MSI MS001 Premium Luxury Vinyl Flooring Instruction Manual

www.msistone.com
Premium Luxury Vinyl Flooring Installation Instructions
for MSI’s Everlife 2MM and 2.5MM glue-down products

General Information

It is important that MSI’s Everlife glue-down flooring products maintain proper temperature before, during, and after installation in order to minimize dimensional changes. The subfloor, all flooring material, and the adhesive must be conditioned at a constant temperature between 65˚F (18˚C) and 85˚F (29˚C) for 48 hours prior to, during, and 48 hours after installation. Thereafter, maintain a room temperature between 55˚F (13˚C) and 95˚F (35˚C). When using flooring from two or more cartons, make sure production and film dates found on the carton meet requirements. This information is on the outside end of each carton.

Tools and materials

• MSI’s MS001 or MS007 adhesive (only)
• MSI recommended trowel (1/16” x 1/32” x 1/32” for MS001 and MS007)
• 100 pound, 3 section roller
• Chalk Line
• Carpenter square
• Utility Knife
• Cutting board
• Tape measure
• In Situ probes (ASTM F2170) and a Moisture Meter

Preparing the Area

• Remove all furniture, appliances, and fixtures from the room.
• Remove all binding strips or other restrictive molding from doorways, walls, etc.
• Undercut wood door casings where possible so that flooring can be slid under it

Subfloor Preparation

Asbestos Warning
WARNING! DO NOT MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER ADHESIVES. Installed resilient floor covering products and the asphaltic or cutback adhesives used to adhere them may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. The products in this carton DO NOT contain asbestos or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust or inhalation of asbestos/crystalline dust as they can cause 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 previously installed 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 the removal and disposal of material. See current edition of the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (WWW.RFCI.com) publication “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings” for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures.
Subfloor Preparation
o All subfloor surfaces must be *flat, clean, dry, smooth, and free of movement.
o Flat within 3/16” in a 10’ radius and or 1/8” in a 6’ radius.
o Sand high areas or joints and fill low areas with a high compressive strength Portland base compound.
o Completely remove all residual adhesive with an approved method on previously covered subfloors or cover them with MSI’s MS005 Adhesive Encapsulator, if needed. Never use solvent‐based adhesive removers.
o Dry – Test and record moisture content results. DO NOT INSTALL FLOORING IF MOISTURE TEST RESULTS EXCEED RECOMMENDED LIMITS. (WWW.RFCI.com)

Concrete Subfloors

1. Concrete subfloors must be dry, smooth, and free from dust, solvent, paint, wax and grease, asphalt sealing compounds, and oil or other materials. The surface must be hard and dense, and free from powder or flaking. If surface is dusty but meets all other requirements, use MSI’s MS003 Floor Primer to prepare the surface for adhesive application.
   Note: New concrete slabs must be thoroughly dry (at least sixty days) and completely cured. Curing agents, surface hardeners and other additives may cause adhesive bonding failure. These should be removed by sanding or grinding.

2. Moisture in concrete subfloors can create high moisture vapor emission levels, hydrostatic pressure, and high alkalinity levels. This combination is highly corrosive and damaging to flooring, over time. To avoid this, ensure that concrete subfloors are constructed according to the American Concrete Institution’s guidelines (ACI’s 302.2 Guide). To check current conditions, a RH test using in situ Probes (ASTM F2170) is necessary. If the level of hydrostatic pressure is over 90% RH, you must use MSI’s MS007 Adhesive (up to 95% RH) for the install. There also is calcium chloride testing (ASTM F1869) but the in situ Probe (ASTM F2170) is the preferred test. Lightweight concrete (minimum density of 90 lbs. per cubic foot) is acceptable if installed according to the manufacturer’s instructions and primed with MSI’s MS003 Floor Primer.

3. If there is old adhesive present from a previous install, you must remove all surface residue. Once you remove all surface residue, use MSI’s MS005 Adhesive Encapsulator to prepare the subfloor for the new adhesive and a proper bond.

Wood Subfloors
NOTE: As with many other interior finish products, modification of existing structural components may be required for a successful installation.

1. Nail or screw any areas that are loose or squeak. Wood panels should exhibit an adequate fastening pattern. They should be glued, screwed, or nailed as the manufacturer requires, using an acceptable pattern, typically, 6” along bearing edges and 12” along intermediate supports. Flatten edge swell as necessary and replace any waterdamaged, swollen, or delaminated subflooring or underlayment.
2. Wood subfloor panels should be a minimum of 1” or thicker and free of vertical deflection. All fasteners must be flush with the subfloor panels.
3. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene membrane is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth. The crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist should be no less than 18” and perimeter vent spacing should be equal to 1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space area to provide cross ventilation.

Floor Layout
First, determine the installation direction normally installed running in the long in the center of the floor at each end of the marks. of the planks. Generally, planks are direction of the main room. Place a mark the room and snap a chalk line between

Original Center Line

To avoid small narrow planks along the walls, divide the distance from the center line to the wall by the plank width (6”).
If the remainder is less than 3 inches, adjust the center line one half width of a plank in either direction. This will provide a balanced layout with larger cut pieces at the wall.

Finished Flooring Installation

Using the provided trowel adapter, spread the MSI adhesive over one half of the floor up to the center line. Do not apply excessive adhesive. Allow the adhesive to dry to tack before installing the plank (see MS001 adhesive pail label for clarifications). Allow the adhesive to dry completely to tack prior to flooring installation.
*MSI’s MS007 adhesive is for commercial installations and/or installations with 90% – 95% RH in situ Probes readings, etc.
Start installing the plank along the center line. Complete each row, including cut pieces at the wall, before proceeding to the next row. Offset end joints by at least six inches and position planks in a random fashion, working out of three-to four cartons for the best appearance. Position each plank lightly against the previous one by pressing it firmly into place without sliding it. Remember to avoid small cuts of less than 6 inches at the ends of each row and place the cut ends towards the wall.
If it is necessary to adjust or remove a plank, use a heat gun to first warm the plank. Complete the opposite side of the room in the same fashion as the previous side.
Cutting a plank to fit
The last row of planks will need to be cut to fit to walls and other vertical surfaces.
Straight Cuts : place a loose plank directly over the top of the last full installed plank, making sure to line up all edges.
Using a plank to measure the distance from the wall to the last installed plank, position the edge against the wall and mark the loose plank with a pencil where it meets the installed plank at the opposite edge from the wall.

Next, place the marked plank on a cutting board. Using a carpenter square as a guide, score the pencil line carefully with a sharp knife, then break/snap (or cut) the plank along the score mark.
CAUTION: Keep fingers away from the knife blade to avoid injury. Install plank with the cut edge toward the wall.
Irregular cuts: Scribe plank to fit irregular shapes such as door trims, pipes, etc., and cut with a utility knife.

Immediately after Installation

Roll the entire floor with a 100 pound 3 section roller. Restrict to light traffic for the first 24 hours. Replace the base moldings and return appliances and furniture to the room by rolling or sliding them over strips of hardboard. Seal all areas that may be exposed to surface spills with silicone caulking.
Plank repairs

• Warm the plank with a heat gun
• Using a sharp utility knife, cut through a corner of the damaged plank taking care not to cut into the subfloor below.
• Lift the end of the plank and continue heating
• As sufficient heat is provided the plank will release from the adhesive
• Lift out the entire plank and warm the exposed adhesive
• Install the new plank
• Set the new plank firmly into place with a hand roller
• The repair is complete

Tips & Warnings

• Sweep regularly, with a soft bristle broom.
• Use felt protectors under heavy pieces of furniture and chairs, and regularly clean them.
• Use protective area rug mats at all exterior entrances. Do not use mats or area rug cushions constructed of vinyl, latex, or rubber-backings.
• Spiked heels or shoes in need of repair will severely damage your floor.
• Replace hard plastic, metal casters or wheels on furniture with soft rubber casters or by using a protective mat under the casters.
• The sun’s UV rays can change the color of your floor.
• Keep animal nails trimmed.
• Protect your floor when using a dolly for moving furniture or appliances. Never slide or roll heavy furniture or appliances across the floor.

*Exterior walk-off area rug mats should be routinely maintained to avoid becoming a soil source.

WARRANTY COVERAGE

Manufacturing Defect: During the period of the warranty, this product will be free from manufacturing defects.
Wear Resistance: During the period of the warranty, this product’s wear layer will not wear through to the decorative layer under normal use. Excessive wear and improper maintenance or care is not a defect in the wear layer or product.
What is NOT Covered by this Warranty (item list is not exhaustive)

• Improper Installation: Material that is not installed in accordance with these Installation Instructions does not reflect a manufacturing related defect. Damage or failure caused by tools and materials other than those recommended by MSI
• Installer workmanship.
• Improper maintenance, which results in loss of gloss level.
• Damage resulting from use of strong detergents, chemicals, paints, dyes, mats, fertilizers, or other similar materials.
• Damage caused by moving appliances or heavy furniture without protecting the floor. (Always protect floor by using protective covering when moving heavy objects.
• Damage or scratches resulting from accidents, casualty events, abuse or improper usage (including damage from pet claws, teeth, urine etc.). Accidents, abuse and improper usage are defined as, but are not limited to damage caused by: casters on furniture, rotating beater bars on vacuum cleaners, burns, cuts, impact from heavy and sharp objects, narrow or spike heels, cleats, etc., as well as, damage resulting from unprotected furniture legs.
• Damage caused by leaks from appliances or plumbing.
• Construction damage after installation.
• Installation-related errors or damage including improper conditioning of jobsite and flooring materials.
• Fading, discoloration, or other damage due to excessive temperatures or sunlight. Radiant heat must not exceed 85 ° F (29°C) and be approved by the manufacturer for the use of their product with resilient vinyl flooring applications.
• Problems or damage due to excessive moisture or hydrostatic pressure from the subfloor.
• Discoloration caused by use of vinyl, latex, or rubber-backed floor mats. Note: some synthetic backed carpets contain latex in the manufacturing process that may discolor vinyl. Always use mats marked as “Non-staining”.
• Discoloration caused by rubber pads, rubber wheels, rubber tires, rubber rollers, automotive tires, etc.
• Flooring installed on stairs is excluded from warranty coverage.
• Installation of residential product in a commercial environment.

If the product fails to perform as stated in the warranty, MSI reserves the right to have the product inspected by a MSI- appointed representative. Should product be determined to be defective, MSI reserves the right to either repair or replace the defective area with the same color, design and grade product, if available. If product is unavailable or discontinued, MSI reserves the right to select and supply similar material.

• If repairs or replacement of a section is deemed necessary, all items must be cleared from the affected area subsequent to the original installation. The cost associated with the removal of those items will not be credited or reimbursed.
• Product costs will be covered for the length of warranty.
• Labor costs are not covered.
• Warranty coverage for the replacement floor will be limited to the remaining portion of the original warranty.
• Any additional claims for loss of profit/incidental losses due to defective product will not be considered. Some examples of incidental damages are: replacement of subfloors or underlayment, trim moldings, disconnecting/reconnecting appliances, moving of furniture or other losses deemed incidental by MSI.

Failure to follow these procedures may result in voiding some or all of the warranty. This limited warranty is not transferable and extends only to the original end user. Please note: Some jurisdictions do not allow exclusion or limitation of incidental or consequential damages or limitations on how long an implied warranty lasts, so the above limitation and exclusion may not apply to you.
This warranty gives you specific rights and you may also have other rights, which vary from state to state.

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