Specification Sheet

APPROVED ADHESIVE: ALL SHAW LVT/LVP ADHESIVES
Prior to the start of the installation the installer must determine that the
job-site conditions meet or exceed all applicable standards of the flooring
installation guidelines. Installation of LVT/LVP flooring should be one of the
last jobs of any construction project.
SITE CONDITIONS
The building should be completely enclosed. All outside doors and windows
should be properly installed with latching mechanisms in place.
Landscaping should be suciently completed to direct water away from the
building. Gutters and downspouts should be in place.
All concrete, masonry, plastering, drywall, painting and other wet work should
be completed and thoroughly dry prior to beginning the installation. Where
possible the installation of the base molding should not take place until after
the flooring has been installed.
The HVAC system for the building should be operational. The flooring should
not be exposed to extremes of temperature, humidity or moisture. The
installation site should have a consistent temperature of at least 65 F (air and
sub-floor and humidity levels should be between 35-55% for a minimum of 72
hours prior to and following the installation.
Basements and crawl spaces should be dry and adequately ventilated. Sub-
floors must be checked for moisture content and emissions using industry
accepted methods. Crawl spaces should meet local building codes regarding
minimum heights, cross ventilation and the use of vapor retarders.
Sub-floors must be free from dust, dirt, grease, wax, curing agents, sealers, oil
and any other bond inhibiting substances. The sub-floor should be level within
3/16” in 10’ or 1/8” in 6’.
Concrete must be dry with moisture emission rates that do not exceed 5 lbs.
/1000 sq. ft. /24 hrs. as measured by the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test
(ASTM-F-1869-98) or 85% per ASTM 2170 – in-situ Relative Humidity test
method. Concrete surface pH must not exceed 9. Before moisture testing
begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30 days. Fill low areas with
a cementitious leveling compound or latex milk additive latex patch with
a minimum 3,000 psi compressive strength. Leveling compounds must
be tested to ensure they are properly cured and within the manufacturer’s
specified requirements before proceeding with the installation. Mechanical
surface profiling is the preferred sub-floor preparation method. Mechanically
profile the sub-floor to medium- grit sandpaper texture. Sanding or scouring
with open paper or a titanium disk is preferred. Lightweight or acoustical
concrete, or overly porous substrates, must be primed with a compatible
primer, such as Shaw 9050 Primer.
For Wood Joist Systems the sub-flooring should be structurally sound,
free of loose panels or boards, and free of protruding fasteners. Moisture
content should be within normal industry standards for the area’s average
environmental conditions. Underlayment panels should be fastened according
to the manufacturer’s specifications. All panel seams should be sanded level
and prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Install the flooring
perpendicular to the floor joists. Do not install flooring over existing glue
down wood flooring or nailed down wood flooring that is wider than 3¼”.
Wide plank floors must be covered with an acceptable underlayment. Do not
install over any wood substrate that is adhered to a concrete substrate.
INSTALLATION
1. Roll out underlayment cushion and trim to fit the floor leaving no gaps
around the perimeter of the room. Where possible Underlayment should
be laid at right angles (perpendicular) to the flooring’s direction. Avoid
placing a flooring seam directly inline and over underlayment seams.
2. Pull back one half of the “cut-in” piece(s).
3. Spread adhesive onto the substrate with a 1/16" × 1/16" × 1/16" u-notch or
square trowel. Allow adhesive to properly flash and set the underlayment
into the spread adhesive. NOTE: Groundworks is a non-porous membrane.
Consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the adhesive to
avoid trapping water under the Underlayment. Temperature and relative
humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed and the
adhesive’s working time. A 100% adhesive transfer rate to Underlayment
is required. If proper transfer is not achieved, remove dried adhesive
and reapply the adhesive with the recommended trowel allowing the
appropriate open time before proceeding. Floor fans or blowers can be
used to reduce the necessary open time of the adhesive.
4. Roll completed installation with a 35lb. three-section roller in a north-
south direction and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate
seating into the adhesive. Do not use a roller heavier than 35 lbs.
5. Seams should be butted together leaving no gaps or overlaps. If installing
the underlayment on concrete, or below grade sub-floors, be sure to
tape the seams together with two inch packing tape (for added moisture
protection).
6. Allow recommended minimum 2 hours cure time before allowing trac
on the installed Groundworks Underlayment. If flooring is not to be
installed on the same day, take care to protect the cushion from damage
by using plywood panels or other means until the LVT/LVP flooring can
be installed.
LVT/LVP FLOORING INSTALLATION
1. Install the LVT/LVP per the installation guidelines for layout and any
special precautions for installation.
2. Use a 1/16” × 1/32” × 1/32” U notch trowel over top of the Groundworks
underlayment. The adhesive must be allowed to become pressure
sensitive before the installation of the LVP. NOTE: Underlayment is
non-porous, consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the
adhesive to avoid trapping water under the flooring. Temperature and
relative humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed
and the adhesive’s working time. A 100% adhesive transfer rate to the LVT
flooring required.
3. Install flooring into the adhesive. Occasionally lift a piece of flooring
to assure that a 100% adhesive transfer is achieved. If proper transfer
is not achieved, remove dried adhesive and reapply the adhesive with
the recommended trowel allowing the appropriate open time before
proceeding.
4. Roll completed installation with a 100-lb. roller in a north-south direction
and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate seating into the
adhesive.
5. Furniture placement and foot trac should be restricted for a minimum
of 24 hours.
6. Remove wet adhesive with a damp cloth. If adhesive dries, remove the
adhesive with safety solvent. Test solvent on a scrap piece of flooring to
ensure solvent does not aect the floor’s finish.
INSTALLATION FOR LOCKING FLOATING RESILIENT FLOORS
(residential application only) Commercial Products — Underlayment
must be full spread prior to floating vinyl products
1. Roll out the underlayment perpendicular to the direction you plan to
install the floating floor. Trim to fit the underlayment leaving no gaps
around the perimeter of the room.
2. Install the next 3 foot wide section of underlayment, butting the seams
together. Repeat until installation is complete. Tape is recommended to
hold the underlayment in place while the flooring is being laid.
3. Next, install the floating vinyl planks atop the underlayment according
to the installation guidelines allowing appropriate expansion gaps at the
perimeter of the installation. Be sure that you are still able to see the edge
of the underlayment so that you can properly line up the next roll.
4. Underlayment seams should be butted together leaving no gaps or
overlaps. If installing the underlayment on concrete, or below grade
sub-floors, be sure to tape the seams together with two inch moisture-
resistant tape. If installing on a wood subfloor it is recommended that
the underlayment seams not be taped. However, double faced tape or a
small amount of pad adhesive can be used between the sub-floor and the
underlayment to prevent shifting during installation of the floating floor
and to help prevent telegraphing of the seams.
GROUNDWORKS
accoustical underlayment
shawfloors.com
direct 11.21.2019
SU-521874-19