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,PeelandStick),Non-CushionSheetVinyl,Metal,VCT,DRIcore
AllsuboorrequirementsnotedbelowmustbemetpriortotheinstallationofLifeProofVinylPlank.
Concrete Suboor Prep
• Performmoisturetestsatlocationsaroundexteriordoorways,nearwallscontainingplumbing,nearfoun-
dation walls and in the center of the room.
• Highspotscanberemovedbygrinding;depressionscanbelledwithpatchingcompoundformulatedfor
useinoorinstallation.
• Cureforatleast90days(appliestonewly-laidconcreteslabs).
• Can be either sealed or unsealed.
• Moisturelevelsofconcreteslabsbefore,duringandafterinstallationmustbe≤8lbs/1000ft2/24-hrusing
an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F1869 and pH must be between 5.0 and 9.0; or,
ifusingASTMF2170IN-SituProbes,shouldbelessthan90%RH(relativehumidity).Alwaysmeasure,
record and keep your testing results.
Wood (Plywood, OSB, Particleboard, Chipboard, Solid Hardwood, Luan) Suboors
• WoodsuboorsmustbeA.P.A.approvedwithaminimumgradeof“BB”or“CC”.Forreference,A.P.A.is
theacronymforanorganizationoriginallyknownasthe“AmericanPlywoodAssociation”,andthatisnow
known as “The Engineered Wood Association”.
• Perform moisture tests using a reliable moisture meter in multiple locations. Moisture readings should
neverexceed14%forplywood,OSB,particleboard,chipboardandsolidhardwoodsuboors.Ifmoisture
readingsexceed14%,itshouldbecorrectedatthejobsitebeforeinstallingLifeProofVinylPlank.
Other Suboor Prep
• Adheredandsoundvinylsheetgoods,linoleumandresilient(VCT)tiles:Oldvinylandlinoleumtilesor
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.
• Ceramictilesandterrazzo:Oldatceramictilesnormallydon’tneedtoberemoved.Groutjointswider
than¼"mustbelled.Usually,LifeProofVinylPlankproductscanbeinstalleddirectlyoverceramictiles
andterrazzoprovidingtheyarefullyadhered,smooth,soundanddry.Theseooringmaterialsmustbe
smoothandattowithin1/4"ina10'radiusandmustnotvarymorethan1/16"whenmeasuredwitha3'
straight edge.
• Do not install over more than one layer of vinyl.
Radiant Flooring Heating Prep
• Aftermarketradiantheatedoorsmustbeapprovedbythemanufacturerforusewithresilientooring
applications.Thesuboortemperatureshouldnotexceed85°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
RemovetheoorsnotedaboveandremoveoldadhesivebeforeinstallingLifeProofVinylPlank.