Installation Guide

CAUTION: DO NOT INSTALL IN all exterior installations, seasonal porches, boats, campers, RV's, sunrooms, solariums, non-temperature controlled rooms or homes.
SAFETY AND HEALTH PRECAUTIONS
LIMITED LIFETIME RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY
PRE-INSTALLATION
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance to manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe and improper use can cause serious injuries. Avoid inhalation and exposures to airborne particles
by mechanical means and by wearing personal protective equipment. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes NIOSH or OSHA approve dust masks, safety goggles and work gloves.
Our ooring products come with a Lifetime Structural (Residential) Warranty/ Lifetime Residential Finish Manufacturer Warranty/ 15-Year Light Commercial Finish Warranty. The warranty applies to the original purchaser of the ooring
only and guarantees that the surface will not wear-through or peel off for the duration of install. Installation of the product conrms your acceptance of the product. Failure to follow Pre-Installation and Installation guidelines will void
the manufacturer’s warranty. The warranty does not cover damage from improper use, care, maintenance or installation, including scratching, exposure to moisture and humidity, water damage, denting, telegraphing, fading, or staining.
In the case of standing water or ooding, Lifeproof™ will not act as a waterproong barrier for the suboor and/or any surrounding structure. Any damage to the suboor and/or surrounding structure that is caused by standing water
or ooding is not covered by this limited warranty. For interior household use only. All maintenance instructions must be followed. Please review our warranty coverage information for specic terms and conditions.
OWNERS/INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY
Thoroughly examine the ooring prior to installation for grade, color, nish and quality. Ensure adequate lighting
for proper inspection. If ooring is not acceptable, do not install the oor. Please contact the seller immediately
and arrange for replacement. Industry standard allows up to 5% of material may be culled for blemishes or defects
without being considered defective. Please note our products contain a standard pattern variation and installers
should be working from multiple open boxes to ensure boards are blended throughout. The manufacturer cannot
accept responsibility for installation of ooring with visible defects. Installation of this product warrants the
acceptance by the installer or owner for the quality of the material, as well as conditions in which the material is
being installed therein.
To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, before proceeding with any activity that is not covered in this
manual, please contact our Customer Support Team at 1-800-956-8538.
It is the Installer/Owner responsibility to ensure that the conditions are acceptable prior to the installation of the
ooring. The manufacturer declines any and all problems associated with the ooring that are related to or attributed
to improper jobsite conditions. Any splits, cracks, grain raising, checking, edge fracturing, splintering, cupping,
crowning/peaking, warping, twisting, expansion/contraction, telegraphing, buckling or chipping that occurs during
or after the oor has been installed and as a result of abuse, misuse, improper maintenance or care, exposure to
excessive or insufcient moisture, improper installation technique and improper environmental conditions are not
covered under the manufacturer’s warranty.
Prior to installation of any ooring, the installer must ensure that the jobsite and suboor meet the requirements
of these installation instructions. All necessary accessories, including trim, must be present at the jobsite prior to
beginning installation. The manufacturer is not responsible for ooring failure resulting from unsatisfactory jobsite
and/or suboor conditions.
When purchasing ooring, we recommend adding 5%-15% to actual square footage needed for cutting allowance
and to compensate for culled material. It is acceptable that up to 5% of material be outside the range of acceptance
and not be considered defective.
It shall be the responsibility of the Installer to document installation date, product SKU and lot information, duration of
product acclimation, ooring moisture content, suboor moisture content, site relative humidity and site temperature.
This information must be documented by the installer and a copy provided to the property owner to ensure product
warranty coverage.
Squeaking and clicking noises are the result of interactions among ooring, joists and suboors when they move.
Limiting the movements of the ooring system usually eliminates most of these noises. Sometimes, it is impossible
to eliminate them completely and minor squeaking or clicking noises are to be accepted as normal ooring
phenomenon.
Failure to follow any and all of Lifeproof™ recommended installation guidelines will void warranty coverage.
WSPC ooring should be one of the last items installed for any new construction or remodel project. All Lifeproof™
products must be installed per the manufacturer’s guidelines. For any questions or specications not specically
outlined herein, please contact Lifeproof™ Technical department.
□ All “wet” work – i.e. – paint, drywall, concrete, masonry, plumbing must be complete and dry prior to the
delivery of WSPC ooring.
□ Gutters and downspouts should be in place and the exterior grade complete to allow for proper drainage of
water away from the building’s exterior perimeter.
□ Flooring should not be exposed to extremes of humidity or moisture and products must be installed using an
appropriate moisture barrier or retarder.
□ HVAC should be on, operational and maintained between 60 – 80 degrees with a relative humidity of 35%- 55%
range a minimum of 5 days prior to delivery, during and after installation of the ooring.
□ If HVAC is not possible at time of installation the environmental conditions must be at or near normal living
conditions between 60 – 80 degrees and at the average yearly relative humidity for the area.
□ Test wood suboors for moisture content using moisture meter recommended for wood ooring, such as
Ligomat SDM or comparable. Take readings of the suboor (minimum of 20 readings per 1000 sq. ft.) and
average the results.
□ Test the concrete suboors moisture content by calcium chloride testing or by using an appropriate moisture
meter. The moisture content for concrete suboors registered after a calcium chloride test should not be
greater than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet of area. If it exceeds these limits, DO NOT install the ooring.
Before moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30 days. The moisture vapor emission
rate for concrete suboors must not exceed 75% RH using ASTM 2170 or 3 pounds per 1000sqft per 24 hours
using Calcium Chloride test ASTM 1869. If using a moisture meter, please refer to the recommended guidelines
set forth for by that moisture meter’s manufacturer.
□ Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist to be no
less than 18” and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl
space area to provide cross ventilation in accordance with local regulations.
PREPARING AND LEVELING THE SUBFLOOR
1. The suboor needs to be structurally sound.
2. The sub-oor should be free of any surface defect. If it is not, ll gaps with a Portland-based leveling cement
(for concrete oors only) or sand/grind down any uneven areas. For wood oors, use a wood leveling patch or
skim coat as needed.
3. The sub-oor must be level and at to 3/16 in. (5mm) per 10’ radius or 1/8 in. (3.2mm) per 6-foot radius.
4. Any gaps in the sub-oor should not exceed 3/16 in. (5mm).
5. Use ooring screws into oor joists if necessary, to minimize squeaks in suboor.
6. The surface must be clean and free of any contaminants such as wax, paint, grease, dust, oil, nails, staples, old
adhesive, etc. and thoroughly swept and free of all debris.
7. For concrete installation, ensure that the concrete is not low-density (below 3000 psi) or gypsum based.
8. Plywood must be CDX-rated at least 3/4 in. thick. OSB must be 3/4 in., PS2 rated, and installed sealed-side
down.
9. Moisture content should not exceed 12%.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete suboors must:
□ Have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
□ Be level to within 1/8 in. in a 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in a 10 ft. span; no bumps or low spots.
□ High spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be lled with patching compound formulated for use
in oor installation.
□ Be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering to the oor; if necessary,
scrape and sweep away before the installation; no protrusions of nails, debris, metals should remain.
□ New concrete slab must cure for at least 60 days. It must have a minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet between
the ground and the concrete.
□ Be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the installed ooring.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
Test all concrete suboors for moisture content and document the results. Visual checks are not reliable.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foundation
walls and in the center of the room. Minimum sample size is 3 samples per 1000 sq. ft. of area and one
test for every additional 1000 sq. ft. thereafter.
Moisture content should meet one of the following criteria:
□ 5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
□ Less than 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours when using Calcium Chloride test (ASTMF1869).
□ 75% when using Relative Humidity Testing (ASTMF-2170).
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing oor requires the installer to consider potential issues related to moisture damage,
adhesive failure and fastener failure. Contact the adhesive and fastener manufacturers respectively for their
specic instructions, recommendations and requirements.
WOOD SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
The suboor must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering
to the oor; no protrusions of nails, debris, or metals should remain. If necessary, scrape and sweep the suboor
before the installation.
The suboor must be structurally sound and stable; no movements or squeaks; no loose panels or loose nails; no
signs of ply de-lamination or other damages. Repair all shortcomings before installation. The suboor must be at;
no visible bumps or low spots; the suboor should be at to within
1
/8 in. in 6 ft. span or
3
/16 in. in 10 ft.. Test for
moisture using a reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near foundation
walls, near walls containing plumbing lines and in the center of the room. Measure 20 locations per 1000 sq. ft.
Moisture content of the suboor should be less than 12%. Moisture content difference between the suboor and
ooring should be 2% or less.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB) SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry standard for single-panel subooring is a
minimum
5
/8 in. (
19
/32 in., 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 plywood suboor panels (CD Exposure 1) or
23
/32 in. OSB
Exposure 1 suboor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. Expansion gap between panels should be
1
/8 in. (3 mm). If panels
are not tongued and grooved and there is not sufcient spacing or is inadequate, cut in the required spacing with
a circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Only for oating installation.
RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION AREA
This product is not suitable for any outside use, sunrooms/solariums, shower/tub, saunas, seasonal porches, camping
trailers, boats, RV’s or rooms that have a potential of ooding. Do not install in rooms or homes that are not
temperature controlled.
Exposure to long term direct sunlight can cause damage to your oor. Failure to properly shade or UV tint windows
can discolor, fade, or buckle planks. Use window treatments or UV tinting on windows. Vinyl planks are not intended
for use on stairs or vertical surfaces. Do not nail, screw or fasten to substrate. Install cabinetry, island and peninsula
counters, vanities, tubs, and showers rst. Then install planks around them.
INSPECT THE FLOORING
Inspect material for color, nish, milling, texture and grade. Set aside pieces that may not be acceptable once
installed. The oors have been thoroughly inspected during the manufacturing process, but it is the responsibility
of the installer/homeowner to do nal inspection and cull-out boards that are not acceptable before installation.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
Do not store ooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For example, garages and exterior patios are not
acceptable areas to store ooring. Handle and unload ooring with care and store within the environmentally
controlled site in which it is expected to perform.
ACCLIMATION
Acclimation is not required on Lifeproof Waterproof Engineered Bamboo Flooring. If there is a signicant difference
in temperature and/or humidity in the duration of transport or at the installation site, acclimation may be necessary.
If acclimation is needed, please be sure to follow the below criteria.
□ Minimum acclimation time is 72 hours. Lifeproof™ recommends 7-10 days acclimation time for optimization.
□ If you do not allow the ooring sufcient time to acclimate and the moisture content of the ooring exceeds
that of the suboor, the ooring will continue to contract after installation and gaps may develop between the
ooring. Likewise, if the moisture content of the ooring is less than that of the suboor, the ooring may
expand and/or cupping may develop.
□ Store this ooring at the installation area before installation to allow the ooring to acclimate and adjust to
room temperature and humidity.
□ Do not open or remove product from cartons during acclimation.
□ Do not store directly on concrete or near outside walls.
□ Flooring should be kept in the location of install and stacked in an alternating pattern allowing sufcient space
for air to circulate.
BLENDING OF CARTONS
To achieve a uniform appearance across the entire oor, we require that you open and work from a minimum
of four cartons at a time and lay out the ooring ahead of time. Be sure to mix the planks for the best aesthetic
appearance. Make certain the room is well lit to ensure color is consistent and that any visual defects can be
seen and removed prior to installation. “Racking the Floor” is essential to achieve a random appearance. As you
continue working across the oor remember to maintain a six-inch minimum space between the end joints.
Randomly install different lengths to avoid a patterned appearance. Never waste materials; the end cuts from
starter rows should be used at the opposite side of the room to complete rows or may be used to start the next row.
UNDERCUT DOOR CASINGS
Undercut all door casings
1
/16 in. higher than the thickness of the ooring being installed. To do this, use a scrap
piece of ooring as a guide. Lay it on the substrate and cut the casing with a handsaw or use a power jamb saw
set at the correct height. Failure to undercut casings will result in automatic void in warranty coverage.
EXPANSION SPACE
An expansion space of ½ in. must be left around the perimeter of the room and at all vertical obstructions. More
or less spacing may be needed depending on the geographical region, interior climate, and or time of the year.
Your WSPC ooring WILL move/shrink/expand. This is a normal occurrence of ooring products.
COORDINATING TRANSITION MOLDINGS
Always have all necessary transition moldings on site prior to beginning installation. Make sure all transitions and
moldings have been coordinated with planks that have similar color and graining. Set them aside for use when a
transitioning is necessary. Lifeproof™ cannot be held liable for color variations that may exist between ooring
and coordinating trim accessories under any circumstances.
We require any installation of this oor that is installed in the oating method to use a T-Molding once the installation
has gone more than 35 feet in any single direction. Installations of the ooring beyond this distance must use
a T-Molding to release stress from the oor and allow the oating installation to properly expand and contract.
T-moldings are also required in narrow ooring areas 36 in. or less in width; oor areas interrupted by wall sections
extending out of the wall, including cabinets; oor areas which are not rectangular; wall openings-with or without
a door; L shaped rooms or otherwise not rectangular rooms will require T-moldings to split into rectangular sections.
Failure to use appropriate T-moldings will void warranty coverage.
RADIANT HEATED SUBFLOOR
This product cannot be installed over radiant heated suboor.
UNDERLAYMENT
This ooring is waterproof and reliably secures the ooring panels on all four sides. However, excessive moisture
in the suboor could promote mold, mildew, and other moisture related issues like the trapping of moisture emissions
under the ooring, which may contribute to an unhealthy indoor environment. A layer of 6 mil poly lm with all edges
overlapped and taped is required over concrete suboors. A second additional underlayment is allowed under this
product in a residential application. If installed over a secondary underlayment, this underlayment cannot be greater
than 3 mm thick, with the exception of cork products that must not exceed ¼ in.
FLOOR PROTECTION DURING CONSTRUCTION
Always protect the surface of the installed ooring during construction. Cover the oor with quality rosin paper or
other paper that will allow the oor to breathe and secure it to the baseboards; never tape directly to ooring. Do
not use plastic or polyethylene sheeting to cover the oor since they will trap moisture that will damage the ooring.
The ooring must be cleaned and completely free of any and all debris to minimize damage.
If you have any questions regarding installation of ooring not addressed in our guidelines, please contact our
technical department.
IMPORTANT: ALWAYS CHECK MOISTURE LEVELS BEFORE INSTALLING
CAUTION: ASBESTOS IN EXISTING FLOOR: This product does not contain asbestos. Existing installed resilient ooring and asphaltic adhesive may contain asbestos llers or crystalline silica. Do not sand, dry sweep,
dry scrape, drill, saw, bead-blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient ooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. See “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient
Floor Coverings” (rfci.com) for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures.
NOTE: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of the test. These tests do not guarantee a
perpetual “dry” concrete slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at other times of the year. We
are not responsible for moisture-related damage to installed flooring.
HOMEDEPOT.COM
Please contact 1-800-956-8538 for further assistance.
Installation Instructions
Wood-SPC Engineered Flooring Plank
For Assistance, Call: 1-800-956-8538
www.HomeDepot.com
Grade
Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation
Method
Floating
Product Description
7 mm T x 5.2 in. W x 36.22 in. L
Waterproof Engineered Click Bamboo Flooring
(15.45 sq. ft./case)
MFG Model #
2019-VSPC-MB16 / YYVS2003 / 2019-VSPC-DB13
2019-VSPC-DB06 / YY-VSPC-18M22 / YYVS2002 / YYVS2001
YY-VSPC-MB14 / YY-VSPC-GR10 / YYVSPC-GC18
YY-VSPC-DG02 / YYVSPC-FY08