Installation Guide

Installation Instructions
lifeproof™ Waterproof Rigid Core
Luxury Vinyl Multi-Width Plank Flooring
For Assistance, Call: 1-866-843-8453
www.homedepot.com
Product Description
6.5 mm thick x 4.25 in., 5.59 in., 9.84 in.
(three plank widths) x 47.64 in. long
Rigid Core Vinyl Planks
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation
Method
Floating - Drop
and Lock
2 HOMEDEPOT.COM/LIFEPROOF
Revised 1/16/2017 Please contact 1-866-843-8453 for further assistance.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB) SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry standard
for single-panel subflooring is a minimum 5/8 in. (19/32 in., 15.1 mm)
CD Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (CD Exposure 1) or 23/32 in. OSB
Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets. Expansion gap between panels
should be 1/8 in. (3 mm). If panels are not tongued and grooved and there
is not sufficient spacing or is inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a
circular saw. Do not cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Only for floating installation.
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing floor requires the installer to consider potential issues
related to moisture damage, adhesive failure and fastener failure. Contact
the adhesive and fastener manufacturers respectively for their specific
instructions, recommendations and requirements.
Acceptable floor coverings include: Solid hardwood, linoleum (1 layer only),
terrazzo, ceramic, and stone tile. Tiled floors with grout lines larger than 1/4 in.
will require a cementitious leveling compound to fill any grout lines, voids, or
cracks.
Unacceptable floor coverings include: Carpet (any type), foam underlayment,
cushioned-back vinyl, rubber, cork, laminates, free-floating floors, and wooden
floors over concrete.
JOB SITE CONDITION
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of installation,
the job site conditions including subfloor/substrate, ambient temperature and
relative humidity, and all impacting variables will not negatively affect the
floor. The manufacturer will decline responsibility for damages associated with
improper installation or poor site conditions.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
The installation of lifeproof
™
does not require acclimation. However we
recommend installation in rooms with temperature 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 heat or cooling ducts. Ensure that
all trades have been completed to eliminate dry wall dust, paints, etc. Do not
store flooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For example, garages
and exterior patios are not acceptable areas to store flooring. Flooring stored
on a concrete slab should be elevated at least 4 in. to allow air circulation
under cartons.
EXISTING HOME
An existing home should have a consistent room temperature between 50°F
& 100°F (10°C & 38°C) and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-85%. Continual
deviation from these conditions will affect the dimensions of flooring. When
using a heater during winter months, humidity may be much lower than
the acceptable range. During the warmer months, maintain humidity levels
using an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or by turning on your heating system
periodically.
NEW CONSTRUCTION OR REMODEL
All work involving water, such as pouring basement concrete floors, drywall
and plasterwork, plumbing, etc. must be completed well in advance of the
floor delivery. Ensure that the building is enclosed. Where building codes
allow, permanent heating and/or air conditioning systems should be operating
at least two weeks preceding installation and should be maintained during
and after installation. If it is not possible for the permanent heating and/or
air conditioning system to be operating before, during and after installation,
a temporary heating and/or dehumidification system that simulates normal
living (occupied) conditions can enable the installation to proceed until the
permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is fully operational. Your
job site should have a consistent temperature between 50°F & 100°F (10°C
& 38°C) and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-85% which should be maintained
continuously thereafter.
RECOMMENDED INSTALLATION AREA
Do not install vinyl planks over carpet or any foam underlayment. This product
is not suitable for any outside use, sunrooms/solariums, saunas, seasonal
porches, camping trailers, boats, RV’s or rooms that have a potential of
flooding. Do not install in rooms or homes that are not temperature controlled.
Exposure to long term direct sunlight can cause damage to your floor. Failure
to properly shade or UV tint windows can discolor, fade, or buckle vinyl
planks. Use window treatments or UV tinting on windows. Vinyl planks are
not intended for use on stairs or vertical surfaces. Do not glue, nail, screw or
fasten to substrate. Install cabinetry, island and peninsula counters, vanities,
tubs, and showers first. Then install vinyl planks around them.
BASEMENTS AND 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
black polyethylene. Crawl space clearance between the earth and underside
of joists should be no less than 18 in. 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.
RADIANT HEATED SUBFLOOR
This product can be installed over radiant heat concrete subfloors. The
radiant heating system must be cast 1/2 in. below the surface of the concrete
slab and should be operating at least 2 weeks before installation. Set the
temperature of the radiant heating system to 68°F 48 hours before, during, and
72 hours after installation. You may gradually raise the temperature starting 72
hours after installation. The finished floor surface must not exceed 85°F (29°C)
for the life of the floor. Because radiant heat creates a dry heat that can lower
interior humidity levels, it may be necessary to add a humidifier to maintain
the humidity level between 30-85% to prevent damage to the vinyl floor.
Consult with the radiant heat system manufacturer to ensure that the system
is compatible with vinyl flooring.
MOISTER BARRIER/UNDERLAYMENT PADDING
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR
When installing over a crawl space or concrete slab, it may be necessary
to use a moisture barrier to prevent moisture migration. A plastic film with
a minimum thickness of 6 mil should be placed with a 4 – 6 in. (101.6 –
152 mm) overlapped seam, and taped with a suitable tape. This should be
combined with an approved underlayment padding for floating floors.
SOUND CONTROL UNDERLAYMENT
lifeproof
™
vinyl flooring includes a pre-attached sound-mitigating
underlayment pad. Do not use any additional foam or cushioned underlayment,
it voids the warranty if used.
EXPANSION GAP
A required gap width of 1/4 in. is required around the perimeter of the floor
and between the floor and all vertical obstructions. Do not place permanently
mounted structures such as kitchen counters/cabinets on the installed floor.
TRANSITION MOLDING
For floating installation, transition T-molding is required in the following cases:
floors spanning greater than 30 ft. in width and 50 ft. in length; doorways and
archways less than 4 ft. wide.
TOOLS AND MATERIALS BASICS
Tape measure • Moisture meter (wood, concrete or both) • Utility knife &
straight edge • Measuring tape • Shears for cutting around irregular shaped
objects (pipes) • 6 mm (1/4 in.) spacers • Pencil • Tapping block • Soft faced
hammer • Eye protection • Broom