STAINMASTER PetProtect SM100 Waterproof Laminate Flooring Instruction Manual
- June 15, 2024
- STAINMASTER
Table of Contents
STAINMASTER PetProtect SM100 Waterproof Laminate Flooring Instruction
Manual
Tools Required for Installation
Job Site
For more information, call 800-438-7668 or visit lowes.com
Site Requirements
Laminate is a durable floor covering, not intended as structural material.
Laminate requires a clean, dry, secure subfloor that meets building codes.
The following requirements are not intended to supersede federal, state or local building codes, but as with many other interior finish products, may require modifying existing structural components for successful installation. Owner assumes responsibility for compliance with all building codes.
Laminate floor is suitable for use in climate controlled (35-65% RH and 60- 85° F) indoor installations only and should not be installed over any floor with a sump pump or in a room with a floor drain. Laminate floor can be installed above, on or below grade.
A moisture test is strongly recommended to determine if high moisture exists in the subfloor. When using a calcium chloride moisture test for concrete subfloors (ASTM F1869), values must be ≤ 5 lbs/1000ft²/24-hr or <80% RH with an in situ probe (ASTM F2170). Moisture readings of wood subfloors must be ≤ 12%.
Acceptable job site conditions, including relative humidity and subfloor moisture conditions, must be maintained throughout the lifetime of the flooring.
Laminate flooring is installed as a floating floor and requires the use of T-moldings in doorways 4 ft (1.22m) or less and in rooms 40 feet (12.2 m) or larger in length or width. Floor movement must not be constrained by glue, nails, screws, hardware or other fixed obstructions.
This product must be installed in accordance with these installation instructions.
A) Remove carpet and padding. Also remove any wood flooring installed on
concrete. Do not remove products unless they are asbestos-free.
Suitable subfloors for Laminate Flooring are:
Existing floor surfaces including hardwood floors, linoleum, resilient vinyl,
PVC (plastic floor surfaces must be permanently attached to the subfloor).
B) Undercut door frame and wallbase. Slide the flooring at least 1/4”
underneath the door frame and wallbase. Also leave a concealed 3/8″ minimum
expansion space under each.
C) Remove bumps or peaks in subfloor and fill depressions with floor leveling
compound to ensure no more than 3/16″ unevenness per 10-foot span.
D) Acclimate unopened product before installation. If there is no time for
acclimation, there should be no more than a difference of 25° F and 20%
relative humidity between the stocking/transportation environment of the
flooring and the final installation environment of the flooring.
E) Clean debris from subfloor before installation.
F) If you choose to install additional underlayment, then STAINMASTER product
specific for Laminate is approved for use. Thoroughly clean the subfloor and
run the underlayment in the same direction as the flooring planks. The
underlayment should be butted side-by-side with no overlap. Tape seams.
G) For concrete subfloors, first install vapor barrier with overlapped seams
of 8″ or more.
Flooring Installation
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Inspect each plank. Floor should be installed blending planks from several cartons at the same time to ensure good color and shade mixture throughout the installation.
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For the first row, along straight walls, remove the tongue on all long side joints and on the short side of the 1st plank only.
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For uneven walls, trace contour on tongue-side of plank and cut.
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Assemble the first row tongue side toward wall. Insert the end tongue into the end groove and rotate downward to assemble. Keep the planks aligned and the joints closed.
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Two spacers thick side to thick side = 3/8″.
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Provide a 3/8″ space for expansion on all sides. First piece must be at least 12″ long. Start new rows with pieces trimmed from previous row. Ensure at least a 12″ end joint offset.
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Align the tongues into the grooves of the long and short sides of the planks.
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Install the long side first by placing a tapping block no closer than 8″ from either end and tap lightly along the long side until the joint is closed tightly. To lock the short side, tap the end using the tapping block into a locked position.
Note: Uneven tapping or use of excessive force may damage the joint. -
When measuring final plank in a row, ensure expansion gap is included.
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For the last row, align the plank to be used on top of the 2nd to last row. Using a full width plank as a spacer, trace wall contour and cut plank.
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For the last row, install the long side tongue into the groove with the end joint aligned. Using a pull bar and hammer, work evenly along the length of the plank and lightly tap the joint closed.
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After tapping the long side joint closed, tap the short side closed, using a tapping block or a pull bar.
Installation Under Doorway Frames -
Slide plank under pre-cut door frame.
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Tap the long-side joint closed first. Then tap the end joint closed.
Installation Around Fixed Objects (such as pipes) -
Allow 3/8″ expansion space around pipes or other fixed objects.
Finishing the Installation -
Remove all spacers.
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Ensure floor is able to “float”. Do not nail trim to floor.
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Create a watertight seal by applying flexible 100% silicone sealant to the entire perimeter of the installation. DO NOT use acrylic sealant.
- First fill all expansion spaces with 3/8″ compressible PE foam backer rod and cover with silicone sealant.
- Prior to installing the moldings, apply silicone sealant to the portion of the molding or transition that will contact directly with the laminate flooring surface.
- Install moldings. Immediately wipe away any excess silicone sealant.
- Apply silicone sealant at connections to doorframes or any other fixed objects.
Precautionary Measures
Power tools should be equipped with a dust collector. If high dust level are encountered use an appropriate NIOSH designated dust mask. Avoid dust contact with skin and eyes. First Aid Measures in case of irritations: In case of irritation flush eyes and skin with water for at least 15 minutes.
ATTN: Installers — Caution: Wood Dust
Sawing, sanding and machining wood products can produce wood dust. Airborne
wood dust cause respiratory, skin and eye irritation.
The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified wood
dust as a nasal carcinogen in humans
IMPORTANT HEALTH NOTICE FOR MINNESOTA RESIDENTS ONLY: THESE BUILDING
MATERIALS EMIT FORMALDEHYDE. EYE, NOSE, AND THROAT IRRITATION, HEADACHE,
NAUSEA AND A VARIETY OF ASTHMA-LIKE SYMPTOMS, INCLUDING SHORTNESS OF BREATH,
HAVE BEEN REPORTED AS A RESULT OF FORMALDEHYDE EXPOSURE. ELDERLY PERSONS AND
YOUNG CHILDREN, AS WELL AS ANYONE WITH A HISTORY OF ASTHMA, ALLERGIES, OR LUNG
PROBLEMS, MAY BE AT GREATER RISK. RESEARCH IS CONTINUING ON THE POSSIBLE LONG-
TERM EFFECTS OF EXPOSURE TO FORMALDEHYDE. REDUCED VENTILATION MAY ALLOW
FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER CONTAMINANTS TO ACCUMULATE IN THE INDOOR AIR. HIGH
INDOOR TEMPERATURES AND HUMIDITY RAISE FORMALDEHYDE LEVELS.
WHEN A HOME IS TO BE LOCATED IN AREAS SUBJECT TO EXTREME SUMMER TEMPERATURES,
AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM CAN BE USED TO CONTROL INDOOR TEMPERATURE LEVELS.
OTHER MEANS OF CONTROLLED MECHANICAL VENTILATION CAN BE USED TO REDUCE LEVELS
OF FORMALDEHYDE AND OTHER INDOOR AIR CONTAMINANTS. IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS
REGARDING THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF FORMALDEHYDE, CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR OR CALL
LOCAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT.
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.