| Installation
Instructions |
| Job Conditions
and Preparation |
| Storage |
RockWood Underlayment Panels must be stored indoors
to protect from rain, snow and extreme humidity levels. Panels should
be stacked squarely on 2 x 4 runners spaced every 16".
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| Acclimation
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Expansion and contraction is a natural characteristic
of any wood product. RockWood Underlayment Panels should be brought
to the job site at least 48 hours prior to installation and stacked
on end to allow them to acclimate to job site humidity levels.
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| Site Conditions |
The subfloor should be sound, flat, securely fastened
and at least 3/4" thick. The subfloor should also be dry and
free of oil, dirt, debris and deposits of paint, caulk or chemicals.
Do not use RockWood Underlayment Panels over strip wood floors that
are more than 3" wide. RockWood Underlayment Panels will not
correct structural problems.
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| Moisture |
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Job site moisture can cause underlayment to expand and peak at
the seams (joint telegraphing). Causes of moisture and dampness
can be, but are not limited to:
 Moisture
emitted from new foundation
Moisture
emitted from wet or green subfloor
Moisture
emitted from unventilated or uncovered crawl space
Leaks
in plumbing or drainage systems.
It is important to check the subfloor moisture content before installing
underlayment. The moisture content of the subfloor should not be
more than 15% or vary more than 3% from the moisture content of
the underlayment.
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Installation |
| Layout |
Starting
in a corner, RockWood Underlayment Panels should be installed in an
ashlar fashion, with end seams staggered by at least 18" to assure
that four corners never meet.
Offset panels a minimum of 6" from the end and side joints of
existing plywood subfloors.
Leave
1/8" to 1/4" expansion space against any vertical element,
i.e. walls, cabinets, fireplaces. At door jambs this spacing may be
achieved by undercutting the jamb.
Lightly
butt seams in the field, do not leave a gap or force edges together.
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| Nailing |
RockWood
Underlayment Panels should be fastened every 2" on the edges
and no further than every 4" in the field.
Fasteners
should be applied 1/2" from the edge at all seams.
Make
sure that the panel is always in firm contact with the subfloor, by
keeping your body weight on the panel during installation.
Start
at one corner and work along one entire edge nailing or stapling every
2". Return to the starting corner and fasten the other edge every
2". Return again to the starting corner and fasten diagonally
across the panel to the opposite corner, nailing every 2". Return
once more to the starting corner and fasten randomly the entire panel
field at 4" intervals.
Fasten
the two remaining edges at 2" intervals.
Nails
or staples should be flush with, or countersunk slightly below the
underlayment surface.
Note: Use only narrow crowned, galvanized chisel
point or divergent staples; or ring-shanked nails. Nails should
have a head no larger than a pencil eraser, be non-staining and
galvanized. (Caution: some types of fasteners, such as common steel
nails, cement coated, or some resin or rosin coated nails or staples
may cause a discoloration of vinyl floor coverings. This staining
shows up as yellow or brown spots under the wear layer of the sheet
vinyl.) The fastener should be no longer than the underlayment and
the subfloor combined, and should not penetrate the floor joists
below.
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| Sanding and Patching |
After
RockWood Underlayment panels have been securely fastened, thoroughly
sand all seams with a belt sander until they are level. (Sanding underlayment
joints before patching will ensure that seams are flush.)
Patch
and level underlayment joints, gouges or chipped edged with the patching
compound recommended by the sheet vinyl manufacturer (do not fill
or patch nail holes).
Once
patches have dried thoroughly, sand again to ensure a smooth, level
joint.
Note: Do not “Floor Mix” seam fillers,
as pouring water on the floor to mix the fillers may cause underlayment
panels to expand and cause "joint telegraphing".
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| Finish |
Use
only vinyl manufacturers recommended adhesive over RockWood Underlayment
Panels.
Install
sheet vinyl immediately after installation of the underlayment so
that foot traffic at the job site does not discolor or stain the underlayment. |
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