Installation & Assembly

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Multi-Layered Core Engineered Hardwood Flooring T&G Installation Instructions

Glue Down, Staple Down, or Floating Installation

Multi-Layered Core Engineered Hardwood Flooring can be installed over most properly prepared sub-floors and are engineered to be dimensionally stable,

making them suitable for installation on all grade levels where excessive moisture conditions do not exist. We continuously make technological advancements

that improve product performance or installation techniques and methods. To confirm you have the most recent installation instructions, please visit our website

www.mohawkflooring.com or contact Technical Services at 888-387-9881, Option 3

Caution: Wood Dust

Cutting, sanding or machining wood products produces wood dust. While

wood

products are not hazardous under the OSHA Hazard Communication

Standard (29 CFR 1910.1200), the International Agency for Research on

Cancer (IARC) and the State of California have classified wood dust as a

human carcinogen.

Precautionary Measures: Airborne wood dust can cause respiratory, skin and

eye irritation. Power tools should be equipped with a dust collector. Use an

appropriate NIOSH-designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with skin and eyes.

First Aid Measures in case of irritations: In case of irritation flush eyes with

water. If needed seek medical attention. If dermatitis occurs, seek medical

attention.

To request a Safety Data Sheets, call 888-387-9881, Option 3

PROPOSITION 65 WARNING: This product contains chemicals known to the

state of California to cause cancer and/or reproductive harm.

WARNING! DO NOT MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT

FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR

OTHER ADHESIVES.

Previously installed resilient floor covering products and the asphaltic or cutback

adhesives used to install them may contain either asbestos fibers and/or

crystalline silica. The products in this carton DO NOT contain asbestos or crystalline

silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of asbestos or crystalline dust is a cancer and respiratory

tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of

serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the product is a non-asbestos containing

material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be

tested to determine asbestos content and may govern the removal and disposal of material.

See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication “Recommended

Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings” for detailed information and

instructions on removing all resilient covering structures.

IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY: These building

materials emit formaldehyde. Eye, nose, and throat irritation, headache. Nausea and a variety

of asthma-like symptoms, including shortness of breath, have been reported as a result of

formaldehyde exposure. Elderly persons and young children, as well as anyone with a history

of asthma, allergies, or lung problems, may be at greater risk. Research is continuing on the

possible long- term effects of exposure to formaldehyde. Reduced ventilation may allow

formaldehyde and other contaminants to accumulate in the indoor air. High indoor

temperatures and humidity raise formaldehyde levels. When a home is to be located in areas

subject to extreme summer temperatures, an air-conditioning system can be used to control

indoor temperature levels. Other means of controlled mechanical ventilation can be used to

reduce levels of formaldehyde and other indoor air contaminants. If you have any questions

regarding the health effects of formaldehyde, consult your doctor or call your local health

department.

INSTALLER / OWNER RESPONSIBILITY:

It is the responsibility of the installer and owner to ensure that job site environmental,

sub-floor and subsurface conditions involved meet or exceed all requirements as

outlined in installation instructions prior to installation. Manufacturer declines all

responsibility for product performance or installation failure due to sub-floor, substrate

or environmental deficiencies or jobsite conditions.

Manufacturer requires Engineered Hardwood products to be acclimated prior to

installation. Acclimation allows flooring to achieve equilibrium moisture content (EMC)

with the installation environment. All wood continually expands and contracts until it

reaches moisture equilibrium with the environment in which it’s installed. As with all

wood flooring, expansion and contraction will be minimized if the interior relative

humidity is consistently maintained year round. Humidification and/or dehumidification

systems may be necessary to maintain your home environment to prescribed relative

humidity conditions.

The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for final inspection of product quality.

Examine flooring for color, finish, and style PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. If material is

unacceptable, contact the seller immediately. Wood is a natural product and contains

characteristics such as variations in color, tone and graining. Flooring is manufactured

in accordance with industry standards, which allows manufacturing and natural

deficiency tolerances up to 5% of the total installation. Installer should work from

minimum of 3 cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade blend. The

installer must use reasonable selectivity and hold out or cut off piece with deficiencies.

Do not install undesirable pieces. Flooring warranties DO NOT cover materials with

visible defects once they are installed. Installation is acceptance of product quality.

All work involving water or moisture (plumbing, masonry, painting, plastering) must be

completed prior to flooring being delivered. Building envelope must be complete and

exterior doors and windows installed. Exterior grading and gutter downspouts should

be completed and permanent HVAC systems in operation.

Precautions should be taken to protect floors from other trade work. Do not cover

floors with plastic, red rosin, felt or wax paper or previously used cardboard.

Instead use a breathable material such as clean, dry, plain uncoated cardboard

or Kraft paper. Inks from printed cardboard could damage the hardwood floor.

The floor should be thoroughly cleaned before covering to remove grit and debris that

would damage the finish. The floor must be completely covered to eliminate uneven

ambering from exposure to UV light.

Room temperature should be 60-80

F, with relative humidity between 35-55%. These

environmental conditions are specified as pre-installation requirements and must be

maintained for the life of the product. The HVAC system must be in operation for a

minimum of 14 days prior to performing moisture tests or installation.

Building interiors are affected by two distinct humidity seasons – Heating and Non-

Heating. Care should be taken to maintain humidity levels between 35-55% year

round.

Heating season – Low Humidity, Dry. All heating methods create dry, low humidity

conditions. Humidifiers are recommended to prevent excessive shrinkage or gapping

in wood floors due to seasonal periods of low humidity.

Non-Heating Season and Coastal or Waterfront Areas – High Humidity, Wet During the

non-heating season proper humidity levels should be maintained by using an air conditioner or

dehumidifier.

Manufacturer warranties do not cover natural expansion and contraction which

results in separation between planks, or damage caused by excessively low or

high humidity. Seasonal gapping is not considered a manufacturing defect.

Do not install this product in full bathrooms

Purchase an additional 5% of flooring to allow for cuts and additional 10% if installing

diagonally

WARRANTY NOTE: Installer should provide owner with one carton end label from

product installed along with the pre-installation moisture content readings for

warranty purposes. Owner should retain carton end label and copy of invoice with

product style name and style number for their records. Owner should retain

excess flooring and store in a climate controlled area for future repairs in the

event flooring is damaged.

The use of stain, filler or putty for correction is considered a normal practice and a

routine part of installation.

Basic Tools Needed:

Safety Glasses NIOSH approved Dust Mask

Wood/Concrete Moisture Meter both Broom or Vacuum

Chalk Line Starting Row Wedges

Tapping Block Pry Bar or Trim Puller

Tape Measure Pencil

Jamb Saw Miter Saw

Table Saw Utility knife

Appropriate Adhesive Trowel Low Adhesion Painter Tape

Coordinating stain, filler, or putty Plastic Scraper

Mineral Spirits (odorless) Terry Towels

Thick Felt Protectors Pull Bar

Putty Knife Carpenters Square

Accessories Needed:

15 lb. felt or rosin paper Performance Accessories Underlayment Flooring Adhesive

Coordinating Transition Strips or Molding Mohawk Floor Care Essentials Hardwood

& Laminate Floor Cleaner

Direct Glue Installation. Use Performance Accessories Adhesives and Sealers or

products that meet or exceed manufacturer’s adhesive and sealer specifications as

specified in Adhesive Selection section below. Refer to container labels for specifics on

trowel size, etc.

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Generic Multi-Layered T&G Installation Instructions 071315

Summary of content (6 pages)

PAGE 1
Multi-Layered Core Engineered Hardwood Flooring T&G Installation Instructions Glue Down, Staple Down, or Floating Installation Multi-Layered Core Engineered Hardwood Flooring can be installed over most properly prepared sub-floors and are engineered to be dimensionally stable, making them suitable for installation on all grade levels where excessive moisture conditions do not exist. We continuously make technological advancements that improve product performance or installation techniques and methods.
PAGE 2
PRE-INSTALLATION & JOB SITE CONDITIONS ACCLIMATION Do not deliver wood flooring to the jobsite or install wood flooring until appropriate temperature and humidity conditions have been achieved. Flooring should be delivered and stored inside the HVAC controlled portion of the jobsite for a minimum of 72 hours prior to installation to allow for the product to acclimate. Flooring should be stacked with at least a four inch (4”) airspace under the cartons.
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Do not use area rugs on top of engineered flooring installed over radiant heat systems. Area rugs trap heat creating elevated temperatures capable of damaging engineered flooring. Concrete Sub-floor Lightweight concrete Performance Core Engineered wood flooring is not recommended over lightweight concrete subfloors. To test for lightweight or acoustical concrete, scrape a coin or key across the surface of the sub-floor.
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TYPICAL TROWEL AND APPROXIMATE COVERAGE* 3/16” x 1/4” x ½” V-notch trowel: 50 to 65 square ft. per gallon. *Coverage is based on application to a clean, smooth concrete substrate; therefore, application rate may vary depending on substrate conditions NOTE: Do not apply over self-stick tile, sheet vinyl, old adhesives, metal, linoleum, laminate, particleboard or strip wood sub-floors without first covering with an approved wood or wood composite underlayment.
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Staple Down Instructions- Tongue & Groove Note: Engineered wood flooring products that are 5/16” thick are not approved for staple or nail down installation. The recommended method of installation is direct glue down only. Multi-ply Tongue and Groove Engineered hardwood floors may be installed over wood sub-floors (with the exception of Luan, Parquet or Masonite) using staples or cleats.
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• MAINTENANCE Engineered Hardwood Floors are very easily maintained. No wax, no mess. The best way to care for your new floor is to schedule routine maintenance which includes sweeping the entire floor at least once a week to remove dirt and debris that may scratch the floor. High traffic areas such as entrances, doorways, and traffic lanes will require cleaning more frequently depending upon of the amount of concentrated foot traffic.