Dry-Back Glue Down Installation Instructions

1. Concrete subfloors must be smooth, dry and free from dust, paint, grease, solvent, asphalt sealing com- pounds, oil and other materials. The surface must be dense and hard and free from flaking or powder.
2. New concrete slabs must be thoroughly dry and completely cured. The process takes a minimum of 6 weeks.
3. Surface hardeners, curing agents and other additives may cause adhesive bonding failure. These should be removed by sanding or grinding.
4. Moisture arising from new or old concrete can create high levels of alkalinity, hydrostatic pressure and moisture vapor emissions. This combination is highly damaging to the floor and will cause long term, damaging affects. To avoid this problem, ensure that concrete subfloors are constructed according to the American Concrete Institution’s guidelines (ACI’s 302.2 Guide). To check current conditions, a calcium chloride test (ASTM F1869) and a RH test using in situ Probes (ASTM F2170) is necessary. If the level of vapor emissions / hydrostatic pressure exceeds 6 lbs and /or 90% RH, a moisture barrier must be installed over the concrete.

1. Screw or nail any areas that squeak or are loose. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate fastening pattern. They should be screwed, nailed or glued as that system requires, using an acceptable pattern. Flatten edge swell as necessary and replace any swollen. water-damaged, or delaminated underlayment or subflooring.

2. Wood subfloor panels should be a minimum of 1” or thicker and free of vertical deflection. All fasteners must be flush with the subfloor panels.

3. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. The crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist should be no less than 18” and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5 percent of the total square foot- age of the crawl space area to provide cross ventilation. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene membrane is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth.

• Warm plank with a heat gun

• Using a sharp utility knife, cut corner of damaged plank. Do not cut subfloor below.

• Lift the end of plank and continue heating

• When enough heat is provided the plank will release from the adhesive

• Lift up entire plank and warm the exposed adhesive and install new plank

• Set new plank firmly into place with hand roller

• Use soft bristle broom to sweep regularly.
• For heavy pieces of furniture, use felt protectors under legs.
• All exterior entrances should have protective Do not use mats made of PVC or rubber or PVC but instead urethane backed mats. Mats should be cleaned regularly to avoid becoming a soil source.
• Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage your floor.
• Replace hard plastic or metal furniture casters/wheels with soft rubber casters.
• Prolonged, direct exposure to sunlight can change the color of planks.
• Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.
• Keep animal nails trimmed.

• Damage caused by leaks from plumbing or appliances.

• Damage resulting from use of strong chemicals, paints, detergents, dyes, fertilizers, mats.

• Construction damage after installation.

• Damage caused by moving heavy furniture or appliances without protecting the floor.

• Damage caused by chair legs where chair pads were not applied or maintained.

• Discoloration caused by rubber wheels, automotive tires, rubber tires, rubber pads, rubber rollers, etc.

• Discoloration caused by use of rubber-backed or latex floor mats. Use mats marked as “nonstaining.”

• Installation-related errors or damage including improper conditioning of jobsite and flooring materials.

• Problems / damage due to excessive moisture or hydrostatic pressure from the subfloor.

• Damage or scratches resulting from accidents, abuse, casualty events or improper usage (including damage

  from pet claws, urine, teeth etc). Accidents, abuse and improper usage are defined as, but are not limited to damage caused by: rotating beater bars on vacuum cleaners, casters on furniture, cuts, impact from heavy / sharp objects, burns, narrow and spike heels or cleats as well as damage resulting from unprotected furniture legs.

• Fading, discoloration or other damage due to excessive temperatures or sunlight. Radiant heat must not exceed 85 ° F (29°C) and be approved by the manufacturer for the use of their product with resilient vinyl flooring applications.

• Flooring installed on stairs is excluded from warranty coverage. Installation of residential product in a commercial environment.

• Improper Installation: Material installed that Is not installed in accordance with installation instructions is not a manufacturing related defect. Installer workmanship is not warranted. Labor cost to repair or replace material installed with visible imperfections.

If the product fails to perform as stated in the warranty, SAR Floors reserves the right to have the product inspect- ed by a certified inspector. Should product be determined to be defective, SAR Floors reserves the right to either repair or replace the defective area with the same color, design and grade product, if available. If product is un- available or discontinued, SAR Floors reserves the right to select and supply similar material.

• If repairs or replacement of a section is deemed necessary, all items must be cleared from the affected area subsequent to the original installation. The cost associated with the removal of those items will not be credited or reimbursed.
• Product costs will be covered for the length of
• Labor cost will not be covered
• Warranty coverage for the replacement floor will be limited to the remaining portion of the original
• Any additional claims for loss of profit or incidental losses due to defective product will not be Some examples of incidental damages are replacement of subfloors or underlayment, trim moldings, disconnecting/ reconnecting appliances, moving of furniture are deemed incidental by SAR Floors.

Failure to follow these procedures may result in voiding some or all of the warranty. This limited warranty is not transferable and extends only to the original end user.

Please note: Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you. This warranty gives you specific rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

Radiant Heat:

SPC / LVP Over Radiant Heat:

Radiant Heating: Radiant-heated subfloor systems can be concrete, wood or a
combination of both.

The heating systems components must have a minimum of 1/2″ separation from the heating system to the flooring covering product. The system must be on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to installation to reduce residual moisture. Three days prior to installation lower the temperature to 65 degrees. After installation, gradually increase the temperature in increments of 5° F to avoid overheating. Maximum operating temperature should never exceed 85°F. Use of an in-floor temperature sensor is recommended to avoid overheating. Contact the manufacturer of your radiant heating system for further recommendations.

Warning: Heating mats work very well under carpet, tile, and stone. However, we do not recommend having them placed directly underneath the Vinyl SPC or LVP floor. It is best to install Vinyl SPC flooring over hydro-based radiant heating systems.

LVP (dry-back, glue down) specific:

Use only recommended flooring adhesive over manufacturer’s recommended plywood substrate. The system must be on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to installation to reduce residual moisture. Turn the heat off for 24 hours before and during installation, and 24 hours after installation when installing over radiant heated subfloors. Failure to turn the heat off may result in shortened working time of the adhesive.

Floor temperature must never exceed 85°F (30°C).

Failure to strictly follow adhesive manufacturer’s guidelines may result in failure and void warranty.