Installation Guide

IVC US Residential Installation Guide –

Sheet Vinyl Flooring

Acceptable Underlayments:

• Wood Underlayment

Wood underlayment panels require a double layer construction and must be underlayment grade as specified and

warranted by the manufacturer. Always fasten underlayment panels in accordance with the manufacturer’s

recommendations. Any failure of the underlayment or IVC US flooring as a result of the underlayment is NOT the

responsibility of IVC US. Any porous wood underlayment must be primed.

• Concrete

• VCT (well bonded, on and above grade)

• Ceramic (well bonded) with a skim coat

• Terrazzo (well bonded)

• Self-leveling and patching compounds (latex fortified Portland cement based only)

• Resilient floor (no more than 2 layers, well bonded, non-cushioned – residential applications only)

• Radiant heat floors (not exceeding 85°F (29°C) and approved by the manufacturer for the use of their product with

resilient vinyl flooring applications)

• Gypcrete

can be utilized when necessary due to radiant heat and in high rise buildings. Gypcrete must be sealed using

IVC FLEX-PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer to stabilize the surface for adhesive bond. All issues with gypcrete cracking,

crumbling, powdering and resulting in the release of adhesive bond are NOT warranted by IVC US.

• OSB

(underlayment grade)

OSB underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specified and warranted by the manufacturer.

Underlayment panels and joints must be fastened and reinforced according to manufacturer’s instructions. Completely

sand the floor with a floor sander, so that the floor is smooth and flat. Note: The chips in OSB overlap. Without

sanding properly, OSB has high and low spots throughout the floor that could telegraph through the vinyl.

- Surface must be primed using IVC FLEX-PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer.

• Particle board (underlayment grade)

Particle board underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specified and warranted by the manufacturer.

- Surface must be primed using IVC FLEX-PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer.

Floor Preparation:

Floor must be clean, smooth, flat and dry. Remove all foreign substances such as wax, grease, dirt, construction markings

and contaminants, and any substance or chemical that would interfere with a good bond. Fill all holes and cracks with a

latex fortified Portland cement based patching compound. Sand high spots to eliminate the possibility of telegraphing.

Prime floor if needed with IVC FLEX -PRIM Acrylic Latex Primer to prevent over absorption of adhesives, dust containment,

and to ensure a better bond of the adhesive to the subfloor.

Moisture levels at the time of installation of concrete slabs during and after installation must be 5 lbs. or less per 1000

square feet per 24 hours using an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F-1869, and pH must be between 5

and 9; or, if using ASTM F-2170 In-Situ Probes should be less than 75% relative humidity.

Inspection of flooring material prior to installation is required. Any defects should be immediately reported to the retail

store from which the flooring was purchased before installation. IVC US will not be responsible for labor costs to repair or

replace material with defects that were apparent before or noticed at the end of an installation.

The job site and all flooring material and adhesive must be kept for 24 hours before, during and after installation between

65˚ F and 85˚ F (18°C and 29°C).

This document is reviewed on an ongoing basis.

MKF_0036_1 4/8/16