Installation Guide

5
February 19, 2019 Please contact 1-866-843-8453 for further assistance.
NOTE: Various Federal, State, and Local government agencies
have regulations governing the removal of in-place asbestos-
containing material. If you contemplate the removal of a resilient
oor covering structure that contains (or is presumed to contain)
asbestos, you must review and comply with all applicable
regulations. Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead
blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient ooring,
backing, lining felt, asphalt “cut-back” adhesive, or other adhesive.
These products may contain asbestos bers and/or crystalline
silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer
and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to
asbestos bers greatly increases the risk of bodily harm. Unless
positively certain that the product is a non-asbestos containing
material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may
require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content.
RFCI’s Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient
Floor Covering are a dened set of instructions addressed to the
task of removing all resilient oor covering structures. For further
information, visit the Resilient Floor Covering Institute website at
www.rfci.com.
OTHER SUBFLOORS
GENERAL CONDITIONS
It is always best practice and recommended to remove existing ooring
and start new with the original base. Recognizing that there are certain
situations in which this is not possible, existing ooring materials such
as terrazzo, marble, ceramic tile, or quarry tiles may be a suitable
substrate for LVT if properly prepared. Note: Special attention in the
preparation of these substrates must be taken. Consult with substrate
preparation material supplier for appropriate material selections,
application requirements, and warranty information. The responsibility
of the assessment, determination, and selection of the substrate
preparation material, along with application and product performance,
rests with the applicator and preparation material provider.
Terrazzo and Stone Suboors: These materials are porous and allow
moisture to pass through. As such, the suboor must be tested for
moisture and pH, as outlined in the "Moisture and Alkalinity" subsection
under "Concrete Suboors". If the moisture and pH do not meet the
tolerances of the appropriate adhesive, moisture mitigation is required.
Any loose or damaged tiles must be repaired or removed. Thoroughly
clean the surface to remove all old sealants, varnishes, oil, grease, wax,
or nishes. Roughen smooth or glazed surfaces to provide a mechanical
key for self-leveling compounds or preparation materials. Follow the
manufacturer’s recommendations for such preparation materials.
Existing Resilient Floors: LVT may be installed over a single layer
of existing resilient ooring, on-grade and suspended moisture-free
substrates (never below grade), when properly prepared. Never
install over existing cushion vinyl, rubber, or slip-retardant ooring.
The existing material must be fully and rmly bonded to an approved
suboor or underlayment. All polishes, waxes, oor nishes, and
contaminants must be properly stripped. Indented or damaged areas
must be replaced or repaired. Use appropriate patching, repair or
embossing levelers.
Embossing Levelers: Use embossing levelers on sheet goods with
textures that could telegraph through ooring. Self-leveling compounds
must fully cure according to manufacturer’s instructions before installing
LVT ooring. The ooring contractor is fully responsible for moisture
and leveler-related issues. Note: The use of embossing levelers on
sheet goods will not create a porous suboor.
Metal Substrates: It may be possible to install directly over steel,
stainless steel, aluminum, and lead substrates using the appropriate
adhesive but confirm and follow the adhesive manufacturers
recommendations. These types of substrates must be thoroughly
cleaned, dried and free of dust, dirt, wax, paint, grease, or any other
contaminates that may interfere with the adhesive bond. The surface
may require cleaning with mineral spirits to remove oil or grease prior to
abrading or lightly sanding the surface to achieve a satisfactory bond.
A bond test should be performed prior to installation. Metal substrates
require the non- porous application method. Due to the softness of lead,
it is recommended that it be coated with a minimum of 1/8” cement-
based underlayment. While this may not be a requirement for thin
applications of lead, it must be understood that lead will indent quite
easily. A bond test should be performed prior to installation. Contact
Customer Service for details.
Polymeric Poured Floors: These type of oors are generally two-part,
resin-based, epoxy paints or coatings. It’s very difcult to tell whether or
not they are well bonded to the substrate and are subject to issues with
excessive moisture. Thus, it is recommended that polymeric poured
oors be removed, so as to avoid potential problems.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS
Radiant Heat: Radiant heating systems must be cast ½" below the
surface of the concrete slab, and should be operating at least 2 weeks
before installing LVT ooring. Set the temperature of the radiant heating
system to 68°F 48 hours before, at all times during, and 72 hours after
installation. The temperature of the radiant heat oor may be gradually
increased 72 hours after installation, but the surface temperature should
never exceed 85°F. Note: For best performance it is recommended
to use a Two-Part Epoxy Adhesive over oors with radiant heating.
Follow adhesive manufacturers instructions.
Removal of Existing Resilient Flooring - Asbestos Abatement:
It is recommended following the Resilient Floor Covering Institute
Guidelines for removal of existing tile and mastic. Existing resilient
ooring and adhesive should be mechanically removed. The use of
adhesive removers or solvents is strictly prohibited. Any mastic remover
residue including Soy or Citrus products can attack and break down
the new adhesive, resulting in tiles releasing from the suboor. Floor
covering warranties do not cover instances where adhesive removers
or solvents cause damage to the ooring or installation failure.
Concrete Curing, Sealing, Hardening or Parting Compounds: Wet
curing concrete for seven days is recommended, if at all possible.
This will prevent the need to use curing, sealing, hardening, or parting
compounds. Curing compounds leave a lm that can interfere with
the adhesion of oor coverings, and thus their use should be avoided.
Some contain wax, soap, oils, or silicones, and must be removed prior
to installing resilient ooring. Mechanically remove compounds by using
a concrete or terrazzo grinder, or by shot-blasting. Some materials are
advertised as being “dissipative,” but should not be taken for granted.
Always conduct bond tests to determine the need for removal (see
“Adhesive Bond Testing” section, directly below).
ADHESIVE BOND TESTING
Use the following test to determine if a suboor is compatible for use
with the adhesives, or to determine if the porous or non-porous adhesive
application method is required: Using the ooring and adhesive suitable
for the suboor, install a 3' x 3' section following the recommended
installation procedures. Tape the edges with duct tape to prevent the
adhesive from prematurely drying. Select light trafc areas, such as
those located next to walls or columns. The adhesive should be dry
and the ooring should be difcult to remove after 48 hours. Note: the
adhesive is dry at this point, but not cured. Full cure and maximum
bond will not occur for 6-8 days. On large installations, tests should be
performed every 50 linear feet.
Product Description
Dryback LVT/LVP
Installation Method
Glue Down