Installation Instructions

Performance Core Engineered Hardwood Flooring T&G Installation Instructions
Glue Down, Staple Down, or Floating Installation
Performance 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 at
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
0
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
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Performance Core T&G Installation Instructions 071015