Installation instructions for SPC

STEP 1: PRE-INSTALLATION

Please handle, transport, and unload the flooring with care. DO NOT DROP BOXES ON THE ENDS AS THIS COULD BREAK THE LOCKING SYSTEM OR STAND THE BOXES UPRIGHT AS THIS COULD CAUSE THE FLOORING TO BOW. THE BOXES NEED TO BE STORED FLAT AT ALL TIMES.The flooring should be stored in a dry place, The flooring should not be delivered to site until the building has been closed in with windows and doors, and until cement work, plastering, painting, and all other materials have thoroughly dry.If possible, acclimatize the flooring for at least 48 hours (preferably 3-4 days) prior to installation commencing.In addition, the heating or cooling system and controlled at 40°–60° RH for at least 48 hours before and during the installation process, as well as maintained after installation has been completed.Do not install the flooring in areas that are subject to extreme seasonal temperature changes, where you cannot control the temperature.When installing the flooring in areas that are subject to large amounts of sunlight, that the windows are tinted or window furnishing installed and drawn at the time of the day when most exposed to sunlight.Failure to do so could result in UV fading of the floor and excessive expansion.

STEP 2: MOISTURE TEST

Before installing the flooring over a concrete or a particle board sub-floor, check the floor for moisture in several areas using an appropriate qualified commercial moisture meter.Prior to installation commencing it is critical to check the moisture content of subfloor.For concrete slabs, the moisture reading of the sub-floor should around 2.5% for an older concrete slab and no more than 3.9% for a new concrete slab. If the moisture contents fall outside of this range, additional drying of the subfloor will be required. It is advisable that if the moisture content of the sub-floor falls outside of the recommended ranges that the sub-floor be sealed with an appropriate sealant that is compatible with the adhesives to be used. Please note that the sealants only act as a vapor barrier and not a moisture barrier or waterproofing membrane. The responsibility for checking the moisture contents of the subfloor lies with the installer and this information needs to be documented via marking the reading on the subfloor which are to be photographed and dated. A number of readings are required to be taken around varying locations on the subfloor. One or two readings will not suffice. If there are any areas of need to be addressed before installation commences.

STEP 3: SUB-FLOOR PREPARATION

The preparation of the subfloor is a critical component in order to ensure a successful installation process. The subfloor must be structurally sound, free of deflection or excessive movement, permanently dry, level, smooth, clean and free of any foreign contaminants such as paint, dust, dirt, grease, oil, old adhesive residue, etc. Do not install the SPC flooring over a timber floor directly adhered to a concrete slab or over any type of carpet. The subfloor must be level to within 2mm over 3 lineal meters I any direction as SPC flooring is a much thinner product and tolerance are lower. Please also note when installing SPC flooring, it is critical that builders black plastic with a minimum of 200μm gauge is installed prior to installation of the SPC flooring. This is necessary in order to ensure that the SPC flooring can move freely without the underlay backing grabbing onto the subfloor and preventing it from expanding. When installing the builders black plastic, overlap the joins by 200mm and tape them down with duct tape. Furthermore, run the builders black plastic up the walls by approximately 20mm or even more depending on the size of the skirting or molding being used. Movement and squeaks to the sub-floor should be well fastened with ring nails or screws to the floor joists. With regards the levels, high spots must be sanded/ground flat and low spots must be filled with a leveling compound with a minimum compressive strength of 3000 psi or greater. It is important to follow the levelling compounds application instructions and ensure they are suitable for the application purposes.

STEP 4: BEFORE INSTALLATION

Unpack 80% of the required flooring that you will be installing on the day, sort out the floorboards into colours/shades and lengths where applicable. Prior to installation of the flooring, set it out by roughly placing the floorboards out in a manner that is pleasing to the eye, ensuring a random mix of colours/shades and lengths. Our quality control procedures at the factory ensure that very few, if any boards are defective when delivered to the consumer. However, it is important to remember that the installer should inspect each floorboard prior to installing them for potential defects, damage etc. and if any are found, these should be removed and returned to your supplier to be exchanged if found to be defective. Alternatively, these floorboards can be installed in areas such as under the dishwasher or fridge or in cupboards, where often these defects can be cut out. Please note if defect floorboards are installed without informing the supplier of these defects, it is the installers’ responsibility to remove and replace them. Warranty claims will not be accepted for defective flooring that has been installed. It is critical to check each floorboard prior to installation commencing for any defects. Please note that not all jobs are the same and some consumers have specific requirements that they want met. If the consumer has any specific questions they wish addressed, please feel free to ask your supplier prior to installation commencing. Furthermore, if the consumer wants to install their flooring outside the parameters of the manufacturer guidelines, they need to consult the manufacturer prior to installation commencing and obtain clarification in order to ensure that all warranties are upheld. If the consumer fails to work within the manufacturers guidelines, this could have an impact on the warranties and failure to comply fully with them will result in the product warranty being null & void in part or in full.

STEP 5: INSTALLATION

Tools required include the following: Pencil, Tape measure, Multi-Tool for undercutting the door jambs or alternatively a Handsaw, Utility Knife, Pull bar, Rubber Mallet, Rubber Tapping BlockSpacers/Wedges, Jigsaw, Drop Saw or Guillotine, Broom, Dust Pan, Vacuum and relevant Safety and Protective Personal Equipment (PPE). It is important to note that SPC flooring can only be installed via the Floating method of Installation.

  • Stage 1: Follow steps outlined in Step 1: Pre-Installation Procedures and check the moisture contents of the subfloor as discussed in Step 2 Moisture Test.
  • Stage 2: Seal the subfloor if required. Install builders black plastic as discussed in Step 3: Sub-Floor Preparation as well as rectify the levels if required.
  • Stage 3: Unpack the boxes as described in Stage 4: Before Installation. Remove any skirting if applicable and undercut the door jambs with either a Multi-Tool or Handsaw, using an off cut of the flooring as a guide to achieve the correct heights.
  • Stage 4: Commence installation working from left to right placing the Spacers/Wedges at the ends and edges where the flooring meets the walls. It is critical to leave expansion of a minimum of 8mm around the perimeters of the flooring, depending on the size of the area. If possible, cut and remove the base of the gyprock approximately 10mm up from the sub-floor in order to gain an extra 10mm expansion. For larger areas it may be necessary to compartmentalize the floor to ensure sufficient expansion is allowed for by installing expansion joints. For areas large than 6 meters in width, the floor will need to be compartmentalized. Please contact your supplier for clarification in this regard. WHEN INSTALLING THE FLOORING USE AN OFF CUT OF THE FLOORING (UNDERLAY FACING DOWN) AND PLACE IT ON TOP OF THE BUTT JOINTS AND THEN TAP NOT HIT THE OFF CUT WITH A RUBBER MALLET TO LOCK THE FLOORING TOGETHER. HITTING THE BUTT JOINTS OR ANY JOINTS FOR THAT MATTER, WILL CAUSE THEM TO FRACTURE OR BREAK. THIS IS CRITICAL TO ENSURE A SUCCESSFUL INSTALLATION OF THE FLOORING AND AVOID BREAKAGE OF THE FLOORING, WHICH ONLY HAS A THIN LOCKING SYSTEM.
  • Stage 5: Once the first floorboard has been installed and the Spaces/Wedges placed at the ends where the flooring meets the walls, lock the butt joints (short end of the floorboards) by inserting the tongue into the groove at an angle and drop in place. Continue this procedure until you get to the end of the row. Cut the last floorboard with a Drop Saw or Guillotine. A Guillotine will be a cleaner option. Use a Pull Bar and the Rubber Mallet to lock the final floorboard in position. You can use a tapping block and a rubber mallet to secure the lock, ensuring you do not hit it too hard causing damage to the locking system. Failure to close the gaps will compromise the locking system. When tapping the short end of the floorboard, use a Rubber Tapping Block, tapping on the edge of the floorboard, not directly on the locking system so as to avoid damaging the locking system. When tapping on the long end of the floorboard, you can use an off cut piece of the flooring, which you can lock into the adjoining floorboards and close any gaps that are present. Once the first row has been installed use the leftover piece of the cut floorboard and start your next row with it ensuring that the spaces between the butt joints are at least 25-30 cm apart. Lock the long edge of the floorboard by inserting the tongue at an angle and drop in place. These procedures are then replicated throughout the installation process. When cutting around built-in cabinetry or fitting the floorboards underneath the door jambs, use either a Utility Knife of Jigsaw to make the cuts, ensuring the relevant expansion has been left at all times.
  • Stage 6: Fix the skirtings to the walls, not to the flooring. If you chose to leave the skirting in place, fit a molding to the skirting, not the flooring to cover the expansion. Against any built-in cabinetry, fit a molding to cover the expansion. Install transition strips against the tiles, carpet, windows and sliding doors etc. ensuring that the floorboards are not adhered to the subfloor. Use a flexible adhesive or a clear silicone to fix the transition trims. Please discuss the different transition strips with your supplier so they are able to advise you of the best choices in this regard.
  • Stage 7: On completion of the installation process, sweep up large pieces of debris and dispose in a responsible manner. Vacuum the remaining debris up, ensuring the brushes are out on the vaccum head.