Installation Guide

4
January 1, 2020
Please contact 800-273-1143 for further assistance.
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suboorrequirementsnotedbelowmustbemetpriortotheinstallationofLifeProofVinylPlank.
Concrete Suboor Prep
• Performmoisturetestsatlocationsaroundexteriordoorways,nearwallscontainingplumbing,nearfoun-
dation walls and in the center of the room.
• 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.
• Moisturelevelsofconcreteslabsbefore,duringandafterinstallationmustbe≤8lbs/1000ft2/24-hrusing
an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F1869 and pH must be between 5.0 and 9.0; or,
ifusingASTMF2170IN-SituProbes,shouldbelessthan90%RH(relativehumidity).Alwaysmeasure,
record and keep your testing results.
Wood (Plywood, OSB, Particleboard, Chipboard, Solid Hardwood, Luan) Suboors
• 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.
Other Suboor Prep
• Adheredandsoundvinylsheetgoods,linoleumandresilient(VCT)tiles:Oldvinylandlinoleumtilesor
sheet goods normally do not need to be removed if they are fully bonded and free of any notable damage.
Some older vinyl sheet goods and tile contain asbestos. Should it contain asbestos special precautions
must be taken for your safety. Contact a professional immediately for inspection and removal.
• Ceramictilesandterrazzo:Oldatceramictilesnormallydon’tneedtoberemoved.Groutjointswider
than¼"mustbelled.Usually,LifeProofVinylPlankproductscanbeinstalleddirectlyoverceramictiles
andterrazzoprovidingtheyarefullyadhered,smooth,soundanddry.Theseooringmaterialsmustbe
smoothandattowithin1/4"ina10'radiusandmustnotvarymorethan1/16"whenmeasuredwitha3'
straight edge.
• Do not install over more than one layer of vinyl.
Radiant Flooring Heating Prep
• Aftermarketradiantheatedoorsmustbeapprovedbythemanufacturerforusewithresilientooring
applications.Thesuboortemperatureshouldnotexceed85°F(29°C).
NON-APPROVED SUBFLOORS:
• Carpeting/Carpet Pad
• Cushioned Vinyl Flooring
• Floating Floors
• Laminate
• Parquet Over Concrete
• Cork
• Engineered Hardwood Over Concrete
• Sleeper Substrates
• Hardwood Over Concrete
• Rubber
RemovetheoorsnotedaboveandremoveoldadhesivebeforeinstallingLifeProofVinylPlank.