Installation Guide

Grade Levels
On Grade
Above Grade
HOMEDEPOT.COM/HOMEDECORATORS
Please contact 1-800-986-3460 for further assistance.
Installation Methods
Nail/Cleat
Full Spread Glue
Covers 24.14 sq. ft.
Installation Instructions
Solid Bamboo Flooring
For assistance, call: 1-800-986-3460
Homedepot.com/homedecorators
Nail Down Installation
1 ESTABLISHING A STARTING LINE
a. Lay out the direction of the oor. Install ooring perpendicular to joists. If it is to be in parallel to the joist,
reinforce the suboor with a layer of 1/2 in. CDX ply.
b. Select a straight starter wall.
c. Mark the starting line using a chalk line or a string between two nails. This distance between the wall and
the line should equal the face width of oor plank plus 1 in. (3/4 in. expansion gap plus 1/4 in. standard
tongue width = 1 in.). Do not include the width of the tongue. This will result in a 3/4 in. expansion gap
between the ooring and the wall.
2 INSTALLING THE FIRST AND SECOND ROWS
a. Lay the rst plank behind the line with the tongue facing the center or the room. Position the edge of the
tongue on the line. Leave a 3/4 in. gap between the ooring end and the wall.
b. On the groove side, pre-drill and face nail.
c. On the tongue side, pre-drill at a 45° angle and hand blind the nail through the nailing “pocket” on top of
the tongue.
d. Counter sink the nails with nail set. Repeat the same method to complete the rst row.
e. On the second row, if you can safely use your power nailer, use it. If not, pre-drill the tongue at a 45° angle
and repeat hand blind nailing with nish nails as above. Remember to stagger the end joints.
2A
CHALK OR STRING LINE
2B
2C 2D
3 INSTALLING THE REMAINING ROWS
a. If the pneumatic or power nailer cannot be used on the next row, repeat the second row installation
method until the power nailer can be used.
b. When the pneumatic nailer can be used, blind nail the rows on the tongue side. Place nails at the same
intervals as the previous rows.
c. Maintain a minimum 6 in. end joints stagger between rows.
4 INSTALLING THE LAST ROW
a. Use the pull bar to draw the last row to t tightly to the previous row.
b. Face-nail the last row on the tongue side.
c. If the last row is less than 1 in. wide, it should rst be glued to the previous uninstalled row and the two
joined unit should be face nailed as one.
Glue Down Installation
IMPORTANT: ANY EXCESS GLUE WHICH GETS ONTO THE SURFACE OF THE FLOOR MUST BE REMOVED IMMEDIATELY WITH ADHESIVE REMOVER.
1 ESTABLISHING A STARTING LINE AND SPREADING GLUE 2 INSTALLING THE STARTER ROWS (FIRST TWO ROWS)
a. Establish a starting line by referring to Step 1 in
the Nail Down Installation section above.
b. Spread the glue from the straight edge or chalk
line out, in the direction of the starting wall.
Spread only enough glue to install what can be set
within 45 minutes (15 minutes of OPEN TIME and
an additional 30 minutes for actual installation.
Usually about two rows width coverage). Different
manufacturers may require different open times
and set times.
c. Repeat step b with each succeeding row.
a. Installation begins from the straight edge with
the tongue facing away from the wall. Allow an
expansion gap between the wall and the end
of the board.
b. Install the second starter row. Use a 75 pound
roller or weigh them down while the glue sets.
Allow the glue to set and remove the straight
edge.
2A
2C 2D
2
3 INSTALLING THE REMAINING ROWS
3A
3D
3G 3H 3I
3E
3F
3B 3C
a. Spread another section of glue. Never spread more that can be covered before the adhesive is set. If
adhesive is set and will not transfer to the back of the plank, scrape off the adhesive and apply fresh
adhesive.
b. Continue to install the next rows. Make sure there is a random staggering at the end joints of at least 6
in. apart.
c. Be attentive to staggering the ends of the boards correctly in adjacent rows to avoid clustering end joints.
d. Ensure that a 3/4 in. expansion gap is maintained around the perimeter of the room.
e. Make sure that there is 100% adhesive contact between the underside of the planks and suboor.
f. Any excess glue which seeps onto the surface of the oor must be removed immediately with adhesive
remover.
g. The glue should not be applied in the groove or the tongue of the ooring.
h. Tap the planks together until the tongue and groove are fully engaged. Be careful NOT to damage the face
of the planks.
i. Use a clean, smooth, 75 pound roller to roll the ooring immediately after installation and after every 150
sq. ft. interval during the installation to ensure proper adhesive transfer.
j. The ooring should be taped together during installation using painters tape to keep the planks from
moving during installation. The tape must be left in place for a minimum of 24 hours. Flooring straps can
be used to pull boards together and hold them in place while the glue dries.
k. After the installation is completed, keep the oor free from foot trafc for a minimum of 24 hours to allow
adhesive to properly set.
Completing the Installation
□ Clean the oor.
□ Use matching putty where necessary.
□ Install or reinstall all wall trim pieces. Nail them through the wall, but not to the suboor to avoid restricting the expansion gap.
□ Install transition trim pieces. Nail them to the suboor, not the ooring.
□ At doorways, transitions should be used to protect the edges of the oor and to provide a decorative transition from one oor type to another.
□ If the oor is to be covered, use a breathable material such as cardboard. Do not cover with plastic.
Accessories
Pictures are for general illustrative purposes only. Actual products may differ from picture.
T-Molding: Used to create a transition between oor coverings of
similar heights or to cover an expansion gap.
T-MOULDING
FLOORING
FLOORING
Stair Nose: Used in conjunction with ooring installed on stair steps or
nished edges of a higher level oor like in a sunken living room.
FLOORING STAIR NOSE
RISER
STAIR TREAD
Carpet Reducer (also called Baby Threshold or End Cap):
Used to transition oor coverings of differing heights. This reducer strip
is also commonly used to border a replace, sliding glass door and other
exterior door jambs.
CARPET REDUCER
FLOORING
CARPET
Hard Surface Reducer: Used to transition to another hard surface
ooring of different heights such as tile, vinyl, or concrete.
HARD SURFACE
REDUCER
RESILIENT
FLOOR
FLOORING
Wall Base: Used to give a nished look at the base of the walls. It can
be used with or without Quarter Round.
FLOORING
WALL BASE
WALL
Quarter Round: Used to cover the expansion space between the wall
base and your ooring. It can also be used to make smooth transitions
between the oor and cabinetry. It can be used with or without wall
base molding.
FLOORING
QUARTER ROUND
WALL
Care and Maintenance
DAILY MAINTENANCE
□ Sweep, dust, mop, or vacuum your oor regularly to remove any particles that could cause abrasion or scratch your oor.
CAUTION: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage a oor and should never be used.
□ Use a damp mop to remove spots and soil. Apply appropriate cleaning solution to the cleaning cloth / mop. Do NOT apply directly to the oor.
□ For lightly soiled area, clean with distilled water.
□ For moderately soiled areas, use a mild solution of isopropyl (rubbing) alcohol and distilled water. Dilute the mixture by mixing one part alcohol and 2 parts distilled water. For tougher spots, use a higher concentration of
isopropyl alcohol and distilled water. For extreme cases, a solution of nail polish remover (acetone) and distilled water can be used.
□ HINT: For best results, clean the oor in the same direction of the planks. When the cleaning cloth/mop becomes soiled, rinse or replace it with a clean one. Following up with a clean, dry cloth will remove residual streak marks
and spots.
□ Do NOT leave any amount of liquids (water, juice, soft drinks, spills, etc.) on the oor. Clean any wet spots immediately.
□ Do NOT use a steam cleaner.
□ Do NOT use a wet mop or douse the oor with water or liquid cleaners. Liquid can seep between the cracks and cause moisture damage.
□ Do NOT use any cleaning agents containing wax, oil or polish. Left over residue will form a dull lm.
□ Do NOT use steel wool or scouring powder which will scratch the oor.
BRANDED OR OFF-THE-SHELF FLOOR CARE PRODUCTS
If none of the above are effective and you choose to use a store bought product, test the product in a non-conspicuous area (i.e., closet, corner, or scrap pieces) for potential adverse side effects.
PREVENTATIVE MAINTENANCE
□ Protect your oor when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Protective sheets and/or plywood may be needed. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the oor.
□ Place protective pads beneath furniture legs and other heavy objects.
□ Avoid excessive exposure to water from being tracked in during periods of inclement weather.
□ Minimize abrasive material and dirt by placing mats on both sides of exterior doors and by using area rugs in high-trafc areas
□ Rearrange furniture and rugs periodically to avoid uneven color and shade changes from light exposure.
□ Use protective mats beneath rolling chairs and keep furniture casters clean.
□ Keep pets’ nails trimmed.
□ Remove shoes with cleats, spikes or exceptionally pointy heels before walking on the oor.
CLIMATE MAINTENANCE
□ Care should be taken to control humidity levels within the 35% - 55% range. Flooring, especially hardwood and bamboo, dimensions will be affected by varying levels of humidity.
□ Dry Climates: A humidier is recommended to maintain humidity levels. Wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions during the winter months this also will cause shrinkage in ooring.
□ Humid, Wet Climates: By using an air conditioner, heater, or dehumidier proper humidity levels can be maintained to prevent excessive expansion due to high moisture content.
FLOOR REPAIR
□ Very light and small surface scratches can be repaired with a staining “touch up” pen of the appropriate color.
□ Slightly deeper scratches can be repaired by means of colored putty and or stains. Fill the scratches with the putty. Level with putty knife. Wipe off excess putty.
□ Very deep scratches may require the replacement of the planks.
Warranty
30-Year Residential
655 568
Model# HL618S
Product Description
Solid; Tongue and Groove
café nish