Installation Guide

I. GENERAL INFORMATION
These installation guidelines apply to the Repel Waterproof
Flooring product only. All instructions and recommendations
should be followed for a satisfactory installation.
• The oor covering should be stored and installed in a
climate controlled location with an average temperature
between 55° - 85°F - 13°-29°C.
• Post installation temperature range is between 32 and 100
degrees F - 0°-37.7°C.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods,
doing so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight
hours, the use of the drapes or blinds is recommended.
• Regardless of new construction or remodeling projects,
keep ooring stored in rooms that are not being worked
in and only install product after all other trades have
completed work that could damage the ooring.
• To minimize shade variation, mix and install planks from
several cartons.
• Inspect all planks for damage before installing. If you have any
concerns about the product t or nish, call Shaw Information
Services at 1-800-441-7429. Claims will not be accepted for
ooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.
• All suboor patching must be done with a Portland
based compound and allowed to dry completely prior to
installing ooring.
• Installation – Floating or glue down methods - installed on,
above, or below grade.
Tools: Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Jigsaw, Tapping Block or
Rubber Mallet, Pull Bar, ¼" Spacers, T-Square, Safety Glasses,
Broom or Vacuum and, if necessary, tools for suboor repair.
II. SUBFLOOR INFORMATION
All suboors must be clean, at, dry and structurally sound. The
correct preparation of the suboor is a major part of a successful
installation. Suboor must be at – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.
Underlayments - For oating installations, an underlayment
is generally not required. That said, if you prefer an even quieter
installation, you may use an underlayment that is up to1.5mm
thick. We recommend installing several planks of Repel in your
room and walking on them to determine if the extra step of
underlayment meets your needs better.
CAUTION: Some types of nails, such as common steel
nails, may cause discoloration of the vinyl oor covering.
Recommendations for attaching underlayment panels are not
included. Solvent based construction adhesives are known to
stain vinyl oor coverings. All responsibility for discoloration
problems caused by the use of the above mentioned products
is not the responsibility of Shaw, but rests with the installer and
the underlayment panel manufacturer.
A. Wood Suboors
1. Do not install material over wood suboors that lay
directly on concrete or over dimensional lumber or
plywood used over concrete.
2. Do not apply sheet plastic over wood suboors. Basements
and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black
polyethylene is required to cover 100% of the crawl space
earth. Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of
joist is 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. Where
necessary, local regulations prevail.
3. All other suboors - Plywood, OSB, particleboard,
chipboard, wafer board, etc. must be structurally sound
and must be installed following their manufacturer’s
recommendations. Local building codes may only establish
minimum requirements of the ooring system and may
not provide adequate rigidity and support for proper
installation and performance.
4. Repel Waterproof Flooring is not recommended directly
over re-retardant treated plywood or preservative treated
plywood. An additional layer of APA rated 1/4" thick
underlayment should be installed.
B. Concrete Suboors
1. Floors shall be smooth, permanently dry, clean, and free all
foreign material such as dust, wax, solvents, paint, grease,
oils, and old adhesive residue. The surface must be hard and
dense, and free from powder or aking.
2. New concrete slabs must be dry. Maximum moisture level
per CaCl test method is 8 lbs. per 1000 in 24 hr. Maximum
level for ASTM 2170 In-situ Relative humidity test method
- 85%.
3. Do no install over concrete with a history of high moisture
or hydrostatic conditions.
4. Ph level of concrete should be between 5 and 9.
5. The nal responsibility for determining if the concrete is
dry enough for installation of the ooring lies with the oor
covering installer.
Radiant Heat: Hydronic only - Radiant heat components
must have a minimum of 1/2" separation from the product. This is
the only type of radiant heat system that is approved. Radiant heat
system must be on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to
installation to reduce residual moisture within the concrete. Three
days prior to installation lower the temperature to 65 degrees,
after installation gradually increase the temperature in increments
of 5° F to avoid overheating. Maximum operating temperature
should never exceed 85°F. Use of an in-oor temperature sensor
is recommended to avoid overheating.
INSTALLATION
GUIDELINES