-in-place walls, floors, roofs, and for pre-cast elements. • The minimum density of the concrete should be greater than 90lbs per cubic foot. • The minimum compressive strength should be 3,000 psi or greater. • Gypsum-based concretes are not recommended.
WOOD • Wood subfloors require an underlayment (double layer construction) with a minimum total thickness of 1” (25 mm). Use minimum 1⁄4” (6 mm) thick APA rated “underlayment grade” plywood with a fully sanded face or other underlayment panel that is appropriate for the intended usage. Install and prepare panels and seams according to the manufacturers’ instructions. Also, refer to ASTM F 1482 Standard Practice for Installation and Preparation of Panel Underlayment to receive Resilient Flooring.
INSTALLATION PROCEDURES Before starting the installation, ensure the following are satisfactorily completed. • • • • • • • • • Acclimation: See “Jobsite Testing” (pp. 3-4) Flooring Materials: See “Material Receiving, Handling & Storage” (p. 2) Expansion joints, isolation joints, or other moving joints are incorporated into concrete floor slabs to permit movement without causing random cracks in the concrete.
• Adhesive use for residential and low traffic installations: • Glue the entire perimeter using pressure sensitive adhesive. We recommend R88 Spray adhesive. Please follow the instructions printed on the can or call RI office at 855-372-7546 for additional installation instructions. R88 Spray Adhesive and G100 Adhesive should be purchased from RI at time of order to maintain all warranties.
INSTALLATION FOR TILE SQUARE 18”x18” TILE Layout of the Room for Squarely Laid Fields To square the area to be covered, first find the center of one end of the main rectangle. Locate the same point at the other end wall. Snap a chalk line between these points to mark the center line on the floor. Then measure along this center line to find the middle of the room. Figure 1 At the center point, mark off a line across the room at exactly right angles to the first line.
Figure 2 re If it is decided to have the center row of tiles straddle either or both of the center lines, additional guidelines should be snapped on the floor 1⁄2 tiles width on one side of either or both center lines as required. (See Figure 2) After the border widths have been determined and the center starting lines have been snapped spread the recommended adhesive on the center lines leaving portions of the lines at the center and near each wall uncovered as shown in Figure 3.
IMPORTANT: All flooring must be rolled with a minimum 100-lb roller after installation. Use a hand roller in areas not reached with a 100-lb. roller. Installation method for 12”x24” tile is running or stretcher bond see below diagram (Figure 4) After you have found the center of the room, take a tile and mark out the tile width from the center point of the wall to make sure that you do not end up with any cut piece smaller than 6” and adjust your mark at the center point of the room if necessary.
INSTALLATION FOR PLANK Layout of the Room (See Figure 5) Find the center point of the room. Strike a line. Obtain a true 90° angle by using a carpenter’s square. Strike a second line which will divide the room in to four equal parts. Measure the distance from the center to the wall, parallel to the direction of the plank. o Divide the measurement by the width of the plank. If less than half remains as the border plank, adjust the point to compensate.
Measure the distance from the last plank in the row to the wall. Mark the plank and cut it against the mark. Lay the plank in place, making sure that the cut edge is against the wall. Fitting Around Irregular Objects Make a pattern out of heavy paper to fit around pipes and other irregularities. Place the pattern on the plank, trace cutting along the trace lines. IMPORTANT: All flooring must be rolled with a minimum 100-lb roller after installation.
Adhesives RI requires the following G100 adhesive for the installation of LVT dry back. Only our recommended adhesives should be used. Other adhesives may not provide adequate performance and could result in a failure. Call with any questions you may have regarding adhesives at (855-372-7546). Bond Test: To determine compatibility and porosity of the subfloor, install a 2’x2’ section of flooring following installation procedures in a light traffic area for 48 hours.
RI will not assume responsibility for floor covering failure due to hydrostatic pressure or moisture vapor emission. The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floorcovering installer. CAUTION: Temperature directly affects adhesive working and setting times. Warmer temperatures shorten working times and colder temperatures lengthen working times of adhesive. Follow instructions on container for proper application.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS Radiant Heat: 1. RI flooring can be installed over Radiant heating (hydroponic) systems. There must be at least 1/2 inch of separation between the radiant heat source and the RI flooring. The maximum temperature of the subfloor surface must not exceed 85°. Before installing flooring products over newly constructed radiant-heating systems, operate the system at maximum capacity to force any residual moisture from the cementitious topping of the radiant-heating system.
ROUTINE MAINTENANCE To get your new RI floor looking its best, and to keep it that way, RI recommends the following initial maintenance procedures. For detailed recommendations, see the RI Maintenance Instructions below: • • • Use non-staining matting system at exterior doors that is appropriate for soil load and weather conditions. Use appropriate floor protectors, glides and wheels and do not drag or slide heavy objects across the surface of the floor.
