Installation Guide

Acceptable Underlayments

• Wood underlayment

Wood underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specied and warranted by the manufacturer.

Always fasten underlayment panels in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Any failure

of the underlayment or TracMaster ooring as a result of the underlayment is NOT the responsibility of

TracMaster.

• Concrete

• VCT (well bonded, on and above grade)

• Ceramic (well bonded) with a skim coat

• Terrazzo (well bonded)

• Self-leveling and patching compounds (latex fortied Portland cement based only)

• Resilient oor (no more than 2 layers, well bonded, non-cushioned – residential applications only)

• Radiant heat oors (not exceeding 85°F (29°C) and approved by the manufacturer for the use of their

product with resilient vinyl ooring applications)

• Gypcrete can be utilized when necessary due to radiant heat and in high rise buildings. Gypcrete must be

sealed using Acrylic Latex Floor Primer to stabilize the surface for adhesive bond. All issues with gypcrete

cracking, crumbling, powdering and resulting in the release of adhesive bond are NOT warranted.

• OSB (underlayment grade)

OSB underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specied and warranted by the manufacturer.

Underlayment panels and joints must be fastened and reinforced according to manufacturer’s

instructions. Completely sand the oor with a oor sander, so that the oor is smooth and at. NOTE: The

chips in OSB overlap. Without sanding properly, OSB has high and low spots throughout the oor that

could telegraph through the vinyl.

- Surface must be primed using Acrylic Latex Floor Primer.

• Particle board (underlayment grade)

Particle board underlayment panels must be underlayment grade as specied and warranted by the

manufacturer.

- Surface must be primed using Acrylic Latex Floor Primer.

Floor Preparation

Floor must be clean, smooth, at and dry. Remove all foreign substances such as wax, grease, dirt,

construction markings and contaminants, and any substance or chemical that would interfere with a good

bond. Fill all holes and cracks with a latex fortied Portland cement based patching compound. Sand high

spots to eliminate the possibility of telegraphing. Prime oor if needed with Acrylic Latex Floor Primer to

prevent over absorption of adhesives, dust containment, and to ensure a better bond of the adhesive to the

suboor.

Moisture Testing

Moisture levels at the time of installation of concrete slabs during and after installation must be 5 lbs. or

less per 1000 square feet per 24 hours using an anhydrous calcium chloride test according to ASTM F-1869,

and pH must be between 5 and 9; or, if using ASTM F-2170 In-Situ Probes should be less than 75% relative

humidity.

Residential Installation Guide – Sheet Vinyl Flooring

This document is reviewed on an ongoing basis. 4/22/14