Subfloor Preparation

Wilsonart Tap-N-Lock Technology Flooring is a floating floor system and can be installed over most existing floors (e.g. sheet vinyl, vinyl tile, ceramic tile, concrete, cement). Always use the recommended Wilsonart Underlayment Padding.

Wooden subfloors must be structurally sound, clean, dry and flat to within a tolerance of 3/16" (5mm) over a 10' (3.04m) span and must have good ventilation underneath them. Wood floors that are over a concrete or cement subfloor MUST be removed before installation of Wilsonart Flooring products. Uneven floors should be sanded or filled with a Portland cement based product to achieve a level surface. Floor leveling compound must be allowed to dry completely as per manufacturer’s instructions. Loose areas or squeaks in the floors must be repaired prior to installation.

Concrete subfloors must be structurally sound, clean, dry and flat to within a tolerance of 3/16" (5mm) over a 10' (3.04m) span. Concrete subfloors must be cured properly and allowed to dry for at least 60 days after curing process. A vapor barrier such as Wilsonart Polyethylene 8mil Film must be used when installing over any bare concrete below, on, or above grade or cement based floor (i.e. ceramic tile, terrazzo, etc.) making sure seams overlap a minimum of 16" (tape the entire overlap seam together with polyethylene or foil tape). The appropriate vapor barrier is already attached to the Wilsonart 2-In-1 Pad and Commercial Cushion underlayments.

Note: Wood subfloors/wood floors over concrete must be removed.

Any concrete or cement based floors or subfloors (including ceramic and terrazzo tile) should be tested for moisture vapor emissions. THE MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE MOISTURE EMISSION RATE FOR INSTALLING WILSONART FLOORING IS 5 POUNDS PER 1000 SQUARE FEET PER 24 HOURS. THE GUIDELINES FOR TESTING SHOULD FOLLOW THE ASTM F 1869 TEST METHOD. THIS METHOD COVERS THE APPARATUS, CONDITIONING, AND MEASURING PROCEDURES.

Ceramic or Terrazo tile subfloors should be tested for moisture vapor emissions as stated above. Ceramic/Terrazo tile floors that are in good condition and flat to within a tolerance of 3/16" (5mm) over a 10' (3.04m) span need not be removed prior to installation. Grout lines more than 1/8" deep and 1/2" wide should be filled using an appropriate leveling compound. Floor leveling compound must be allowed to dry completely and used as per the manufacturer’s instructions. If the tile is adhered to a concrete subfloor, a vapor barrier must be placed directly over the tile subfloor.

Vinyl and linoleum floors must be structurally sound, clean, dry, flat to within a tolerance of 3/16" (5mm) over a 10' (3.04m) span and fully adhered. Perimeter glued or loose laid vinyl flooring should be removed. Vinyl floors overconcrete should not be treated as a vapor barrier. Carpet must be completely removed before installation of the laminate floor begins and follow directions for the appropriate subfloor.
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Link Table - Floor Installation & Repair, Phoenix, Arizona Metro Area 

Kenneth J. Frango  -  www.floormagic.biz  -- www.FloorMaven.com
I install & repair ALL types of floor coverings!
Carpet ● Tile ● Hardwood ● Vinyl ● Stone ● Cork ● Bamboo Floors and much more! 
The Best Flooring Installation Value in the Valley of the Sun.
Based in Glendale, AZ - Proudly Serving the Phoenix, Arizona Metro Area.
Copyright © 2009 Kenneth J. Frango. All rights reserved.
Revised: 06/09/09.