Installation Guide

EARTHWERKS SPC FLOATING PLANK FLOOR
INSTALLATION AND MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES
A product of Swiff-Train Company ▪ 10850 Train Court, Houston TX 77095 ▪ 800-275-7943
J a n u a r y 2018 1 | P a g e
ALWAYS CHECK www.earthwerks.com FOR THE LATEST INSTALLATION, WARRANTY AND MAINTENANCE
INSTRUCTIONS. IT IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE INSTALLER TO ENSURE THAT THE MOST CURRENT
DOCUMENTS ARE USED DURING INSTALLATION OF EARTHWERKS® FLOORING PRODUCTS.
These installation specifications are for SPC (Solid Polymer Core) Rigid Vinyl Plank, Noble Classic Plus and
Noble Classic Plus XL. All recommendations are based on the most recent information available. The
information on this sheet provides general guidelines. All instructions and recommendations must be followed
for a satisfactory installation.
General Guidelines
1. The space where flooring is to be installed shall be fully enclosed and the permanent HVAC system shall be
operational at 55° - 80° Fahrenheit (18 to 26 Celsius) for 10 days before installation, during installation
and for 10 days after installation. Avoid dramatic and large temperature increases No acclimation is
required if not exposed to extreme temperatures in the 12 hours before installation (under 40°F or over
100°F).
2. EarthWerks® SPC can be installed in areas that do not have permanent working heating and cooling systems,
such as three season spaces, lake houses, unheated cabins, etc., but the temperature must be controlled as
described above during installation process.
3. EarthWerks recommends storing of the SPC floating product, preparation materials and accessories onsite
prior to installation to ensure the products are at equilibrium with the installation environment.
4. Install Click Rigid Vinyl Plank only after the jobsite has been cleaned and cleared of other trade apparatus
that may damage a finished plank installation.
5. To minimize shade variation, mix and install planks from several different cartons.
6. EarthWerks floating floors should be protected from direct sunlight and not exposed to direct sunlight for
extended periods of time by use of blinds, drapes or suitable window coverings or be in use in areas of large
amounts of direct sunlight exposure.
7. All doorjambs must be undercut to allow for proper expansion of the product and a minimum of 1/2gap
shall be allowed for against any vertical surface or obstruction. Steel doorjambs should be patterned scribed
with the 1/2” expansion spacing taken into consideration when scribing. Use of color coordinated silicone
should be used against the jamb to fill the expansion spacing and aesthetically complete the installation.
8. Do not use tapping blocks, adjustable spacers (screw type) or other tools common to hardwood and
laminate flooring installation to prevent damage to the locking mechanism. A rubber mallet should be used
to tap in each plank in order to fully engage the end joints.
9. EarthWerks SPC flooring is designed to be installed as a “floating” floor. Do not secure individual planks or
tiles to the subfloor with mechanical fasteners or adhesives. Do not install cabinets, kitchen islands or
other non-movable objects on top of or through EarthWerks floating floors.
10. Use of a small, soft bristle brush to clean the joints prior to locking will ensure that there is no debris which
will cause stressing or failure of the joint after interlocking the pieces together.
11. Use care when installing wall moldings and transition strips to not fasten through EarthWerks floating
flooring planks or tiles. A spacing of .010” (.254mm) shall be kept above the floor when installing moldings
over the surface of the floor.
12. SPC planks and tiles are best cut in the following ways: guillotine-type hardwood/laminate cutter; a VCT
cutter (professional grade); a sabre saw with a fine-tooth wood cutting blade; a 12” power miter saw with
a shallow or negative kerf blade, similar or equal to a plastics cutting blade. If you are scoring and snapping
SPC product by use of a utility knife, please note it will be necessary to score the LVT layer multiple times to

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