CALI Vinyl Legends Diamondhead Floating Click Lock Installation Guide

CALI Vinyl Legends Diamondhead Floating Click Lock

PRODUCT INFORMATION

The CALI Vinyl Legends Collection is a flooring system that features extra wide+ click 9 wide planks that measure 60 inches in length, 9 inches in width and 12mm in height. The collection also includes various flooring accessories such as quarter round, reducer, T-molding, threshold, overlap stair nosing, and stair tread.

Installation Guide

The CALI Vinyl Legends Collection can be installed using the Floating Click- Lock method. Before installation, it is important to follow the P.A.C.E. checklist provided in the user manual. This includes testing the subfloor moisture content and applying an appropriate moisture barrier such as CALI 6 mil Plastic or Titebond 531 over concrete or CALI Complete over all subfloor types. The subfloor must also be flat, level, clean, and free of debris. New concrete must be cured for at least 60 days.

Pre-Installation

Prior to installation, inspect planks in daylight for visible faults/damage. Check if subfloor/site conditions comply with the specifications described in the instructions. If you are not satisfied, do not install and contact your supplier. CALI is not responsible for flooring that is installed with visible defects. It is also important to use recommended tools and ensure that the subfloor meets the thickness requirements based on the joist system spacing.

Transport, Storage, Acclimation

During transport and storage, it is important to protect the planks from moisture and extreme temperatures. Prior to installation, acclimate the planks in the room where they will be installed for at least 72 hours. This will allow the planks to adjust to the temperature and humidity of the room.

Installation Guide

• The Floating Click-Lock method involves interlocking the planks together without the use of adhesive. Start by laying the first row along the longest wall in the room, with the tongue side facing the wall. Use spacers to maintain a ¼ inch expansion gap between the planks and the wall. Continue laying the planks row by row, interlocking them together and using a tapping block to ensure a tight fit. Use a pull bar to close the gaps on the last row. After installation, remove spacers and install matching trim pieces to cover expansion gaps.
• Proper installation and maintenance are key elements in achieving the best flooring results. It is the responsibility of the installer/owner to follow all guidelines provided by CALI for success. Please read through the user manual completely, additional installation materials such as videos, illustrations, and more can also be found at CALIfloors.com. Note that flooring not used for its intended purpose will not be covered under warranty.

The Collection

Flooring System

Extra Wide+ Click 9” Wide
Plank Dims: 60” L x 9” W x 12mm H

Flooring Accessories

Pre-Installation

CALI Vinyl Legends Floating Pre-Installation
Before you begin installation, remember to P.A.C.E. yourself with the checklist below. Full installation instructions and maintenance guidelines can also be found online at CALIfloors.com

• **PREPARE THE SUBFLOOR

**

• **ACCLIMATE FLOORING

**

• **CONTROL ENVIRONMENT

**

• EXPANSION **GAPS

**

CALI Vinyl Legends Floating Pre-Installation
Prepare Job Site, Acclimation, Control Subfloor Moisture, Environmental Conditions.

Quick Tip! Proper installation and maintenance are key elements in achieving best flooring results. It is the responsibility of the installer/owner to follow all guidelines provided by CALI for success. Please read through this document completely, additional installation materials such as videos, illustrations and more can also be found at CALIFloors.com.

Note: Flooring not used for its intended purpose will not be covered under warranty.

• Upon ordering of Vinyl floor materials consider adding an additional 5% to allow for cutting waste.

• CALI flooring is manufactured in accordance with accepted industry standards, which permit manufacturing deficiencies not to exceed 5%. If more than 5% of the material is unusable, do not install the flooring. Immediately contact the distributor/retailer from which the flooring was purchased. No claim will be accepted for materials with visible defects once they are installed. Installation of any material serves as acceptance of the material delivered.

• Installer/Owner assumes all responsibility to inspect all flooring before installation. Planks deemed unacceptable in appearance can be placed in closets, near walls or simply not be used. Pieces with glaring defects that can be seen from a standing position should be cut off or not be used as use constitutes acceptance.

• It is the responsibility of the installer/homeowner to determine if the job site conditions, environmental conditions and sub-floor are acceptable for the installation of CALI Vinyl flooring. CALI does NOT warrant against failure resulting from or connected with subfloor, job site damage, or environmental deficiencies after installation.
  CALI makes no warranty or guarantee of the quality of the chosen installer’s work or of a particular installation performed by him or her. CALI disclaims all liability for any errors or improprieties in the installation of its products by an installer.

• Floor noise is normal and will vary from one installation type to the next. Occasional noise is due to structural movement and may relate to sub-floor type, flatness, deflection, and/or related to the fasteners, changes in environmental conditions, relative humidity and the amount of topside pressure applied to the flooring. For these reasons floor noise is not considered a product or manufacturer defect.

• During installation, it is the installer’s responsibility to document all jobsite conditions and measurements including the installation date, site relative humidity, temperature, and subfloor moisture content. This information must be retained by the installer and left with the property owner as a permanent record.

• When installing CALI Vinyl in bathrooms it is recommended to use appropriate expansion space around fixtures. Use a silicone based caulk to fill gaps and install a transition piece in all doorways.

•  Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry.

• Never nail or screw anything through a FLOATED floor.

Transport, Storage, Acclimation

• Transport and store cartons in lay down, flat position.
• Stack boxes no more than 8 cartons (4ft.) high. Keep away from direct sunlight.
• Boxes should be stored in normal living conditions. If stored outside of normal living conditions (in areas of extreme heat or cold), the boxes should be brought to room temperature for a few days before installing.
• If not installing right away, flooring must be stored in a dry location on the pallet it was received on. We recommend covering with a tarp.
•  Room temperature and relative humidity of install area must be consistent with year-round living conditions for at least 5 days prior to installation.
• Due to the nature of CALI Vinyl Legends, product should be acclimated in the boxes for 24 hours prior to installation.

Pre-Installation Preparation
Prior to installation, inspect planks in daylight for visible faults/damage. Check if subfloor/site conditions comply with the specifications described in these instructions. If you are not satisfied do not install, and contact your supplier. CALI is not responsible for flooring that is installed with visible defects.

Recommended Tools

• Tape measure
•  Chalk line
• Pencil
•  3/8” spacers

Subfloor Requirements

General

• Floating floors can be laid on top of most hard surfaces (e.g. concrete, ceramics, wood)
• Soft subfloors (e.g. carpets) must be removed
• The subfloor must be level – Flat to 3/16” per 10-foot radius
•  The subfloor must be clean = Thoroughly swept and free of all debris
• The subfloor must be dry

Acceptable Subfloor Types

•  CD Exposure 1 plywood (grade stamped US PS1-95)
• OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels
•  Underlayment grade particleboard
• Concrete slab
•  Existing wood
•  Ceramic tile (must fill in grout lines with a compatible patch compound)
•  Resilient tile and sheet vinyl

Acceptable Subloor thickness Requirements:

• Wood subfloors must be securely fastened. A best practice is to nail or screw every 6” along joists to avoid squeaking. If leveling is needed, sand down high spots and fill in low spots with a Portland based leveling compound.
  Quick Tip! If your plywood, OSB or particle board subfloor is reading higher than 13% MC it is advised to find and correct the source of moisture intrusion before continuing installation. CALI is not responsible for any damage caused by moisture intrusion.

• Concrete subfloors must be fully cured and at least 60 days old, preferably 90 days old. If leveling is needed, grind down high spots and level low spots with a Portland based leveling compound.
  Ceramic Tile, resilient tile and sheet vinyl must be well-bonded to subfloor, in good condition, clean and level. We do not recommend sanding existing vinyl floors, as they may contain asbestos. We do recommend filling any grout lines or embossing with a compatible patch compound. Any damaged caused by skipping this step will not be covered by CALI.

• Crawlspaces must have a minimum of a 6-mil polyethylene sheeting covering any exposed earth. Crawl spaces must have adequate ventilation and a minimum of 18” of air space between the ground and the floor joist.

Moisture Barriers and Underlayments

• Even though CALI Vinyl Legends is waterproof it is NOT considered a moisture barrier. CALI always requires the use of a moisture barrier such as CALI 6 Mil Plastic or Titebond 531 over concrete, or CALI Complete over all subfloor types. Test the subfloor moisture prior to installation and apply an appropriate moisture barrier based on the subfloor moisture content. Remember, subfloor moisture readings are only applicable the day of testing and will not ensure that moisture will not fluctuate with seasonal changes. The use of a moisture barrier is an inexpensive and easy safeguard so you can breathe easy and enjoy your floor
  Note: Moisture barriers are not required on subfloors above habitable spaces (2nd, 3rd stories, etc).

• While moisture won’t damage CALI Vinyl Legends, moisture intrusions from concrete hydrostatic pressure, flooding, or plumbing leaks, along with high levels of alkalinity, can affect the floor over time. Moisture can also be trapped below the flooring and create mold or mildew resulting in an unhealthy indoor environment. The installer, not CALI is responsible for making sure the concrete moisture and alkalinity are suitable prior to installing this floor.

• If using a moisture barrier or underlayment not sold by CALI, check with the manufacturer to ensure it is approved for use with the specified floor type. Underlayments over 2mm thick should not be used.
  Note: Damage caused by using a moisture barrier not provided by CALI is not covered under warranty.

Radiant Heat Systems
CALI Vinyl flooring is only recommended for use over radiant heat systems if the special requirements specified by the National Wood Flooring Association are met (please refer to the NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines). Ensuring stable job site conditions, subfloor suitability, and proper acclimation are especially important when installing over a radiant heat system. It is the responsibility of the installer to ensure that the recommended environmental conditions are met for installation. Refer to your radiant heat system manufacturer to determine its compatibility with vinyl flooring, and to learn the specific requirements for installation.

• Because of the wide variety of systems on the market (Hydronic, embedded in concrete, electrical wire/coil, heating film/mat) each with its own features and applications it is recommended that the user consult with the radiant heating provider for best practices, installation methods and proper subfloors.
• With CALI Vinyl the floating installation method is the only method recommended for use with radiant heat systems.
• Radiant heat system must be turned on and in operation for at least one week before installation.
• The flooring must be acclimated per CALI Vinyl flooring acclimation instruction (https://www.CALIbamboo.com/installing-vinyl-plank-flooring/) over the radiant heat with the system turned on throughout the acclimation timeframe.
• The system must be turned down to 65°F and maintained 24 hours prior to installation.
• Once install is complete, turn system back on and slowly bring back up to normal operating temperature over a period 4-5 days. Increase the temperature in 5 degree increments to avoid overheating.
• Floor should never be heated over 85°F. Consult with your radiant heating system manufacturer to successfully limit the maximum temperature.
• Always remember that rugs placed over radiant heated flooring can increase the surface temperature in that area by 3°- 5°F degrees.
• Relative Humidity must be maintained between 20-80%.
• When turning off the radiant heat system it must be turned down slowly at a rate of 1.5° degrees per day. You should never just turn the system off.
• For additional information on radiant heating systems please refer to http://www.radiantpanelassociation.org or the NWFA’s Radiant Heat Guidelines.

CALI Vinyl Legends Floating Installation: Angle Angle – Click Lock

• Before laying: Measure the room at right angle to the direction of the planks. Planks in the final row should be at least 3 inches wide. Due to this rule, planks in the first row may need to be cut to smaller size. Shuffle planks in order to obtain a pleasant blend of shades. We recommend laying the planks along the longest, straight, exterior facing wall. You should never nail or screw planks to the subfloor.
  • Floor should be installed from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color, shade and appearance.
• Expansion gaps: Even though CALI Vinyl Legends will have very minimal expansion and contraction it is still required to leave 3/8” expansion space around the perimeter as well as all fixed objects (tile, fireplace, cabinets). If the installation area exceeds 50 feet, an expansion space of 3/4” is required.
  • If the installation area exceeds 80 feet in either direction transition pieces are needed.
  • To cover your expansion space, CALI carries matching vinyl flooring moldings that include reducers, t-moldings, quarter rounds, and thresholds. Matching stair parts are also available; including stair nosings and treads. Please visit CALI’s website for more details.
  • Baseboards and quarter round requires 1/16” of space between planks and trim to allow expansion and contraction of flooring.

Installation

Installing the First Row:

1. Starting from the left with the tongue-side facing the wall, carefully place the first board in place, using spacers to leave a 3/8” expansion gap between wall and edges of the plank.

2. Install the second piece by aligning the butt end with the end of the first piece at a 45 degree angle. Softly push the second piece down until the tongue and groove lock together to secure the joint on the ends. The planks should lay flat. Continue in this manner until reaching the final board in the first row.

Quick Tip! The first row serves as the building blocks for your installation. Ensure the seams are perfectly aligned to prevent any gapping on the following rows.

3. Cut the final board piece to length and install it in the same manner as the previous piece. Use the extra cut piece to start your next row if it is longer than 8”.

Next Steps:

1. Confirm the first row is straight. If the cut plank is at least 8” in length, it can be used as a starter piece in your next row. When laying the next row and future rows, make sure that there is at least 8” between the plank end joints on adjacent rows. Avoid an “H” pattern by varying the size of your starter piece. For a natural look, rows and patterns should be staggered.

2. Install the first board in the next row by angling it up slightly, pushing forward and interlocking the long side. The long side of the plank should fit snug with no gapping.

3. Insert the butt end of the second plank into the butt end of the first plank. Offset the planks by about 1/2.”

4.  Slightly lift the second plank and push in slightly along the length of the butt seam until the long side is fully engaged. The adjacent plank will also lift. The butt end seam should stay engaged during this action.

5. Make sure both planks lay flat afterwards and that all seams are tight. Use of a tapping block along the long side of the planks may help to ensure secure engagement. Continue installing the rest of the planks of this row.

Quick Tip! Once a few rows are installed, it may be easier to stand on the installed planks and install in reverse.

6. Use a pull bar and a hammer if needed, to assist with engaging the final plank in the row. Insert a spacer to ensure proper expansion space is left. Continue installing the rest of the rows in the same manner.
   Quick Tip! Carefully inspect the long edge and short ends of the planks for any gapping before moving on to the next row. If you notice any gaps, STOP, and reinstall the boards to ensure a snug fit.

Installing the Final Row:

1. The last row may need to be cut lengthwise (ripped). Make sure ripped piece is at least 3 inches. Cut the last board to size. Use pull bar and hammer to engage the length of the last plank.

After Install/Floor Care Maintenance

General Care:

• For general cleaning, dry or damp mop as needed using Bona Stone Tile & Laminate Floor Cleaner or something similar.
• Never use a steam mop or wet-mop as standing water may cause permanent damage and the heat from the steam mop may dull the finish. The moisture from the dampened mop should evaporate off the floor quickly.
• Although CALI Vinyl flooring is waterproof, it is still a best practice to avoid excess moisture on the floor. Therefore, we recommend soaking up spills immediately using a dry towel or dry mop.
• To clean up dried glue use either Bostik Ultimate Adhesive Remover or Titebond Adhesive Remover cleaning wipes.

Preventative Care:

• Vacuum or sweep the floor with a broom or dust mop on a regular basis or as needed to remove dirt, sand, or grit to protect the floor from scratches. Be careful of other debris such as small rocks and pebbles being drug across the floor.
• Do not use vacuums that use a beater bar or turn beater bar off; brush or felt vacuum heads are recommended as opposed to hard heads.
•  Keep pet nails trimmed to avoid excessive scratching.
•  To prevent indentations and scratches, remove small diameter buttons/ends from furniture legs and replace with felt tipped non-staining floor protectors with a surface no less than 1” in diameter. Heavier objects may require wider floor protectors. Periodically check the felt tips for wear or buildup of grit/debris and replace as needed.
• Fit rolling furniture with soft rubber casters with a diameter of at least 2”.
• When moving large appliances or furniture, use proper dollies, glides, or 1/8” Masonite with the shiny side down – do not slide or drag across the floor. Rolling appliances across the floor or using heavy load bearing carts with small wheels may damage the vinyl floor.
• Use interior and exterior doormats at entrances to prevent dirt and moisture from being tracked onto the floor. Area rugs are also recommended in front of kitchen sinks and in high traffic areas. Rugs must be made of a breathable material to prevent moisture entrapment. We recommend using a breathable rug underlay; mesh or grid patterns are best. Do not use rugs with solid rubber or vinyl backings as this may damage the finish.
• Limit direct sunlight on the floor by using curtains and blinds in areas that are exposed to high UV rays.
• Abrasive or harsh chemicals should not be used to clean the floor. Never use any of the following products on the floor: mineral spirits, paint thinner, acetone, ammonia-based cleaners, acrylic finishes, wax-based products, detergents, bleach, polishes, oil soap, abrasive cleaning soaps, or acidic materials such as vinegar. Never apply wax treatments to the floor.
• Heating units or non-insulated ductwork close to the flooring or subfloor may cause “hot spots” which must be eliminated prior to installation.
• Heavy furniture (500+ lbs.) may obstruct the free, natural movement of a floated floor.
• Do not install flooring under permanent or fixed cabinetry and never nail or screw anything through a floated floor.
• Lighter colors and darker colors naturally show more dirt, flaws, and marks and are considered higher maintenance

References

• Flooring | Bamboo, Engineered, Wood, & Vinyl Floor | CALI

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