Installation & Assembly

[phone] | [e-mail] | www.karndean.com
KD4456PROD | V2 | 05/19
LooseLay Installation Instructions
General Information
LooseLay is a versatile floor covering and is particularly
suitable for use in temporary installations or where tiles
may need to be removed to allow access to floor panels. It
is recommended for use over correctly prepared concrete,
wooden floors, raised access floors, metal and other
suitable substrates. It is designed for interior use only.
A separate underlayment is not normally
recommended.
Acclimatization of Material
At least 48 hours prior to installation, LooseLay must be
removed from packaging (product may be stacked but
must be rested flat) and allowed to acclimatize in the room
where the installation is to take place. Room temperature
should be kept between 64 °F – 85 °F (18 °C – 29 °C).
Subfloor Preparation
Subfloor preparation must comply with ASTM F710,
AS/NZS 1884, BS 8203, or other applicable National
Standards and Building Codes for the installation of
Resilient Flooring and in strict accordance with these
installation guidelines. The subfloor must be smooth,
level without undulations, clean and dust-free. Note:
solvents and corrosive chemicals should not be used
to clean or remove subfloor contaminants as they can
damage the backing of Karndean LooseLay and aect
product performance.
• Damp Subfloors: LooseLay can be installed on
subfloors with a moisture reading up to 95% RH. For
any subfloor showing a moisture above 95% RH,
then a suitable damp proof membrane / moisture
suppression system must be used.
(If using the calcium chloride test procedure ASTM
1869-11 the reading must not be above 5 lbs per
1000 sq. ft. per 24hrs.)
Note: some National Standards require the pH of the
concrete slab to be controlled.
• Old Adhesive residues: All adhesive residues
from previous installations must be completely
mechanically removed. (The use of chemical
adhesive strippers is not permitted.)
• Concrete Floors: Subfloors/Screeds: All cracks and
joints must be filled using a cement based patching
compound and the floor needs to be level in
accordance with the applicable Standard.
All Gypsum (anhydrite) based subfloors must be
sealed with a compatible sealing compound.
• Mosaic/Terrazzo/Ceramics/Quarry Tiles: Ensure
the floor is sound with no loose tiles. Then level any
grout lines with a suitable smoothing compound.
• Wood Subfloors: These should be solid with minimal
flexibility. All loose boards must be firmly fastened,
gaps filled, and undulations removed. Where
necessary, overlay floorboards with flooring grade
plywood or similar.
• Best practice is to overlay (ASTM F14282) OSB
(Oriented Stand Board) with a flooring grade
plywood because the quality, moisture content and
smoothness of OSB can vary.
• Solid Hardwood/Thermoplastic tiles: Make sure
these floors are solid; fix any loose tiles and remove
any surface polish/sealer.
We recommend the removal of these products if
installed directly to earth, bitumen/ cutback / ATA
or pitch. Any wood flooring or wood underlayment
attached directly to concrete must be removed.
Then prepare floor to applicable Standard.
• Resilient: - Linoleum/ sheet vinyl: Looselay can
be installed over these products provided the
surface is securely fixed and cleaned to remove all
contamination including dressings.
• Metal and Painted Floors: Fully remove any loose
paint or other finishes.
• Raised Access Floors: Ensure raised access panels
are firm, level, smooth, clean and free from defects/
contaminants. Gaps between panels should not
exceed 1/16”(1.5 mm); the overall floor to be level
within ± 1/16” (1.5 mm) over a 15 feet (5 m) radius;
unstable, uneven or poor-quality panels should be
suitably repaired prior to installation; tiles should be
set out such that their edges do not fall on or close to
the edge of the raised access panel. No responsibility
will be accepted for any joint telegraphing through
the tile either as a ‘ridge’ or a ‘valley’.
• Other Floors: Consult your supplier.
Underfloor Heating and Services
LooseLay is suitable over underfloor heating systems,
provided it is insulated such that the temperature
between the underside of the tile and subfloor does not
rise above 81°F (27°C).
• Electrical underfloor heating: please consult
manufacturer to ensure that their system is compatible
with this flooring. Mesh/wire systems must be
embedded into a basecoat of reinforced smoothing
compound to a minimum depth of 3/8” (10mm),
installed to manufacturer’s instructions. The room
temperature must be between 65 - 85°F (18°C - 29°C)
prior, to and during installation.
Note: The system must be switched o 48 hours
before, during, and for 48 hours after the installation.
Then the temperature should be gradually
increased (typically 4 °F/day (2°C/day) to the desired
temperature.
Important: - care must be taken to avoid damage
to the floor caused by localised “hot spots/thermal
blocks”. In particular consideration must be given
in placing rugs, and items of furniture which do
not allow hot air circulation. No responsibility for
damage to floor tiles can be accepted under these
circumstances.