Warranty

VINYL TILE FLOORING
INSTALLATION, CARE AND MAINTENANCE
WHY TRAFFICMASTER VINYL TILE?
• Easy to clean
• Broad selection of styles and colors
• Durable
• Economical
• Scuff Resistant
• Softer and warmer underfoot than most hard-surface flooring
• Easy installation
INSTALLATION MATERIALS
Tools:
❑ Utility knife
❑ Medium grit sandpaper
❑ Sanding block
❑ Smooth edge trowel
❑ Tape measure
❑ Short nap paint roller
❑ Chalk and chalk line
❑ Rolling pin
❑ Carpenter’s square
❑ Patch & Skim Coat
❑ Underlayment
❑ Latex Primer
❑ New Beginning
®
Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor Stripper
❑ Embossing Leveler
❑ Scissors
❑ Pencil
❑ Paper for tracing
Certain 18 x 18 tiles are groutable. If carton shows tiles are groutable and
you choose to do so, you will also need:
❑ Grout float
❑ Sponge
❑ 1/8˝ spacers
❑ Towels
❑ Bucket of water
ESTIMATING
Measure the length and width of the room. If the room has alcoves and offsets, measure
these separately.
• Find your room size on chart
• Number in square is how many cartons you need
• Charts include at least five percent extra. These extra tiles are needed to allow for
waste and odd room size.
To avoid shade variations check the run numbers on the label that is located on the front
flap of the carton to be sure you get tiles from the same run.
NOTE: TrafficMASTER Vinyl tile flooring is packaged in different quantities.
Be sure you use the correct estimating chart.
PREPARE SUBFLOOR
Step 1. Inspect and prepare subfloor. Subfloor must be clean, dry, and smooth. A subfloor is the surface over which your new TrafficMASTER tile flooring is installed. To be sure the
subfloor is completely clean, we recommend the use of TSP (trisodium phosphate, a cleaning agent available at The Home Depot) to remove any remaining dirt, grease, or other foreign
matter. To ensure safety be sure to follow directions on the container of TSP.
WARRANTY
PLAN THE LAYOUT for indoor use only
CUTTING THE BORDER TILE
FINISH
6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 20'
6' 2 2 3 3 3 4 4 5
8' 2 3 3 4 4 5 5 6
10' 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7
12' 3 4 5 5 6 7 8 9
30 Tile Cartons (12" x 12")
non-groutable
6’ 2"
6’ 31/2"
6’ 31/2"
6’ 2"
"A"
"A"
"B"
First test run
shows less
than 1/2 tile
Shift line 6
PREPARE
FOR
FLOORS
AND STATIONARY
FURNITURE.
POUR PLANCHER
ET
MEUBLE STATIONNAIRE.
PARA PISOS
Y
MUEBLES FIJOS.
Floor Protectors
• Floor protectors evenly
distribute furniture
weight and help prevent
indentations from forming
on your vinyl floor
Once ’n Done
®
Resilient & Ceramic
Cleaner
• No-rinse floor cleaner for
no-wax vinyl, ceramic and
stone floors
New Beginning
®
Resilient Deep
Cleaning Floor
Stripper
• For all no-wax vinyl floors
• Solves tough cleaning
problems
Shinekeeper
®
Resilient High
Gloss Floor Finish
• For all high-gloss vinyl floors
• Restores gloss and shine
to older floors
FLOOR CARE RECOMMENDATIONS
VINYL FLOORING (only single-layer)
Must be noncushion-backed and firmly bonded. Check for loose
vinyl, gapped seams, cuts, tears, rips, or other damage. Loose or
damaged areas should be patched or replaced. Do not install over
tile below grade level. Do not sand existing vinyl floors under any
circumstances.
PLYWOOD
If installing a new plywood subfloor, use APA Underlayment Grade.
For new or existing plywood subfloors, check for loose panels,
gapped joints, knots, nail holes or other damage. Do not use
particleboard. Its use will void the warranty.
CONCRETE/CERAMIC
Must be clean, dry, and dust-free. Check for cracks, scaling,
levelness, and other damage. Tiles can be installed over a painted
concrete floor (self-stick only). Allow newly poured concrete to
cure before installation. If installing over ceramic tile, terrazzo, or
marble, ensure that the tiles are firmly bonded. If the subfloor is on
or below grade check for moisture by taping down a thin plastic
film of 18 x 18˝ and leave for 24 hours. If you notice moisture on
the film, DO NOT INSTALL THE TILE. The subfloor must be treated
for any moisture condition. Check with The Home Depot or contact
Armstrong Flooring Customer Service at 1 800 233 3823.
Use utility knife to
remove loose vinyl.
Use New
Beginning
®
Resilient
Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper to remove
dirt and wax buildup
Use Embossing
Leveler to fill and
level embossing
on your old vinyl
floor
Use Patch & Skim
Coat for patching
or filling textured
surfaces
Use Underlayment
or Patch & Skim
Coat for patching
or leveling
Use smooth edge trowel for
applying Patch & Skim Coat
Use smooth edge trowel for
applying Underlayment or
Patch & Skim Coat
Use smooth edge trowel for
applying Embossing Leveler
Use medium grit sandpaper and a
sanding block for smoothing rough
areas of the underlayment
Use medium grit sandpaper and
a sanding block for smoothing
rough areas of the underlayment
Use medium grit sandpaper
and a sanding block for
smoothing rough areas of the
underlayment
Use Latex Primer
for a superior bond
Use Latex Primer
for a superior bond.
Must be used for
raw concrete floors.
Use short nap paint roller
for applying Latex Primer
Use short nap paint
roller for applying
Latex Primer
Step 2. Find the center
point of each of the end
walls and strike a chalk line
between them marking the
the center of the room.
INSTALL TILE WITHOUT GROUT
1341011
2591220
6813 19
71418
15
17
16
21
Step 5. Peel release
paper from tile and install
at intersection. Install one
quadrant of tile at a time.
Make sure arrows on back
of all tiles point in the same
direction. Lay tiles in pattern
shown at right, using chalk lines as a guide. Make sure tiles
are butted tightly at all edges to prevent separation.
INSTALL TILE WITH GROUT
Start at the center point. Peel release paper backing from
tiles and place into position, making sure they are flush with
the chalk line. Leave 1/8˝ space between each tile. Place
spacers between each tile at the corners.
*Remember to remove spacers before you grout. Press tiles against the
subfloor for good contact. For best contact, roll the edges of the tiles with a
wallpaper roller or rolling pin. Discard the release paper backing in wastebasket
immediately after removal from the tile, as it is very slippery. Presanded Acrylic
Grout is recommended for this application. Follow the application instructions
on the grout container carefully. For easier cleanup, apply grout only into the
joints. Excess must be removed immediately. Run the float along the joint; DO
NOT SPREAD OVER THE WHOLE TILE WHEN DOING THIS. With a pail filled with
clean water, wet a sponge squeezing out the excess water and move sponge
in a circular motion across the tile joint. Clean sponge and repeat until excess
grout is removed. Follow this process for removal of excess grout every five
square feet. Important: The longer the grout sits on the tile itself the harder it
will be to remove.
Step 3. At the mid-point
of the center line, create a
perpendicular line using a
carpenter’s square.
Step 6. For straight cuts
place a loose tile (A) face up
exactly on top of the last full
tile, making sure the arrows
are pointed in the proper
direction. Place another full
tile (B) on top of tile (A) with its edge against the wall. Using
tile (B) as a guide, mark the face of tile (A) with a pencil.
Step 4. Leave release
paper on back of tile. Starting
at the center of the room,
lay a row of tile to one end
wall and a second row to
one side wall. Measure the
distance from the last tile to
the wall. If less than 6˝, move
the centerline 6˝ nearer to the
Step 8. Roll installed tiles
to bond to floor. DO NOT
wash floor for five days.
Replace wall base and
moldings.
THE TRAFFICMASTER DIY LIFETIME LIMITED
RESIDENTIAL WARRANTY FOR DIY VINYL TILE
FLOORING
THE TRAFFICMASTER DIY 6-YEAR
LIGHT COMMERCIAL WARRANTY
• What is covered and for how long?
The TrafficMASTER Do-It-Yourself (DIY) lifetime warranty for Armstrong resilient tile
means that for the lifetime from the date of purchase, if for ANY reason you are
dissatisfied with your floor, the manufacturer will give you replacement tile.
For light commercial installations (foot traffic in property management locations and
low-traffic retail shops) the product is warranted to be free from manufacturing defects
for six years from the date of purchase. If a defect covered by this warranty is reported
to the manufacturer in writing within six years of purchase, the manufacturer will
supply new material of the same or similar grade sufficient to repair or replace the
defective material.
Installation requirements
Proper installation plays a key role in the performance of vinyl tile floors. For
installation of vinyl tile, these basic guidelines should be followed:
• Store tiles for 48 hours in room where they will be installed. Keep room at a
minimum of 65º F during that time and during installation. Be sure the subfloor is at
least 60º F. After installation, temperature should not fall below 65º F for the first 48
hours, and not below 55º F after that.
• If room is heated by radiant coils in the subfloor, the TEMPERATURE OF THE FLOOR
should not exceed 85º F.
• The subfloor should be level, clean, and free of wax, grease, oil or dust.
• If necessary, patch or fill any cracks in the subfloor with Armstrong Patch or Latex
Underlayment.
• If installing over existing vinyl, use liquid underlayment or embossing leveler to
smooth any texture or embossing on the old floor.
• Install over smooth, well-bonded resilient floors, ceramic, terrazzo, marble or over
dry concrete and wood floors with a plywood overlay.
What will the manufacturer do if you are dissatisfied?
The manufacturer will provide replacement tile of comparable quality, color and
pattern. We exclude any liability for installation costs or other damages.
What is NOT covered by this warranty?
THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES BEYOND THIS EXPRESSED WARRANTY. ALL OTHER
WARRANTIES, INCLUDING WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS
FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, ARE EXCLUDED. THE MANUFACTURER EXCLUDES
ANY LIABILITY FOR LOST PROFITS OR ANY OTHER INDIRECT, SPECIAL OR
CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES. THE REMEDIES CONTAINED HEREIN ARE THE ONLY
REMEDIES AVAILABLE BREACH OF THIS WARRANTY.
What should you do if you have a problem?
We want you to be happy with your TrafficMASTER floor. If you’re not, call your retail
store. They can answer your questions and, if necessary, start to process a claim. If you
have further questions, please call us at 1 800 233 3823.
PLEASE KEEP YOUR RECEIPT. The receipt is required to verify proof of purchase and
purchase date.
What is excluded from this warranty?
The manufacturer excludes and will not pay incidental or consequential damages
under this warranty. By this we mean any loss, expense, or damage other than to
the flooring itself that may result from a defect in the flooring. No implied warranties
extend beyond the terms of this written warranty.
Note: Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion or limitations of incidental or
consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the
above limitations or exclusions may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific
legal rights, and you may also have other rights, which vary from jurisdiction to
jurisdiction.
This warranty is effective October 1, 2015.
Warranty owner
This warranty applies only to Do-It-Yourself (DIY) installations by a homeowner for his
or her own residential end use. This warranty extends only to the original end user and
is not transferable.
Care and maintenance
Proper care and maintenance will help ensure your floor always looks its best.
Simply follow our maintenance and prevention steps outlined below.
Immediately after installation
• Maintain room temperature at 65º F for 48 hours after installation is completed.
This assures proper curing, setting and bonding of products.
• The adhesive under your floor needs time to thoroughly dry after installation.
Therefore, we recommend that you do not scrub or wash your floor for five days.
Caring for your floor
• Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove loose dirt, which can scratch your floor.
NOTE: we do not recommend vacuums that have a beater bar since it can visibly
damage your flooring surface. Additionally, we do not recommend electric brooms
with hard plastic bottoms with no padding as use may result in discoloration and
deglossing.
• Never use highly abrasive scrubbing tools on any TrafficMASTER floor.
• Wash your floor regularly with Armstrong Once ’n Done
®
Resilient &
Ceramic Floor Cleaner.*
• For heavy duty cleaning, use Armstrong New Beginning
®
Resilient Deep Cleaning
Floor Stripper.*
• Do NOT use detergents, abrasive cleaners, or “mop and shine” products. These
products may leave a dull film on your floor.
• Over time, if the shine on your floor begins to dull, Armstrong Shinekeeper
®
Resilient
High Gloss Floor Finish* can be used to renew your floor’s shine. Do NOT use paste
wax or solvent-based polishes.
• Vinyl flooring, like other types of smooth floors, can become slippery when wet.
Allow time for floor to dry after washing. Immediately wipe up wet areas from spills,
foreign substances, or wet feet.
Proactive protection for your floor
• When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood panel on your floor and
“walk” the items across it. This protects your floor from scuffing and tears.
• Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. The heavier the item, the
wider the floor protector needed.
• Be careful will rolling casters. They can damage the floor. Therefore, we do not
recommend them. If you choose to use them, the double-wheel type is the best option.
• Place a walk-off mat at outside entrances to reduce the amount of dirt brought into
your home. We strongly recommend mats without a latex or rubber backing since
these backings can cause permanent discoloration.
• All Armstrong floor care products have been specifically developed to care for
TrafficMASTER floors. You may purchase Armstrong floor care products at your
local flooring retailer.
Trademarks owned by AFI Licensing Company.
New Beginning
®
, Once ’n Done
®
and Shinekeeper
®
are registered in the United States only.
NA-3501-1216 ©2016 AFI Licensing Company
STAIN REMOVAL
TO REMOVE THE STAIN, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS IN ORDER, UNTIL NO
TRACE OF STAIN REMAINS.
CRAYON
• Rub the stain with mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning
®
Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
LIPSTICK
• Rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain is still visible, rub the stain with mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean
white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
GRAPE JUICE/WINE
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
• If stain is still visible, rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a
clean white cloth.
MERCUROCHROME/MERTHIOLATE
• Rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
MUSTARD
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
PEN INK
• Rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain is still visible, rub the stain with mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean
white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
PERMANENT MARKER
• Rub the stain with mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover** containing
acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean
white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
ASPHALT DRIVEWAY SEALER/SHOE POLISH
• Rub the stain with mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean
white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
HAIR DYE
• Rub the stain with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, use mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover** containing
acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning
®
Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
PAINT/VARNISH
• If paint stain is wet, wipe up the stain with water on a clean white cloth.
• If paint stain is dry, carefully scrape residue with a thin spatula.
• If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean
white cloth.
• If stain still shows, use mineral spirits** or turpentine** on a clean white cloth.
• If stain still shows, very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover** containing
acetone (follow use instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
NAIL POLISH
• Very carefully wipe with fingernail polish remover** containing acetone (follow use
instructions on label) on a clean white cloth.
RUST
• Apply Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor Stripper* to the
stain and let it stand for five minutes. Scrub vigorously with a stiff-bristle brush or
nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, wipe, rinse, and let dry.
• If traces remain, rub with a soft cloth dipped in a solution of oxalic acid and water
(one part acid to 10 parts water).
NOTE: Please follow instructions and cautions on label as oxalic acid is poisonous.
CIGARETTE BURNS
• The procedure depends on the exact construction of your floor. Consult your retailer.
BLACK HEEL MARKS
• Scrub the area with Armstrong New Beginning Resilient Deep Cleaning Floor
Stripper* and a nonabrasive white scrubbing pad, following instructions on the label.
• If stain still shows, rub the area with a nonabrasive cleaner.
• If stain still shows, rub the area with rubbing alcohol (isopropyl alcohol)** on a clean
white cloth.
* Eye and Skin Irritant
**May be combustible/flammable; please follow instructions on label
PRECAUTIONS
• When installing over an existing resilient floor, lay out the tile installations so the new
seams are a minimum of 6" away from the original seams.
• When installing over tile floors, seams should fall in the center of the tile.
• When using tile from two or more cartons, check to be sure all pattern and lot
numbers are the same for proper color match.
• Tile products with directional arrows on the back should be installed with the arrows
all pointing in the same direction.
• Do not wet wash tile for at least five days after installation. This will allow the tile
to become well seated in the adhesive and prevent excess moisture and cleaning
agents from interfering with the adhesive bond.
• Make sure tiles are butted tightly at all edges to prevent separation.
Customer Relations and Technical Services:
1 800 233 3823 • www.armstrongflooring.com
FITTING AROUND IRREGULAR
OBJECTS
Step 7. Make a pattern out of heavy paper to fit around
pipes or other irregular objects. Place the pattern on the tile
and trace. Cut along trace lines with scissors or utility knife,
remove release paper and lay tile.
6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 20'
6' 2 2 2 2 3 3 4 4
8' 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
10' 2 3 4 4 5 5 6 7
12' 3 3 4 5 6 6 7 8
15 Tile Cartons (18" x 18")
non-groutable
6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 20'
6' 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
8' 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 7
10' 3 3 4 5 6 7 7 8
12' 3 4 5 6 7 8 8 9
12 Tile Cartons (18" x 18")
groutable
6' 8' 10' 12' 14' 16' 18' 20'
6' 2 2 2 3 3 3 4 4
8' 2 2 3 3 4 4 5 5
10' 2 3 3 4 5 5 6 6
12' 3 3 4 5 5 6 7 7
16 Tile Cartons (18" x 18")
groutable
opposite wall. Do this in both
directions. All borders will now
be easier to cut and fit.
IF INSTALLING OVER