Installation Guide

Row 3 and remaining rows: Move rows if necessary to ensure that you are not showing any undesirable joint patterns. The rest of the row’s end joints should
be random throughout the floor. Your first three rows are staggered, ensuring that offset of previous row with end joints are no closer than 6”, or longer for wider
width products, from one another. When the planks are being placed, use a non-random pyramid or stair step pattern to ensure the planks remain engaged
through the force of the tapping. Stretch and stick low adhesion delicate surface painters tape across every 3 to 5 rows of planks approximately 2’ apart from
each other to hold the floor in place until the glue sets. Remove tape within 24 hours.
Glue Clean Up
If any glue squeezes out of the seam between the planks, allow it to dry for 10 to 15 minutes and then lightly scrape it away with a plastic scraper or putty knife.
Any glue left may be cleaned with a damp cloth. Do not allow the glue to dry on the face of the flooring; it will be very difficult to clean off.
Installer’s Responsibility
Warranty for separation of planks and damage caused by the use of incorrect tape or length of time tape remained on the floor is the responsibility of
the installer.
Final Touches
Trim excess underlayment (floating installation only) and install or re-install any transition pieces, reducer strips, T-moldings, thresholds, bases and/or quarter round
moldings. Trims and moldings should be nailed into the wall or subfloor, not the floor. Install the proper trim molding at the doorways to achieve the transition
and along the walls to cover the edges of any gaps along the wall due to irregularity.
Complete the job by using the Instamatch wood filler kit that coordinates with the installed engineered flooring for minor corrections or areas where brad nails
were used in the trim or the flooring. Clean the finished floor with Mohawk Floorcare Essentials Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner.
To prevent surface damage, avoid rolling heavy furniture and appliances on the floor. Use plywood or appliance lifts if necessary. Use protective castors/castor
cups or felt pads on the legs of furniture to prevent damage to the flooring.
IMPORTANT: If the floor is to be covered, the floor should be thoroughly cleaned prior to covering to prevent grit damage to the finish. Do not cover with plastic,
red rosin, felt or wax paper or previously used cardboard. Inks from printed cardboard could damage the hardwood floor. Instead use a breathable material such as
clean, dry, plain uncoated cardboard or Kraft paper.
A common reinforced builder’s paper is a good choice. Any covering should be taped with a low-adhesion tape to base or shoe moldings. Avoid taping to
finished flooring. When taping paper or sheets together, tape them to each other, not to the floor. The floor must be completely covered to eliminate uneven
ambering from exposure to UV light.
Cleaning & 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 areas will require cleaning more frequently, depending upon of the
amount of concentrated foot traffic. Following these easy steps is the key to keeping your new floor looking beautiful for years to come.
Step 1: Routinely sweep your floor with a soft bristle broom or use a vacuum designed for use on hardwood floors.
WARNING: Vacuums with a beater bar or power rotary brush head can damage a wood floor and should never be used.
Step 2: Apply Mohawk Floorcare Essentials Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner to a clean cloth or micro fiber mop; do not spray directly onto the floor. DO
NOT USE CLOTHS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FABRIC SOFTENER IT COULD CAUSE STREAKING. Use a back and forth motion with the mop. When the cloth or
micro fiber cover becomes soiled, simply replace it with a clean one. Cleaning the floor with a soiled cover could cause streaking.
Most micro fiber mop covers are re-usable and can be cleaned using a standard washer and dryer. Refer to the manufactures cleaning instructions when washing
cloth or micro fiber covers. DO NOT USE CLOTHS THAT HAVE BEEN EXPOSED TO FABRIC SOFTENER IT COULD CAUSE STREAKING.
Tips and Warnings
• Sweep regularly with a soft bristle broom.
• Remove spills promptly and use Mohawk Floorcare Essentials Hardwood and Laminate Floor Cleaner
• Use felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture and chairs.
• Use transition mats at all exterior entrances.
• Never use rubber or latex backed rugs on your floor. We recommend the use of Mohawk Home
®
rugs and non-slip rug pads. Rug pads should extend all the
way to the edges of the rug to work properly. any rug pad selected should be soft, non-staining and non-abrasive. Regularly clean under rugs and rug pads.
• Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair or cleated athletic foot wear can severely damage floor.
• Replace hard plastic, metal castors, or wheels on furniture with soft rubber castors or by using a protective mat under the castors.
• Never wet mop or use damp mop methods that allow moisture to puddle on the floor surface.
• Never use steam cleaners on your floor. This will force moisture into the finish and cause damage to your floor.