Godfrey Hirst Residential Carpet & Flooring Instruction Manual

Hybrid Floors
Australia / New Zealand
Residential Carpet & Flooring
Instruction Manual

Residential Carpet & Flooring

These instructions apply to all Godfrey Hirst hybrid floors. Please refer to the product packaging or specification sheet for specific product locking system types.
Godfrey Hirst recommends installation be carried out by a professional flooring installer.
Warning
Prior to any take-up or removal of floor coverings, adhesives, or underlay, you should be certain these do not contain asbestos. If it is known or suspected the previous flooring, adhesive or underlay contains asbestos, you should avoid creating dust, and the previous flooring and/ or components should only be removed by an appropriately licensed asbestos removal contractor.

General

1. Inspect product in good lighting conditions to ensure it is correct (color, quality, and quantity) as ordered. Open boxes cannot be returned. Godfrey Hirst’s hybrid flooring is for interior use only.
2. Note locking systems on product packaging or specification sheet.
3. Generally, Godfrey Hirst’s hybrid flooring does not need to be acclimatized. However, if boxes are exposed to extreme temperatures (under 5°C or over 50°C) within the 12  hours prior to installation, unopened boxes should be acclimatized for a minimum of 12 hours at a temperature between 18-27°C and relative humidity between 30-60%. This temperature and humidity range is to be maintained before, during, and after installation. Packs should be stacked flat on the floor during acclimatization and not be opened until the day of installation.
4. The subfloor must be solid, level (2mm over 1000mm), dry and clean. Godfrey Hirst hybrid flooring can be installed over most existing floorcoverings (e.g. ceramic tiles, linoleum, PVC, etc.) provided the floor is sound, smooth, flat, clean, and dry and in the case of ceramics in a residential installation, grout line tolerances are no more than 3mm wide and 3mm deep. Otherwise, grout joints should be filled to the level of the tiles with a suitable leveler.
5. Install a plastic sheet over rough subfloors such as chipboard to ensure the product’s backing does not get caught on the rough subfloor and provides the required movement capability required for a floating floor.
6. Minimum 10mm expansion gaps to be provided at all fixed vertical surfaces (including around cabinetry, island benches, and all fixed furniture).
7. Check each plank for visual defects and locking system integrity in optimal lighting before and during installation. Clean any debris out of locks before installation. Always use planks from several packs to randomize distribution and inspect each plank to get the best balanced visual installation. Always work from two or more packs at a time to ensure good color and grain mix. Never install defective products. Installation is recognized as acceptance of all visual defects.
8. Boards can be cut with the score-and-snap method for straight cuts, and with clippers for complex cuts. If cutting boards use any type of saw, dust extraction and/or respiratory protection must be used.
9. Skirting boards or Godfrey Hirst scotia and/or end caps will be needed to cover the perimeter expansion gap. Alternately, the skirting boards can be undercut. Fixings should be to the wall only, never directly to the floor. Silicone or caulking compound should not be used. Godfrey Hirst has water-resistant accessories to match/complement the hybrid flooring.
10. The minimum width of boards for the first and last rows is 50mm. The end stagger of joins in rows should be minimum of 300mm.
11. Ensure that the first 3-4 rows are checked for straightness using a string line. Continue to check for straightness at all stages of the installation.
12. Godfrey Hirst hybrid floors are extremely stable and can install in individual rooms up to 20m long and 15m wide. In the complex or multi-room installation, internal expansion joins at doorways/thresholds are required.

Wet Area Installation

If your Godfrey Hirst hybrid flooring is being installed in a wet area:

• Check with your builder to ensure product suitability/ compliance with your local building code.
• Prior to installation of the hybrid flooring, please refer to the country of installation building code requirements. Australia, please refer to National Construction Code Part 3.8.1 and AS3740 [Waterproofing of Wet Areas within Residential Buildings]. New Zealand, please refer to Acceptable Solution E3/AS1, Amendment 7, November 2021.
• Free-standing bathtubs should not be installed on a hybrid floor as it needs to float.
• If a floor waste is installed in the area a hybrid floor is not suitable as it needs to float.
• Following the instructions set out in the Installation Procedure above separate/isolate the wet area from the balance of the floor/area with a Godfrey Hirst t-mould, end cap or similar at the doorway or other adjoining areas and seal the perimeter of the wet area floor using a bathroom grade soft silicone to prevent moisture seeping under the floor.

NOTE: soft silicone is only acceptable in wet rooms less than 8m² in total and where the floor is isolated from the rest of the flooring as noted above.
Do not allow water to pool on the floor for long periods of time. Wet towels or bath mats should never be left on the floor to dry.

Please note:

1. Godfrey Hirst recommends that batches not be mixed. In circumstances where the installer has two or more batches, they must check to ensure they are compatible in design, color, surface texture, gloss level, dimensions, and locking system.
2. Although Godfrey Hirst hybrid floors are waterproof, they should not be used as a moisture barrier, and should not be installed in areas that have a continual risk of excessive moisture/flooding such as saunas or outdoor areas. If being installed in a wet area (e.g. bathroom, laundry, etc.) please refer to the Wet Area Installation note.
3. Hybrid floors must be installed using a floating floor system – they need to be able to move. Ensure expansion gaps allow for movement, and furniture items exceeding 200kg are not placed on the floor.
4. Insufficient expansion gaps, including in doorways and under trims, will cause a floor to potentially buckle, peak, cup, and/or separate, leading in most cases to floor failure.
5. Godfrey Hirst hybrid flooring should never be installed over any electrical radiant heating system – the speed of sudden temperature changes has the potential to negatively affect the floor. Godfrey Hirst’s hybrid flooring may, if properly installed, be installed over hydronic underfloor radiant heating systems.
6. Uneven subfloors can cause the locking system to break and/or the floor to sound dumb, or become noisy, and will cause early deterioration and/or failure of the floor.
7. Godfrey Hirst hybrid floors are not recommended for hairdressing salons.
8. Care and Maintenance Instructions must be followed to maintain the product warranty. Please ensure these instructions are left with the occupier.

Detailed Drawings

1. Perform preparation works including (but not limited to) any leveling, and undercutting of door jambs, and/or skirting boards.

2. Hybrid floors are normally installed adjacent to the longest run where possible. Plan your installation, refer to note 8 below, which may necessitate trimming the first row.

3. Start in the left corner, and install the first row. Leave a minimum expansion gap of 10mm at ends and sides. The amount of expansion is dictated by the expected temperature fluctuations in the building. As a general rule, leave as much expansion as possible to allow for excessive temperature fluctuations.
   

4. Install the second row:
   Use the off-cut from the first row to start the second row. It must be >300mm, and not closer than 300mm from the end join in the previous row.
   Short side first, then slightly lift the row and engage the long side. Or, the long side first and sidestep the short side with a tapping tool.
   Long side first, then fold down and gently tap the end-join ensuring it is properly aligned.
   Check to be certain all planks are fully engaged; if slight gapping is noticed or the planks will not lay flat, simply disengage the long/ top side join and then carefully slide the short/end join apart. Do not pull up on this join as it will damage the locking mechanism. Reinstall the plank.

5. Continue laying the floor. Place wedges/packers to ensure the required expansion gap is respected.

6. At doorways: Uniclic ® Angle-Angle hybrid floors can be sidestepped. Engage the long side of the board and use a tapping block to engage the short end of the board. Trim the male part of the end and click on Unipush >300mm ® (Tap Fold-down) hybrid floors so the board can slide under the architrave. Use PVC glue for the trimmed join, engage the long side of the board and use a tapping block to engage the short end of the board. >300mm

7. At other fixed points, such as heater vents or fixed pipes, leave an expansion gap.

8. The final row must be a minimum of 50mm in width. Glue the last row’s end joins with PVC glue.
   

9. Internal expansion gaps are required at doorways/thresholds and rooms exceeding 20m x 15m.
   

10. Remove spacers/wedges from around the room and install skirting boards and/or Godfrey Hirst scotia and/or finishing trims (in accordance with Godfrey Hirst accessories installation guidelines). Never fix any trims directly to the floor and ensure fixing does not compromise expansion gaps. Silicone or caulking compound should not be used.

NOTE For Unipush®(Tap Fold-down) hybrid floors: If necessary, to disassemble your Godfrey Hirst Unipush ® (Tap Fold-down) hybrid >50mm floor, separate the whole row by lifting it up carefully at an angle. To separate the planks, leave them flat on the ground and slide them apart. If planks do not separate easily, you can slightly lift up the planks (5°) when sliding them apart.

Care & Maintenance

Congratulations on selecting a quality floor designed with easy care and maintenance in mind. To help enjoy the longevity of your floor for many years to come, follow these simple steps:
Cleaning & Care

1. Immediately – clean up any liquid or water-based spills or any other potentially staining marks using a dry clean cloth. Though Godfrey Hirst hybrid floors are waterproof, don’t leave liquid/water-based spills there just to test it. Godfrey Hirst floors are resistant to most spots and stains, however, some materials or colorants (such as tar, grease, oil, dyes, waxes, ballpoint, marker pens, or foods/beverages containing strong dyes as mustard, curry, cordial, coffee, tea, etc.) may under certain conditions migrate
   into the wear layer causing indelible stains.

2. Daily or as required – remove any loose dirt or grit which could damage the floor by sweeping with a soft dry broom or vacuum  (turning off the powerhead, if applicable).

3. Weekly – damp mop the floor using water and a PH-neutral cleaner to remove any footprints, dirt, and other stains or marks.

4. As required – stubborn scuffs and stains can easily be removed using a damp cloth or sponge with a diluted solution of methylated spirits. Ensure the methylated spirits is completely rinsed from the flooring.

5. Never use a steam-mop or steam-cleaner.

6. Never use abrasive cleaners, nylon scouring pads, steel wool, scouring powder, or bleach as they may damage the floor.

7. Never use oil, soap, wax, or polishes as these finishes may make the floor slippery and can leave a dull finish on the floor.

8. Place entrance mats (which must not have a rubber backing) at all external doors to trap dirt, sand, grit, moisture, and other substances from shoes:
   a. Double entrance mats are required for residential installations – 1 coarse external mat, and 1 medium internal mat.
   b. Triple commercial mats with a minimum walk-off zone of 3.5 meters are required for commercial installations – refer to mat manufacturer. Mats must be cleaned regularly.

9. Use non-staining felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture. Fit office furniture or any furniture with sharp edges or hard feet or castors with soft treads or castors. Chair pads should be used under desk chairs with castors.

10. Heavy objects (>200kg) should not be situated on any floating installation. This can lead to the floor failing to respond to contraction and expansion, which can cause squeaking, gapping and possible failure.

11. Never drag, slide or roll furniture or appliances across your floor. Protect the surface if using a trolley to move heavy objects.

12.  Floor-to-ceiling windows coupled with the Australian/New Zealand sun can create floor surface temperatures over 70°C. Godfrey Hirst hybrid flooring is manufactured to be stable in low and high temperatures (0-55°C). However, your floor should be protected from extreme temperatures and strong direct sunlight by the use of interior temperature and humidity control (recommended temperatures 10-30°C and relative humidity levels between 30% and 70%), window tinting, awnings, and/or curtains/
    blinds. Dramatic temperature changes and/or extreme humidity can cause joins to lip/gap and prolonged direct sunlight will cause fading.

13. Pet claws can scratch the flooring. Keep nails trimmed.

14. Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair can severely damage your floor. In areas of excessive traffic and wear, make use of runners or area rugs. Rugs should be cleaned regularly.

Maintenance

1. Hybrid floors are maintained by the above CLEANING & CARE instructions.
2. Hybrid floors cannot be sanded.

Commercial Installations – Additional maintenance may be required for commercial installations. A copy of the Godfrey Hirst Commercial Cleaning and Maintenance Guide for hybrid floors is available at www.ghcommercial.com

Godfrey Hirst Australia Pty Ltd
PO Box 93 Geelong Vic 3220
1300 444 778
Godfrey Hirst Floors New Zealand
142 Kerrs Road, Wiri, Manukau City 2241
Freecall (NZ) 0800 500 210
97837-0822. Details correct at time of publication
August 2022. Please see
www.godfreyhirst.com
for information updates.

References

• Commercial Floors, Carpet & Flooring Australia Mohawk Group, Godfrey Hirst, Feltex and IVC Commercial
• Residential Carpet & Flooring - Godfrey Hirst

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