Use and Care Manual

Waterproof wood installation guide lines
With 2G Technology
Life Time Finish residential warranty / 5 year commercial
2 WPW 04.19HC
● SMOOTH/FLAT - Within 1/8” on 6’ radius. Sand high areas or joints, fill low areas (no more than 1/8”) with a cement type filler no
less than 3000 p.s.i. Follow the instructions of the leveling compound manufacturer, but make certain the leveling compounds are
completely dry before beginning installation. Any irregularities may cause hollow spots between the flooring and sub-floor in any
installation method and are not warranted.
● STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak or show movement. Replace any delaminated or damaged
sub-flooring or underlayment. Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement. If the subfloor has excessive vertical movement or
deflection before installation it is likely it will have deflection after the flooring is installed.
● DRY - - Moisture content of sub-floor should exceed 14% before installation of wood flooring.
WOOD SUBSTRATES: Test the moisture of the wood substrate using a calibrated moisture meter approved for testing wood
moisture according to the meter manufacturer. The reading should not exceed 14%. THESE TESTS ARE TO AVOID
MOISTURE BUILD UP UNDER THE FLOORING, CREATING CONDITIONS FOR MOLD AND MILDEW TO GROW.
CONCRETE SLABS (regardless of existing floor covering): All concrete sub-floors must be tested for moisture content
before installation of the hardwood flooring. The concrete subfloor must be a minimum of 30 days old before moisture testing.
The moisture content of the concrete sub-floor must not exceed 5 lbs. /1000 sq. ft. /24-hour emissions per CCTM and or 90%
per Relative Humidity Test
THESE TESTS ARE AVOID MOISTURE BUILD UP UNDER THE FLOORING, CREATING CONDITIONS FOR MOLD AND
MILDEW TO GROW.
Below are methods to test to indicate moisture is present in the concrete subfloor:
1) Use an approved calibrated concrete moisture meter (Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter) as a preliminary measurement for
moisture. Follow the manufacturer’s specific calibration requirements.
Any reading higher than 5% indicates the need for a Calcium Chloride (ASTM F-1868) and or Relative Humidity test (ASTM F-
2170) and pH test.
Note: If a subfloor has been flooded or rained upon, it may not be suitable to install flooring until dry.
INSTALLATION on WOOD SUBSTRATE:
Note: Do not use the glue down installation method on underlayment grade particleboard.
Sub-floor should be constructed of 5/8” (19/32”) or thicker plywood or 3/4“(23/32") OSB when installing directly over a minimum 2 x 10-
floor joists 16” on center. For up to 19.2” on center 3/4“(23/32") plywood or OSB should be used. For 19.2” to 24” on center 7/8”
plywood or OSB should be used. Structural Panels must be installed sealed side down. Plywood sheets should be laid with grained
outer plies at right angles to joists; adjacent rows staggered four feet and nailed every 6” along each joist with 7D or larger nails. When
installing directly over old wood or strip floor, sand any high spots, re-nail old floor to eliminate squeaks or loose boards, and install new
planks at a right angle (perpendicular) to the old floor, or overlay old floor with 1/4” plywood underlayment. Leave a 1/8” gap at the
edges and nail with 7D or larger nails every 6” at the edges and every 12” in both directions and through the interior of each sheet of
plywood. Edge swell should be flattened. The moisture content of the wood or plywood should not exceed 14%.
INSTALLATION on CONCRETE SLABS:
All concrete sub-floors should be tested for moisture content. New concrete slabs require a minimum of 30 days curing time before
moisture testing and installation. Concrete sub-floors must be free of existing adhesives, grease, oil, dirt, and curing compound. These
may be removed chemically or mechanically, but do not use a solvent based stripper. The residual solvents can prohibit satisfactory
bond of floor adhesives, the concrete, and the flooring. To ensure a lasting bond make sure the perimeter of the foundation has
adequate drainage and vapor retarder.
Apply a liquid-based moisture vapor retarder coating to the subfloor. Over concrete, use only concrete moisture sealer systems that
are specifically designed for moisture suppression and adhesive bonding properties. Follow the manufacturer’s guidelines and
recommendations. The underlying floor must be permanently dry and protected against moisture. If this requirement is not met, the
planks can swell, shrink and warp and may void the warranty.
Note: LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE:
Lightweight concrete has a dry density of 100 pounds or less per cubic foot and is only suitable for engineered wood floors when
using the floating installation method. Many products have been developed as self-leveling toppings or floor underlayment. These
include cellular concrete, resin reinforced cementations, underlayments, and gypsum-based materials. Although some of these
products may have the necessary qualifications of underlayment for wood flooring installation, others do not. To test for lightweight
concrete, scrape a coin or key across the surface of the sub-floor. If the surface powders easily or has a dry density of 100 pounds
or less per cubic foot, use only the floating installation method.
INSTALLATION on SUB-FLOORS OTHER THAN WOOD OR CONCRETE:
Do not install over carpets.