Installation Instructions

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NOTE: IT MAY NOT BE THE FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CONDUCT
THESE TESTS. IT IS, HOWEVER, THE FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER’S RESPONSIBILITY TO
MAKE SURE THESE TESTS HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED, AND THAT THE RESULTS ARE
ACCEPTABLE PRIOR TO INSTALLING THE FLOOR COVERING. WHEN MOISTURE TESTS ARE
CONDUCTED, IT INDICATES THE CONDITIONS ONLY AT THE TIME OF THE TEST.
5. WOOD SUBFLOORS
WOOD SUBFLOORS MUST BE STRUCTURALLY SOUND AND IN COMPLIANCE WITH LOCAL
BUILDING CODES.
 Double‐Layered APA rated plywood subfloors should be a minimum 1" / 25 mm total thickness,
with at least 18" / 45 cm well ventilated air space beneath.
 Chip board, OSB, particleboard, construction grade plywood are generally not acceptable
substrates – add a layer of APA underlayment grade ply wood that is dimensionally stable, non‐
staining, with a smooth fully sanded face.
 Insulate and protect crawl spaces with a vapor barrier covering the ground.
 DO NOT install over sleeper construction subfloors or wood subfloors applied directly over
concrete.
 Underlayment panels can only correct minor deficiencies in the subfloor while providing a smooth,
sound surface on which to adhere the resilient flooring.
 Any failures in the performance of the underlayment panel rest solely on the panel manufacturer.
 It is recommended that your chosen APA underlayment grade panels be designed for installation
under resilient flooring, and carry a written warranty covering replacement of the entire flooring
system.
 This product is not recommended directly over fire-retardant treated plywood or preservative
treated plywood.
 The materials used to treat the plywood may cause problems with adhesive bonding. An additional
layer of APA rated 1/4" / 6 mm thick underlayment should be installed.
 Always follow the underlayment manufacturer’s installation instructions.
6. RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING
 Must be single layered, non‐cushion backed, fully adhered, and smooth.
 Show no signs of moisture or alkalinity.
 Waxes, polishes, grease, grime, and oil must be removed.
 Cuts, cracks, gouges, dents and other irregularities in the existing floor covering must be repaired
or replaced.
Embossing leveler recommended to aid in proper bonding and to prevent telegraphing.
 Do not install over rubber-based substrates.
NOTE: THE RESPONSIBILITY OF DETERMINING IF THE EXISTING FLOORING IS SUITABLE TO
BE INSTALLED OVER TOP OF WITH RESILIENT, RESTS SOLELY WITH INSTALLER/FLOORING
CONTRACTOR ON SITE. IF THERE IS ANY DOUBT AS TO SUITABILITY, THE EXISTING
FLOORING SHOULD BE REMOVED, OR AN ACCEPTABLE UNDERLAYMENT INSTALLED OVER
IT. INSTALLATIONS OVER EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING MAY BE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO
INDENTATION.