Installation Guide

CAUTION: ASBESTOS IN EXISTING FLOOR: Lifeproof product does not contain asbestos. Existing installed resilient flooring and
asphaltic adhesive may contain asbestos fillers or crystalline silica. Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead-blast, or
mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. See
“Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings” (rfci.com) for detailedinformation and instructions on r
emoving all resilient covering structures.
Safety and Health Precautions
Warranty
Product Description
Pre-Installation
Square TilePlank Rectangular Tile
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Please contact 1-877-630-1800 for further assistance
LPWSPC002
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance to manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe and
improper use can cause serious injuries. Avoid inhalation and exposures to dust by mechanical means and by wearing personal
protective equipment. Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which includes NIOSH or OSHA-approved dust masks,
safety goggles and work gloves.
CONCRETE MOISTURE
Test all concrete subfloors for moisture content and document the
results. Visual checks are not reliable.
Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near walls
containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the
room. Minimum sample size is 3 samples per 1000 sq. ft. of area
and one test for every additional 1000 sq. ft. thereafter. Moisture
content should meet one of the following criteria:
□ 5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter.
□ Less than 3 pounds per 1000 sq. ft. per 24 hours when using
Calcium Chloride test (ASTMF1869).
□ 85% when using Relative Humidity Testing (ASTMF-2170).
WOOD SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
The subfloor must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil,
mud and any other objects on or adhering to the floor; no
protrusions of nails, debris, or metals should remain. If necessary,
scrape and sweep the subfloor before the installation.
The subfloor must be structurally sound and stable; no movements
or squeaks; no loose panels or loose nails; no signs of ply
de-lamination or other damages. Repair all shortcomings before
installation.
The subfloor must be flat; no visible bumps or low spots; the subfloor
should be flat to within 1/8 in. in 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in 10 ft. span.
Test for moisture using a reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at
locations around exterior doorways, near foundation walls, near
walls containing plumbing lines and in the center of the room.
Measure 20 locations per 1000 sq. ft. Moisture content of the
subfloor should be less than 12%.
PLYWOOD OR ORIENTED STRAND BOARD (OSB)
SPECIFICATIONS
On truss/joist spacing of 16 in. (406 mm) O/C or less, the industry
standard for single-panel subflooring is a minimum 5/8 in. (19/32 in.,
15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (CD Exposure 1)
or 23/32 in. OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4 ft. x 8 ft. sheets.
Expansion gap between panels should be 1/8 in. (3 mm). If panels
are not tongued and grooved and there is not sufficient spacing or is
inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a circular saw. Do not
cut in expansion space on tongue and groove panels.
PARTICLE BOARD OR FIBER BOARD
Only for floating installation.
EXISTING FLOORS
Installation over existing floors requires the installer to ensure the
existing floor meets the subfloor requirements for either concrete or
wood above.
Acceptable floor coverings include: solid hardwood, linoleum,
terrazzo, ceramic tile and other “moisture sealing floors.”
Unacceptable floor coverings include: carpet, needle punch felt,
edge glued linoleum and other “moisture absorbing flooring.”
JOB SITE CONDITION
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of
installation, the job site conditions including subfloor/substrate,
ambient temperature and relative humidity, and all impacting
variables will not negatively affect the floor. The manufacturer will
decline responsibility for damages associated with improper
installation or poor site conditions.
STORAGE AND CONDITIONS
Do not store flooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For
example, garages and exterior patios are not acceptable areas to
store flooring. Handle and unload flooring with care and store within
the environmentally controlled site in which it is expected to perform.
Flooring stored on a concrete slab should be elevated at least
4 in. to allow air circulation under cartons. Do not allow boxes to
bend, support as necessary. Stack box one on top of another.
OWNER/INSTALLER RESPONSIBILITY
The owner is advised to be at home during the installation for
consultation/direction. The owner and installer should discuss
installation and layout to maximize satisfaction. If this is not
possible, consultation should be done prior to installation.
Installers should be familiar with installation guidelines from
National Wood Flooring Association (woodfloors.org). The
owner/installer assumes all responsibility for product quality of
completed installation.
PERFORM PRE-INSTALL INSPECTION. OPEN UP TO 4 BOXES
PRIOR TO INSTALLATION AND EXAMINE COLOR, FINISH AND
QUALITY OF EACH PLANK CAREFULLY. IF YOU ARE
DISSATISFIED WITH THE MATERIAL, YOU SHOULD CONTACT
THE RETAILER PRIOR TO INSTALLATION. INSTALLATION OF
THE FLOOR INDICATES THE OWNER’S ACCEPTANCE OF THE
QUALITY OF THE PRODUCT.
Prior to installation, arrange planks from several boxes to ensure
even distribution of colors, shades and characteristics in the
installed flooring.
Purchase flooring to be installed in one large area at the same
time. Product purchased at a later time than the first purchase
may vary beyond your expectations.
Accessories, trims and moldings are manufactured to coordinate
with the varied appearances of the floor planks. Any exact
matches are coincidental. Non-matching accessories are not
defective products.
This product is manufactured according to strict quality standards.
In the event that defects are discovered in the field, the industry
standards permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. Order an
additional 5% extra for cutting wastage and grading allowances
(10% for diagonal installations). During installation, inspect the
planks continuously. Defects that can be seen from a standing
position should be cut off or held out. Installing defective planks
implies acceptance.
Squeaking and clicking noises are the result of interactions among
flooring, joists and subfloors when they move. Limiting the
movements of the flooring system usually eliminates most of these
noises. Sometimes, it is impossible to eliminate them completely
and minor squeaking or clicking noises are to be accepted as
normal flooring phenomenon.
Minor scratches can generally be repaired with the use of putty,
stain or filler. It is an industry standard practice of flooring
installation and it should be accepted as normal by the home
owner.
To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, before
proceeding with any activity that is not covered in this manual,
please contact our Customer Support Team at 877-630-1800.
CONCRETE SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS
Concrete subfloors must:
□ Have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
□ Be level to within 1/8 in. in a 6 ft. span or 3/16 in. in a 10 ft.
span; no bumps or low spots. High spots can be removed by
grinding; depressions can be filled with patching compound
formulated for use in floor installation.
□ Be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other
objects on or adhering to the floor; if necessary,scrape and
sweep away before the installation; no protrusi
ons of nails,
debris, metals should remain.
□ New concrete slab must cure for at least 60 days. It must have a
minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet between the ground and the
concrete.
□ Be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the
installed flooring.
□ pH value must be between 7 - 9.
NOTE: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of
the test. These tests do not guarantee a perpetual “dry” concrete
slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at other times
of the year. We are not responsible for moisture-related damage
to installed flooring.
The procedures and illustrations in this manual apply to plank, square
tile and rectangular tile floorings.
Grade Levels
Above Grade / On Grade
Below Grade
Installation Instructions
For Assistance,
Call: 1-877-630-1800
For latest revision, visit
Homedepot.com/lifeproof
Installation Method
Floating
Warranty
Limited Lifetime
Residential Warranty
Product Description
Waterproof
Hardwood SPC
Flooring
5Gi Locking System
This flooring product comes with a manufacturer Lifetime Limited Residential Warranty. For the warranty to be effective, the flooring must
be installed and maintained according to manufacturer’s installation instructions and maintenance guide. The warranty applies to the
original purchaser of the flooring for the duration of the stated warranty from date of purchase. It guarantees the original purchaser that (1)
the finish surface will not wear through from normal foot traffic, and (2) the floor will resist damage due to moisture from general cleaning
and water spills when removed within 24 hours or reasonable amount of time. The warranty excludes damages resulting from outside the
normal conditions including but not limited to: Scratches and dents from sharp objects, shoes with spikes and cleats, environmental
conditions including excessive humidity or extreme temperatures, mold/ mildew, appliance leaks, natural disasters, Acts of God and
damages which are generally covered by casualty insurance. For more detailed warranty terms, coverage and exclusions, please visit
homedepot.com/lifeproof.
WARNING: Drilling, sawing, sanding or machining wood products can expose you to wood dust, a substance known to the
State of California to cause cancer. Avoid inhaling wood dust or use a dust mask or other safeguards for personal
protection. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov/wood