Installation Guide

2 HOMEDEPOT.COM/LIFEPROOF
June 1, 2020 Please contact 1-866-843-8453 for further assistance.
PRE-INSTALLATION BASICS
Please contact our Customer Service Department at [phone] if
you have any questions or concerns regarding the installation and/or
care & maintenance of LifeProof
™
ooring, so as to ensure that you do not
engage in any actions that might void the LifeProof
™
Limited Warranty.
The installation of LifeProof
™
vinyl plank ooring does not generally
require acclimation in residential or light commercial applications if the
product is stored properly. If the product is subject to extreme hot or cold
temperatures prior to installation, allow the product to acclimate to room
temperature. For full commercial applications, acclimate product for 48
hours prior to installation. The room of installation must be between 50°F
& 100°F (10°C & 38°C). The HVAC system must be on and functional
before, during and after installation.
Product should be stored horizontally in a dry area away from direct
sunlight. Do not leave next to heating or cooling ducts. All work involving
water must be completed well in advance of the installation of LifeProof
™
.
Do not store ooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For
example, garages and exterior patios are not acceptable areas to store
ooring. Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be elevated at least 4"
(10.2cm) to allow air circulation under cartons. Ensure that all trades have
been completed, including; drywall, plasterwork, plumbing, painting, etc.
Minor shade variations within the same run number and/or between
run numbers contribute to the natural look of LifeProof
™
. To minimize
noticeable shade variation, randomly pull planks from three different
cartons to ensure good color and shade mixture. If you have multiple run
numbers, ensure the mixture captures planks from across run numbers.
Carefully inspect each plank for visual defects prior to installation. Do
not install damaged planks The run number is the eight-digit number
separated by decimal points beginning with the two-digit day, then the
two-digit month, and nally the four-digit year.
Run Number
10.05.2017
Day.Month.Year
Safety and Health Precautions
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance with
manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe
and improper use can cause serious injuries. Avoid inhalation and
exposure to airborne particles by wearing personal protective equipment,
including: NIOSH or OSHA approved dust masks, safety goggles and
work gloves.
JOB SITE EVALUATION
Prior to installation, the homeowner or installer must ensure that job
site conditions (including suboor/substrate, ambient temperature and
relative humidity) will not negatively affect the oor. The manufacturer
is not responsible for damages associated with improper installation or
poor site conditions.
Moisture
Test all concrete suboors for moisture content and document the
results. Visual checks are not reliable. Moisture must still be checked
even though LifeProof
™
vinyl plank ooring is waterproof in order to
protect surrounding structure.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls
containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the room.
Moisture requirements vary by suboor; please see the following details
that correspond to the appropriate suboor.
Crawl Spaces
Concrete slab or ground must be dry. Ensure that crawl spaces have
open vents year-round to ensure proper air circulation and prevent
moisture build-up. The ground in the crawl spaces must be completely
covered using 6 mil polyethylene. Crawl space clearance between the
earth and underside of joists should be no less than 18" (45.7cm) and the
perimeter vent area should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage
of the crawl space or as mandated by code.
APPROVED SUBFLOORS
Concrete, Plywood, OSB, Particleboard, Chipboard, Hardwood (Solid,
Engineered, Parquet), Tile (Ceramic, Terrazzo, Stone, Asbestos, Peel and
Stick), Non-Cushion Sheet Vinyl, Metal, VCT, DRIcore
All subfloor requirements noted below must be met prior to the installation
of LifeProof
™
vinyl plank flooring.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS (ALL SUBFLOORS)
• Must be level to within ¼" in a 10ft. (6mm in a 3m) span; no bumps
or low spots. Suboors should not slope more than 1" per 6ft. (25mm
per 1.8m).
• Must be clean: no construction debris, soil, mud or any other objects
on or adhering to the oor; if necessary, scrape and sweep away
before the installation; no protrusions of nails, debris, or metals
should remain.
• Must be free from moisture-related conditions that can damage the
installed ooring.
• Be structurally sound without deection.
CONCRETE SUBFLOORS
• High spots can be removed by grinding; depressions can be lled
with patching compound formulated for use in oor installation.
• Cure for at least 90 days (applies to newly-laid concrete slabs).
• Can be either sealed or unsealed.
• Between 7 and 9 alkalinity when performing pH test (ASTM F710).
• Moisture content should meet one of the following criteria:
• 4% max. when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
• Less than 8 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours MVER (Moisture
Vapor Emission Rating) when using Calcium Chloride test (ASTM
F1869).
• 85% max. when performing Relative Humidity Testing (ASTM
F2170).
WOOD (PLYWOOD, OSB, PARTICLEBOARD, CHIPBOARD,
SOLID HARDWOOD, LUAN) SUBFLOORS
• Wood suboors must be A.P.A approved with a minimum grade of
“BB” or “CC”. For reference, A.P.A. is the acronym for an organization
originally known as the “American Plywood Association”, and that is
now known as “The Engineered Wood Association”.
• Perform moisture tests using a reliable moisture meter in multiple
locations. Moisture readings should never exceed 14% for plywood,
OSB, particleboard, chipboard, and solid hardwood suboors. If
moisture readings exceed 14%, it should be corrected at the job site
before installing LifeProof™ vinyl plank ooring.
TILE, TERRAZZO, ASBESTOS TILE, RESILIENT TILE, NON-
CUSHION SHEET VINYL, AND METAL SUBFLOORS
• Existing oors must be rmly attached to the structural oor.
• Fill in grout lines larger than ¼" (6mm) on ceramic tiles, terrazzo,
quarry tiles, and similar oors with a cementitous leveling and
patching compound.
• Install over one layer of vinyl only.
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
/ Below Grade
Installation Method
Floating - Drop and Lock
Installation Video available on YouTube
Product Description
Plank and Tile