Glue-Down Installation Instructions

General

The installation of Paramount Vinyl Floors is straightforward and similar to the installation procedures that apply to all quality resilient tile floors. Good preparation is essential for a trouble-free installation. Do not install Paramount Vinyl Floors until jobsite testing and subfloor preparations are finished and the work of all other trades is complete. Site conditions must comply with the relevant building codes and local, state and national regulations.

  • Paramount Vinyl Floors is recommended for use over properly prepared concrete, suspended wood, metal and other suitable substrates.
  • Paramount Vinyl Floors can be used with radiant heating systems (maximum subfloor surface temperature of 81° F).
  • Paramount Vinyl Floors is not suitable for external installation or unheated locations.
  • Paramount Vinyl Floors tiles, adhesive, jobsite and subfloor must be acclimated to a stable condition before installation.
  • Following installation, Paramount Vinyl Floors should be protected from traffic for 24 hours, point loads and rolling traffic for 48 hours and should not be washed for 5 days.
  • The flooring should remain at a temperature between 55°-81° F (13°-27° C) during its service life.
  • Always follow other manufacturers’ written recommendations when using their proprietary materials for subfloor preparation.

A. Material Receiving, Handling & Storage

  1. Immediately remove any shrink wrapping and verify materials delivered are correct style, color, quantity and size.
  2. Report discrepancies immediately to Paramount Vinyl Floors
  3. Store all materials off the floor (keep cartons flat) in a weather-tight enclosure between 55°-81° F (13°-27° C).
  4. Acclimate tile, adhesive and jobsite to a stable condition between 64°-81° F (18°-27° C) and 50% +/- 10% RH for 48 hours before, during and after installation. Acclimate all materials onsite and off stack tile cartons to a single layer keeping cartons flat. Temporary heating and cooling should be used if permanent HVAC is not operational.
  5. Tiles should not be stored close to exterior walls, in direct sunlight or near HVAC vents.

B. Jobsite Testing

  1. Before jobsite testing, the building envelope must be sealed (walls, roofing, windows, doorways etc).
  2. Anticipated environmental conditions must be maintained or 75°F +/- 10°F (24°C +/- 6°C) and 50% +/- 10% RH a minimum of 48 hours before and during testing (ASTM F 710).
  3. Test sites must be properly prepared and protected for the duration of testing to achieve valid results.
  4. Surface Flatness for all Subfloors: The surface shall be flat to 1/8” in 10 ft (3 mm in 3 m).To check flatness, place a 10 ft straight edge on the surface and measure the gap or use another suitable method.
  5. Concrete Subfloors:
    1. Concrete subfloors must be finished and cured without additives, curing compounds, hardeners or surface treatments that may prevent proper bonding of the flooring materials (ACI 302.1 and ASTM F710).
    2. Randomly check concrete subfloor for porosity using the drop water test. Place a 1 inch diameter drop of water directly onto the concrete subfloor. If the water droplet does not dissipate within 60 to 90 seconds the subfloor is considered non-porous.
    3. Concrete subfloors must have a minimum compressive strength of 3000 psi.
    4. Concrete subfloors shall not consist of lightweight concrete or gypsum with less than 100 lbs. /cubic foot density.
    5. Moisture Testing: Perform either the preferred In-situ Relative Humidity (RH) Test(ASTM F2170) or the acceptable Moisture Vapor Emission Rate (MVER) Test (ASTM F1869). Internal RH readings above 80% or MVER readings above 5 lb/1000 SF/24 hours require a moisture suppressant system.
    6. Alkalinity: Must test surface alkalinity (ASTM F710). A 7.0 to 10.0 pH is acceptable.
      Reduce higher pH by mopping on a vinegar/water solution: 1 pint vinegar to 2 gallons water.
  6. Wood Subfloors: Wood Subfloors and underlayment panels shall have the moisture content tested using a suitable wood pin meter. Readings between the wood subfloor and underlayment panels should be within 3% and have a maximum moisture content of 14% or less. Effective moisture control in basements and crawlspaces is essential for achieving a successful long term installation.

C. Moisture Suppressant System

Concrete subfloors that exceed 80% RH or 5 lbs MVER require a Moisture Suppressant System.

Due to complexities associated with moisture vapor transmission, emissions and movement of soluble salts (alkalinity) in concrete subfloors, we do not offer, recommend or warranty a specific solution for excess moisture in concrete slabs. However, there are many companies that offer solutions with warranties for excess moisture in concrete slabs.

Paramount Vinyl Floors suggests that you reference the current ASTM F710, “Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring” and contact one or more of the following or other moisture suppressant system suppliers for assistance:

Ardex (724) 203-5000 www.ardex.com
Koester American Corp. (757) 425-1206 www.koesterusa.com
Mapei (800) 426-2734 www.mapei.com
Uzin Ltd. (800) 505-4810 www.ufloorsystems.com

D. Subfloor Preparation

Careful subfloor preparation is vital for an excellent floor appearance and good tile adhesion. The subfloor must be smooth, firm, flat, clean, dry, free from defects and fit for purpose. A suitable smoothing compound should be used to ensure that no irregularities show through to the surface of the finished floor. In all cases, the subfloor must meet the moisture and pH requirements before installation.

Below and On-grade concrete subfloors must have a suitable vapor retarder properly installed beneath the slab. Crawlspaces and basements directly beneath the new floor installation should be maintained with a relative humidity +/- 10% of the room relative humidity where the flooring is installed. This can be accomplished by proper ventilation and air circulation or using a dehumidifier. Always follow other manufacturers’ written recommendations for the use and installation of their proprietary surface preparation materials.

  1. Record site conditions, test results and corrective action(s).
  2. Subfloor must be clean (free of dirt, sealers, curing, hardening or parting compounds or any substance that may stain or prevent adhesion), smooth, flat, sound, fit for purpose, free of movement, excessive moisture and high alkalinity.
  3. Slick surfaces such as power troweled concrete shall be profiled to allow for a mechanical bond between the adhesive and subfloor.
  4. Remove existing resilient floor covering, 100% traces of old adhesives, paint or other contaminants by scraping, sanding, grinding, shot blasting or scarifying the substrate.
    The use of adhesive removers or solvents in the abatement or removal of existing or old adhesives is prohibited and may void the warranty.
    WARNING: ASBESTOS & SILICA – Refer to the current Resilient Floor Covering Institute(RFCI) document “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Existing Resilient Floor Coverings” for guidance.
  5. Perform corrective actions necessary for elevated moisture or high alkalinity conditions.
  6. Surface Flatness for all Subfloors: The surface shall be flat to 1/8” in 10 ft (3 mm in 3 m).Bring high spots level by sanding, grinding etc. and fill low spots. Smooth surface to prevent any irregularities or roughness from telegraphing through the new flooring.
  7. Leveling and Patching:
    • For concrete subfloors, use only high quality Portland cement based materials (minimum 3000 psi compressive strength according to ASTM C109). Caution: Do not lightly skim coat highly polished or slick power troweled concrete surfaces. A thin film of floor patch will not bond to a slick subfloor and may become a bond breaker causing tiles to release at the interface of the subfloor and patching material.
    • Wood subfloors require an underlayment (double layer construction) with a minimum total thickness of 1” (25 mm). Use minimum ¼” (6 mm) thick APA rated “underlayment grade” plywood with a fully sanded face or other underlayment panel that is appropriate for the intended usage. Install and prepare panels and seams according to the manufacturers’ instructions.

E. Installation Procedures

Before starting the Paramount Vinyl Floors installation, ensure the following are satisfactorily completed. Start of flooring installation indicates acceptance of current subfloor conditions and full responsibility for completed work.

    • Acclimation: Acclimate tiles (keep cartons flat), adhesive, jobsite and subfloor to a stable condition between 64°-81° F (18°-27° C) and 50% +/- 10% RH for a minimum of 48 hours before and after installation.
    • Flooring Materials: Check quantity of Paramount Vinyl Floors tile and adhesive are sufficient for area to be installed. Check tile for visual defects before installation. Installation of flooring acknowledges acceptance of materials.
    • Expansion joints, isolation joints, or other moving joints are incorporated into concrete floor slabs in order to permit movement without causing random cracks in the concrete.These joints must be honored and not be filled with underlayment products or other materials, and floor coverings must not be laid over them. Expansion joint covering systems should be detailed by the architect or engineer based upon intended usage and aesthetic considerations.
    • Surface cracks, depressions, grooves, control joints or other non-moving joints, and other irregularities shall be smoothed or filled with high quality Portland cement based patching or underlayment compound for smoothing or filling, or both. Patching or underlayment compound shall be moisture, mildew, and alkali-resistant, and shall provide a minimum of 3000 psi compressive strength after 28 days, when tested in accordance with Test Method C 109 or Test Method C 472, whichever is appropriate.
    • Subfloor Preparation: Make sure all surfaces to be covered are completely clean, smooth and dry and that all necessary subfloor preparation has been properly completed and documented.
    • Inspect Substrate: Perform final acceptance inspection of substrate.
    • Adjacent Surfaces Protection: Protect adjacent work areas and finish surfaces from damage during product installation.
    • Flooring Protection: Paramount Vinyl Floors should be the last material installed to prevent other trades from disrupting the installation and adhesive set-up or damaging the floor.

Paramount Vinyl Floors comes in plank and custom sizes as specified. Install tiles running in the same direction (block or staggered), or as specified. Paramount Vinyl Floors plank flooring should have end joints offset by at least 6” and staggered to create a random appearance that avoids alignment of end joints. Paramount Vinyl Floors can be laid out to run either parallel or diagonal to the room or primary wall.

The following conditions must be given consideration when determining how Paramount Vinyl Floors will be installed.

Layout shall be specified by end user, architect or designer.

  1. Establish center marks and determine start point to balance installation in room and have equal tile widths on opposite sides of room. This can be facilitated by dry laying tiles and marking base lines.
  2. Wet-Set Application: The room layout must be set-up so that all flooring can be installed while staying off freshly installed tiles. This will minimize tile shifting, adhesive displacement and wet adhesive from oozing up and getting onto the face of the tiles. This can be accomplished by creating work zones outlined with chalk lines to spread adhesive aligned with established base lines. Create work zones that are no wider than the installers comfortable arm reach and in multiples of the tile width.
  3. All Installations: Spread only the amount of adhesive that can be covered within the working time specific to the adhesive being used. Skinned over or dried adhesive must be scraped off the subfloor and replaced with new adhesive before continuing the installation.

When all preparatory work is satisfactorily completed, including dry fitting cut tiles (if applicable), proceed with installation. Inspect each tile for visual defects before installing. Installation of flooring implies acceptance of materials.

F. Adhesives

Paramount Vinyl Floors recommends the following adhesives:

The Paramount Vinyl Floors PVF-4055 is popular as a universal PSA, and can be used with vinyl resilient flooring and carpet tiles. It offers extended working time after drying which makes it ideal for use over non-porous substrates.

Download PVF-4055 Adhesive Technical Data Sheet »
Download MSDS Safety Data Sheet »

The Paramount Vinyl Floors PVF-6002 has higher shear strength for installing vinyl flooring in areas of high traffic and where dimensional stability may be an issue.

Download PVF-6002 Adhesive Technical Data Sheet »
Download MSDS Safety Data Sheet »

G. Post installations instructions

  1. Clean excess adhesive as you install before it is allowed to dry. Use a soapy clean soft cloth to remove wet excess of wet set adhesive and use a clean soft cloth moistened with Denatured alcohol to remove wet 2-Part Adhesive. Dried wet set adhesive can be removed by carefully scraping it off the tile, or by using a clean cloth moistened with mineral spirits. Two Part adhesive allowed to dry on the tile surface may not be removable.
  2. Clean up all debris as you work.
  3. Wait 24 hours for normal foot traffic and wait 48 hours for point and rolling loads after installation.
  4. Wait 5 days after installation before washing finished floor.
  5. Special Considerations:
  6. Radiant Heat: Radiant heating systems must be switched off for a minimum of 48 hours before, during and 48 hours after the Paramount Vinyl Floors flooring installation. Use supplemental heat, if necessary to maintain a stable room temperature. When the radiant heat system is re-started, the temperature should be raised no more than 1° – 2° F (1° C) per day until reaching the desired temperature. The flooring surface should not go below 55° F (13° C) and not exceed 81° F (27° C) during its’ service life. Do not use wet set adhesive over floors with radiant Heating.
  7. Existing Resilient Flooring: Existing resilient flooring and adhesive should be mechanically removed. Do not use adhesive removers or solvents.
  8. Asbestos Abatement removal: We recommend following the Resilient Floor Covering Institute Guidelines for removal of existing tile and mastic. Do not use adhesive removers or solvents. Any mastic remover residue including Soy or Citrus products can attack and break down the new adhesive resulting in tiles releasing. Floor covering warranties do not cover instances where adhesive removers or solvents cause damage to the flooring or installation failure.
  9. Concrete Curing, Sealing, Hardening or Parting Compounds: We recommend wet curing concrete for 7 days if at all possible to avoid the use of Curing, Sealing, Hardening or Parting Compounds. If a chemical compound must be used, prior to use, obtain a written performance guarantee from the concrete compound manufacturer stating that the application of their product will not interfere with the adhesion of acrylic or polyurethane adhesives to the concrete slab or obtain their guaranteed removal process.
  10. Expansion Joints: Expansion joints are incorporated into concrete floor slabs in order to permit movement without causing cracks in the concrete. These joints must not be filled with underlayment products or other materials, and floor coverings must not be laid over them. Expansion joint covers should be detailed by the architect or engineer based upon intended usage and aesthetic considerations.
  11. Protecting New Installations: New Installations must be protected while the adhesive sets. Early foot traffic, point or rolling loads can cause adhesive displacement or breaking of the bond between the adhesive and the tile or substrate.

To get your new Paramount Vinyl Floors floor looking its best, and to keep it that way we recommend the following initial maintenance procedures. For detailed recommendations, see the maintenance Instructions.

*Use non-staining matting system at exterior doors that is appropriate for soil load and weather conditions.

*Use appropriate floor protectors, glides and wheels and do not drag or slide objects across the surface of the floor.

*Do not use abrasive cleaners that can scratch the floor surface or detergent cleaners that leave a residue.

SAFETY FIRST: Before commencing work, put out signs or safety cones to warn that cleaning is in progress.

Day 1

  • Stay off the new floor

Day 2 to 4

  • Dust mop, sweep or vacuum the floor to remove loose dirt and grit
  • Lightly damp mop (well wrung out mop) floor with properly diluted Neutral cleaner solution

Day 5

  • Choose from multiple routine maintenance options to suit individual circumstances and end user preference
  • Apply floor finish if desired

Routine Maintenance

Effective maintenance includes promptly removing all spills and then thoroughly cleaning with a diluted neutral cleaner or cleaner/maintainer solution. Failure to establish an effective routine maintenance program will not only detract from the appearance of the floor but may shorten its useful life.

Maintenance Precautions and Safety Information

A slippery floor can cause accidents. This can be caused by poor maintenance, surface contamination, spills or when the floor is wet. All hard floors can be slippery when wet. Ensure the floor is clean and dry before resuming use. Use warning signs in commercial areas.

Note: The optional MPS Urethane coating does not require dressing. Finishes should not be buffed with any pad more abrasive than a red 3M pad.

Loose-Lay Installation Instructions

Material Acclimation

At least 48 hours prior to installation, Paramount Loose-Lay must be
rested flat and allowed to acclimate at 67°F – 80°F.

Subfloor Preparation

Subfloor preparation must comply with applicable ASTM standards or other applicable National Standards and Building Codes for the installation of Resilient Flooring and in accordance with the following guidelines.

The subfloor must be dry, smooth, clean and dust-free.

Note: Solvents and other abrasive chemicals used to clean or remove subfloor contaminants can damage the backing of Paramount Loose-Lay and affect the product’s performance.

Old Adhesive residues

All adhesive residues from previous installations must be completely removed.

Damp Subfloors
Paramount Loose-Lay is to be installed on dry floors only.The floor must have a moisture reading of less than 95% RH. If sub floor moisture readings are above 95% RH then a moisture suppression system must be applied prior to installation.

Concrete Floors
All cracks and joints must be filled using a cement based patching compound and the floor needs to be level in accordance with the applicable standard.

Gypsum based concrete floors must be sealed with a compatible sealing compound/primer.

Mosaic/Terrazzo/Ceramics/Quarry Tiles
Grout lines must be leveled with a suitable smoothing compound. Any loose tile must be removed and filled with a suitable filling compound.

Wood Floors
Should be solid with minimal flexibility. Loose boards must be firmly fastened and gaps filled with a cement based patching compound . Where necessary, overlay floorboards with certified flooring underlayment.

Linoleum & Vinyl
Make sure these floors are solid; fix any loose tiles and remove any surface polish/sealer.

Painted Floors
Remove any loose paint or other finishes.

Underfloor Heating and Services

Paramount Loose-Lay is suitable over underfloor heating systems, as long as it is insulated from the heating system to ensure that the surface temperature does not rise above 27°C (80°F).

Note: The system must be switched off 48 hours before, during, and for 48 hours after installation.

Paramount Loose-Lay is recommended to go over access panels, provided the resultant subfloor complies with the building codes and Standards.

Installation

Paramount Loose-Lay can be installed on any subfloor; that is flat, level, smooth and dry, but need not be porous.

Paramount Loose-Lay must be fitted tight. Thresholds or openings require a 4” strip of double sided flooring tape or pressure sensitive adhesive. The tiles must be fitted tightly to the wall and to themselves.

The perimeter of the room requires a 4” strip of double sided flooring tape or pressure sensitive adhesive applied to the subfloor. For rooms larger than 150 ft², pressure sensitive adhesive should be applied to the four corners of every plank. The tiles are then fitted tightly across the room to the wall and to themselves.

In areas of high traffic it is strongly recommend installing tiles with full coverage of pressure sensitive adhesive.

In areas that are likely to be subject to high water spillage or extreme temperature fluctuations, the use of a full spread epoxy or urethane adhesive is recommended.

Any adhesive installed planks/tiles must be rolled with a 3 section 100 pound roller.

Maintenance:

Do not drag furniture over newly installed floor. Do not place heavy items on newly installed floor covering for at least 24 hours after completion of the installation.
Heavy furniture should be equipped with suitable non-staining, wide-bearing caster.
Excessive heat and direct sunlight light exposure can cause thermal degradation. To minimize potential effects on the floor covering please use all necessary precautions to block out direct sunlight exposure. Solvent, oil or petroleum based products can result in surface staining. Use a non-staining walk off mats. Rubber can discolor resilient floor coverings