Use and Care Guide
Installation Instructions T & G Prefinished Engineered Plank
50 Year Residential Warranty
2 Rev.1RH-16HC
SUB FLOOR PREPARATION
APPROVED SUB FLOOR TYPES:
1) Agency approved 5/8"(19/32”) minimum thickness or 3/4” (23/32”) CDX Exposure 1 plywood 16” on center
floor joists properly nailed.
2) Agency approved 3/4” (23/32”) underlayment grade OSB Exposure 1 16” center floor joists properly nailed.
Note: When installing approved plywood or OSB, refer to specific structural panel manufacturer’s instructions for
fastening and spacing.
3) Agency approved underlayment grade particleboard.( Nail down and glue down installation not recommended
on particleboard)
4) Existing wood floors (installed at right angle only).
5) Concrete Slab
6) Resilient tile, sheet vinyl, and ceramic tile only over and above mentioned and approved sub floor.
SUB FLOORS MUST BE:
● CLEAN - Scraped or sanded, swept, free of wax, grease, paint, oil, previous or existing glues or adhesives, and
other debris
● 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 insturctions of the leveling compound manuafacturer, 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 must not exceed 14% prior to installation of wood flooring. All moisture
testing must be verified & documented before and after wood has been acclimated a minumum of48 hours and
job site requirements met.
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%, or read more
than a 2% difference than moisture content of products being installed.
CONCRETE SLABS (regardless of existing floor covering): All concrete sub floors must be tested for
moisture content prior to installation of the hardwood flooring. The concrete subfloor must be a minimum of 30
days old prior to testing. The moisture content of the concrete sub floor must not exceed 3 lbs. /1000 sq. ft. /24
hour emissions per CCTM and or 75% per Relative Humidity Test.
Below are methods to test to indicate moisture is present in the concrete sub floor:
1) Use an approved calibrated concrete moisture meter (Tramex Concrete Encounter) as a preliminary
measurement for moisture. Follow manufacturer’s specific calibration requirements.
Any reading higher than 4% indicates the need for a Calcium Chloride (ASTM F-1869) and or Relative Humidity
test (ASTM F-2170) and pH test.
2) Perform a polyfilm test. Tape down 2’ x 2’ polyfilm squares (a clear garbage bag or plastic drop cloth will do) in
several places on the floor. Wait 24-48 hours, and then check for the appearance of condensation on the inside
of the bag or plastic for a darkening on the concrete sub floor. Either occurrence signals the likely presence of
excess moisture, requiring a mandatory calcium chloride test.
3) Test with a 3% Phenolphthalein in Anhydrous Alcohol Solution
. Do not apply solution directly to the concrete
surface. First chip ¼” deep into the concrete test area and apply several drops of the solution. Any change in
color signals the likely presence of excess moisture, requiring a mandatory calcium chloride test.
4) Once you have determined the moisture content and that moisture is present a calcium chloride and pH alkalinity
test must be performed to determine the moisture emissions through the concrete slab of the moisture and
alkalinity in the concrete floor so appropriate corrective action can be taken.
● Perform a calcium chloride test according to the manufacturer’s instructions. The maximum acceptable
reading is 3-lbs. /24 hours/1000 sq. ft. for moisture emissions. Three test for the first 1,000 square feet and
one test for every 1,000 square feet thereafter.