Installation Guide

ManualsBrandsNovalis ManualsVCT TileSS2921

INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOVALIS FULL COMMERCIAL VINYL TILES and PLANKS

1. PRODUCT HANDLING AND SITE CONDITIONS

1.1 Store cartons of tile flat with cartons stacked one on top of the other. Do not store on end or allow

cartons to bend during storage or transportation.

1.2 Acclimate product to job site conditions by delivering all materials (including adhesive and

maintenance products) to the job site at least 2 days (48 hours) before installing. Store at of 60° to 80°

Fahrenheit for 48 hours before installing.

1.3 The space where flooring is to be installed shall be fully enclosed and the permanent HVAC system

shall be operational prior to installing. The temperature shall be between 60° and 80° Fahrenheit for 48

hours before installing, while installing and for 48 hours after installing the floor coverings. The

temperature shall be maintained at a minimum of 50° Fahrenheit thereafter.

1.4 To prevent damage to the newly installed flooring, the installation of flooring products shall begin after

all other trades have completed their work. Keep traffic off of floor for 12 hours before installation of

flooring begins.

1.5To prevent adhesion problems, Floors to receive resilient flooring shall be permanently dry, clean,

smooth, and structurally sound. They shall be free of dust, solvent, paint, wax, oil, grease, residual

adhesive, adhesive removers, curing, sealing, hardening, or parting compounds, alkaline salts, excessive

carbonation or laitance, mold, mildew, and other foreign materials that might prevent adhesive bond.

2. SUBSTRATE PREPARATION AND TESTING

2.1 Concrete slab construction: Concrete moisture problems are a major cause of floor covering failures.

Refer to industry standards for specifications related to concrete mix design, curing methods and drying

times to prevent such problems.

2.1.1 On grade or below grade slabs: ACI 302 (American Concrete Institute) and ASTM specify the

use of a vapor retarder directly beneath concrete slabs in contact with the ground. Every concrete floor

slab on- or below-grade to receive resilient flooring should have a moisture retarder (often improperly

called a vapor barrier) installed directly below the slab.

2.1.2 Above Grade Slabs: It is often assumed that above grade slabs (also known as suspended

slabs) are less prone to moisture problems than slabs on or below grade. However, these slabs may

take much longer to dry. Floors containing lightweight aggregate or excess water,and those which are

allowed to dry from only one side, such as concrete on metal deck construction, may need a much

longer drying time and should not be covered with resilient flooring unless the moisture vapor emission

rate meets the manufacturer's installation specifications

2.1.3 Curing and drying: New concrete slabs shall be properly cured and dried before installation of

resilient flooring. Drying time, before slabs are ready for moisture testing, will vary depending on

atmospheric conditions and mix design

. The use of membrane forming curing compounds may slow

the drying process and can also hinder adhesive bond. If curing compounds are used they shall be

removed as soon as possible after the initial cure of the concrete is complete so that the concrete can

begin to dry. The cover cure method is an alternative that can speed the drying process.

2.2 Concrete testing:

2.2.1 To detect concrete moisture problems before installing flooring, moisture testing is mandatory.

All concrete slabs shall be tested for moisture regardless of age or grade level

. Tests shall be

conducted using ASTM test method F 1869 (Calcium Chloride Test.) If Moisture Vapor Emission Rate

(MVER) exceeds 3.5 lb/1000 sq. feet/24 hours the floor covering shall not be installed until the

concrete is sufficiently dry or until corrective measures are taken.

2.2.2 When conducting calcium chloride test it is imperative to follow the exact methodology of ASTM

F 1869, especially with regard to building conditions, number of tests, cleaning the slab and waiting 24

hours after cleaning before placing the test kits.

ASTM F 710 Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring.

Summary of content (4 pages)

PAGE 1
INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOVALIS FULL COMMERCIAL VINYL TILES and PLANKS 1. PRODUCT HANDLING AND SITE CONDITIONS 1.1 Store cartons of tile flat with cartons stacked one on top of the other. Do not store on end or allow cartons to bend during storage or transportation. 1.2 Acclimate product to job site conditions by delivering all materials (including adhesive and maintenance products) to the job site at least 2 days (48 hours) before installing.
PAGE 2
.2.2.1 Temperature: Testing shall only be done when the test site is at the same temperature and humidity expected during normal use. If this is not possible then the temperature should 2 be 65-85 degrees Fahrenheit and 45%-55% relative humidity . 2.2.2.2 Number of Tests: Three test locations for areas up to 1000 square feet…one additional 2 test for each 1000 square feet or fraction thereof . 2.2.2.3 Cleaning the floor: The actual test area shall be clean and free of all foreign substances.
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- Other uneven or unstable substrates. 2.4.4 Unacceptable substrates shall be covered using a 1/4-inch or thicker panel underlayment recommended commercial use. Consult underlayment manufacturer for recommended uses, warranty, joint spacing, nailing or stapling pattern and seam treatment for underlayment panels. Suggested underlayments include Artic Birch (also known as Baltic Birch) A/C grade plywood with one side finished or other underlayment grade plywood. Do not use lauan. 2.
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3.1.3 Lay out the job and snap lines as you would for any other floor tile installation. Dry lay a section of floor to be sure pattern is centered in the room, and to be sure the pattern is agreeable to the customer before spreading adhesive. Border cuts should not be less than six inches for square tile products. Planks should not be cut less than 9 inches long, or less than half the width of the plank. Avoid small pieces in border areas, and adjust the lines as needed to achieve the proper pattern. 3.1.