THANK YOU FOR CHOOSING AHF PRODUCTS FLOORING
If properly installed and cared for, your new flooring will be easy to maintain and and will look great for years to come. These directions are based on industry standards and best practices. Failure to follow these installation instructions may result in damage to the flooring and void the floor’s warranty.
- For complete warranty information call 1-866-243-2726 or go to www.ahfproducts.com.
- For technical or installation questions, or to request a Safety Data Sheet, please call 1-866-243-2726 or visit www.floorexpert.com our technical website.
- For general questions or comments, please visit us at www.ahfproducts.com or call 1-866-243-2726.
| WARNING: EXISTING IN-PLACE RESILIENT FLOOR COVERING AND ASPHALTIC ADHESIVES. DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEADBLAST, OR MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVE, OR OTHER ADHESIVE. These existing in-place products may contain asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Smoking by individuals exposed to asbestos fibers greatly increases the risk of serious bodily harm. Unless positively certain that the existing in-place product is a non-asbestos-containing material, you must presume it contains asbestos. Regulations may require that the material be tested to determine asbestos content and may govern removal and disposal of material. See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for instructions on removing all resilient floor covering structures or contact your retailer or AHF Products at 866 243 2726. AHF floor coverings and adhesives do NOT contain asbestos. |
Installation:
Location: RV
Adhesive: Perimeter fasten
Fitting: All Methods
Subfloor
- Subfloor decking: Please secure a letter from the supplier that the subfloor is suitable for perimeter stapled vinyl flooring.
NOTE: For wood subfloors and underlayments, the moisture content must be 13% or less.
Job Conditions/Preparation (for all installation options)
- Substrates must be sound, dry, clean, smooth and free from excessive moisture or alkali.
- The surface shall be free of dust, solvents, varnish, paint, wax, oil, grease, sealers, curing compounds, residual adhesive, adhesive removers and other foreign materials that might affect the adhesion of resilient flooring to the substrate or cause a discoloration of the flooring from below. Spray paints, permanent markers and other indelible ink markers must not be used to write on the back of the flooring material or used to mark the substrate as they could bleed through, telegraphing up to the surface and permanently staining the flooring material. If these contaminants are present on the substrate, they must be mechanically removed prior to the installation of the flooring material.
- Do not use products containing petroleum solvents or citrus oils to prepare substrates as they can cause staining and expansion of the new flooring.
Installation Conditions
- For ideal installation conditions, a minimum temperature of 65°F is recommended. If additional material is stored in temperatures below 50°F, this material should be acclimated in warmer conditions for 48 hours prior to installation.
- If a heat source is used to acclimate the flooring, it should be distributed evenly at the recommended temperature of 68°F. Uneven heat application or distribution can cause concerns with installation. Additionally, it is important to acclimate the decking that the floorcovering will be installed over.
- For the best installation results, the installation temperature should be maintained for 48 hours prior to and for 48 hours after the completion of the installation.
Extreme Cold
- Sheet vinyl flooring is designed to provide good installation and performance benefits at moderate temperatures (55°F to 95°F). When temperatures move from this range, the vinyl characteristics can change.
- In colder temperatures viny become stiff and it will be harder to apply tension during installation. At high temperatures, vinyl can be come softer and prone to over stretching.
- Best practice is to acclimate vinyl to facility temperature for 48 hours.
Perimeter Staple Installation
Keys to Successful Perimeter Staple Down Installation
- Store, transport and handle flooring so as to prevent any sharp creases or other distortions in the sheet. Always roll face-out on a cardboard tube. Distortions will generally not disappear or shrink on their own. Sheet must be lying flat at time of installation.
- Just prior to installation, lay flooring out flat to acclimate to conditions and allow the roll-up stresses to relax.
- Do not compress the edges of the sheet in any way when installing other flooring materials next to the flooring. Installation of carpet, metal strips and other transition moldings should not push fullness into the flooring.
- Always protect from rolling loads from other trades and replacement and/or movement of appliances.
Stapling Procedure
- Step 1: Start at one corner of the deck and staple the flooring every 3˝ along the width of the deck, checking to make sure the staples are properly seated in the subfloor. (NOTE: Minimum staple size 1/2˝ crown and 1/2˝ leg.)
- Step 2: On the opposite end of the deck pull the sheet taut, being careful not to overstretch the vinyl. Staple the corner of the deck in place.
- Step 3: Staple the vinyl along the entire side of the deck.
- Step 4: After properly securing the first side, move to the center of the opposite side and pull the sheet taut and staple. Move to each corner of the opposite side pulling the vinyl taut and stapling in place. Make sure to smooth out any wrinkles as you are stapling.
- Steps 5: Continue stapling the vinyl in the same fashion for the other sides.
- Step 6: To finish the installation. make cuts for the heat registers and other floor openings. Staple every 3˝ along the cut outs ensuring molding and will cover the staples.
To help prevent cold crack, please use the recommended adhesive in 6˝ bands around all cutouts.
CAUTION
Precautions for All Installation Methods
- When moving appliances or heavy furniture, lay a plywood panel on the floor and “walk” the item across it. This protects the floor from scuffing and tears.
- Use floor protectors on furniture to reduce indentation. The heavier the item, the wider the floor protector needed.
Slide Out Applications
Slide out and binding of RV flooring – StrataMax Pro
- Flooring can be folded and bounded around the edges. Continuing to follow the proper stapling technique along the slide out.
- We recommend applying a 3” band of adhesive on the subfloor deck at slide out. This will minimize the slide out grabbing the installed flooring.
Repair Procedure
- Step 1: Cut a piece of matching material slightly larger than the damaged area.
- Step 2: Place repair piece over the damaged area and fasten with double-faced tape. If the material has a pattern, be sure the pattern is aligned correctly.
- Step 3: Double-cut through both the repair piece and the damaged flooring. Be sure not to cut the substrate. Hold a straight bladed knife at a 90-degree angle while cutting the seam. Square edges are important for a professional-looking and hard-to-find repair.
- Step 4: Lift out repair piece and the damaged area.
- Step 5: Center the acrylic double-faced tape under all seams. Be sure not to overlap the tape.
- Step 6: Apply Armstrong Flooring S-763 Seam Adhesive around the perimeter of the opening.
- Step 7: Carefully position the repair piece and roll all seams firmly with a hand roller. Clean any adhesive that might be on the surface.
- Step 8: Protect repaired area until seam treatments have dried.