Installation Guide

The homeowner MUST be made aware of the effect that moisture has on wood flooring e.g. moisture gain can result in cupping, buckling, cracking,
splitting, checking, warping, ware-layer delamination/separation and/or cross-ply delamination/separation from the sub-floor and possible damage to
surrounding walls, tile/stone floors, cabinetry etc. Moisture loss can also result in splitting/separation of the segments, gapping, surface and or end
checking and everything else mentioned with moisture gain. The importance of maintaining a controlled environment (60 to 80f and 35 to 55rh
respectively) before, during and after the installation for the life of the floor must be understood.
During Installation: It is the installer’s responsibility to protect the flooring from any/all damage i.e. dings, dents, scratches, moisture, sand, debris of
any/all kinds, etc. Installation/construction related damages are not covered under Manufacturer structural and or finish warranties.
Delivery/ Storage: NEVER deliver wood flooring during adverse weather conditions such as rain and or snow unless the flooring can be completely
and thoroughly protected from getting wet and or gaining moisture during transit to the job-site. NEVER store wood flooring in an “uncontrolled
environment” e.g. patios, drive ways, garages, sheds, storage units, or even in the structure in which the flooring will be installed. Deliver the flooring to
the job-site ONLY when a controlled environment has been established according to Manufacturer/NWFA installation/environment requirements.
JOB SITE INSPECTION AND
PRE-INSTALLATION REQUIREMENTS
Note: In newly constructed buildings, wood flooring should be one of the last items installed. All work involving water or moisture MUST be
completed prior to the delivering of flooring to the job site. In addition, all doors and windows MUST be installed and weather stripping in
place. Additional information can be found in the National Wood Flooring Association’s Technical Publication No. A100 Water and Wood.
“How Moisture Affects Wood”.
Moisture: Job site must be dry with no visible moisture. To ensure the job site is ready for hardwood flooring, installer MUST conduct necessary
moisture tests (i.e. Calcium Chloride testing when installing over a concrete slab, or with approved Calibrated Pin Type Moisture Meters when installing
over wood sub floors). All testing results MUST be carefully recorded and made available to the homeowner before work begins. Electronic moisture
meters designed to measure moisture content in concrete slabs are NOT recognized by this Manufacturer as a viable way to determine if a moisture
vapor retarding system is needed/necessary prior to installing the floor.
Job-Site Evaluation: Contractor/installer MUST perform a pre-installation job site evaluation. The contractor/installer MUST determine the following:
Does the lot/structure sit on an alluvial plain? If so, is water run off directed away from the side of the building? Does the roof gutter system direct water
to a main drainage system that carries water away from the side of the building? Is there adequate drainage around landscape and hardscape to carry
water away from the side of the building? Also, check the surrounding concrete walkways and driveways for signs of efflorescence and/or algae
growth. Check surrounding planters for over watering as well as make sure sprinklers are directing water spray away from the side of the building.
Wet Work: All wet work such as plastering; painting and any/all masonry or tile work MUST be completed prior to delivering the flooring to the job-site.
Grade Level: Engineered flooring is designed to be installed on all grade levels: on grade, below grade and above grade. However, you MUST follow
the adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines since they can/will take precedence over wood flooring manufacturer’s installation recommendations when it
comes to sub-strate preparation, moisture testing and attachment to the sub-strate. NOTE: if any part of the soil surrounding the structure is 3”
above the floor of any level, consider that level below-grade.
HVAC System: The installation site MUST have a consistent room temperature of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 35 to 55 percent relative humidity
respectively. The structure MUST be fully enclosed with interior climate controls operating for at least 5 days before delivering flooring to the jobsite.
Moreover, recommended temperature and humidity levels MUST continue during and after installation for the life of the floor. If heating/air-
conditioning/humidification systems are in operating condition, they need to be operating. If it is not possible for the permanent heating/air-
conditioning/humidification systems to be operating before, during and after installation, a temporary heating/air-conditioning/humidification system that
mimics “Manufacturer” specified temperature and humidity conditions can enable the installation to proceed until a permanent heating/air-
conditioning/humidification system has been installed and is operating.
Sub-floor: The sub-floor MUST be free from paint, oil, grease, dust, drywall mud, sealers, release agents and all other types of residues/contaminates.
Crawl Space: The soil within the crawl space MUST be covered with “black” 6-mil polyethylene sheeting overlapping the seams a minimum of 12”
followed by taping the seams the entire length of the over-laps with 3’ wide clear packing tape. Make sure to run the poly sheeting up the stem wall 4 to
6” but DO NOT tape, as this will allow for “controlled” evacuation of gaseous water vapors into the crawl space atmosphere, which in turn should be
carried out through the venting system. Per industry standards in order to foster proper airflow there MUST be at least 1 ½ vents for every 100 sq. ft. of
crawl space area. The distances between the surface of the soil and the bottom of the sub floor should/must have a clearance of 18 to 24 inches. It is
the installer’s responsibility to determine (prior to installing the flooring) that the perimeter of the crawl space contains the correct amount
of vents for the size of the crawl space and that no vents have been blocked i.e. by masonry concrete patios, etc. Local building codes may
differ. Follow local building codes. See Figure 1-1. NOTE: It is not uncommon to have as much as 14 to 17 gallons of water emitting from the soil in
a 24-hour period, over 1000 sq. ft. of crawl space. Moisture related failures resulting from not covering the crawl space soil with 6-mil poly sheeting will
not be warranted by Manufacturer.
Moisture Emission: Per Manufacturer/NWFA recommendations/requirements, it is generally recognized when installing engineered wood flooring
directly to the surface of a concrete slab (without the use of an industry/manufacturer approved vapor retarding system), the maximum “allowable”
moisture emission rate (passing through the surface of the slab) as expressed by the Calcium Chloride test is 3.0 pounds per 1,000 sq. ft. per 24 hours
before, during and after installation for the life of the floor.
SUB-FLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete Slab: The concrete sub floor must be dry. Newly poured Concrete slabs will require a minimum 120 to 210 day drying period depending
on the size and depth of the slab and weather conditions. Please follow ASTM standard F-1869-4, which is the specific preparation/application
instruction for calcium chloride testing.