INSTALLATION GUIDELINES FOR ServPro SRV06
FOLD N TAP™ VINYL PLANK

I.GENERAL INFORMATION

These installation guidelines apply to the ServPro SRV06 Fold n Tap™ products only. All instructions and recommendations should be followed for a satisfactory installation.

  • The floor covering should be stored and installed in a climate controlled location with an average temperature between 55° - 85°F - 13°-29°C.

  • Post installation temperature range is between 32 and 100 degrees F - 0°-37.7°C.

  • Avoid exposure to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, doing so may result in discoloration. During peak sunlight hours, the use of the drapes or blinds is recommended.

  • Regardless of new construction or remodeling projects, keep flooring stored in rooms that are not being worked in and only install product after all other trades have completed work that could damage the flooring.

  • To minimize shade variation, mix and install planks from several cartons.

  • Inspect all planks for damage before installing. If you have any concerns about the product fit or finish, call Shaw Information Services at 1-800-441-7429. Claims will not be accepted for flooring that has been cut to size and/or installed.

  • Use cementitious patching and leveling compounds that meet or exceed maximum moisture level and pH requirements. Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable.

  • ​For cracks or saw cuts deeper than 1", follow the preparation and application instructions for QuikFill.  QuikFill is a 2-part urethane treatment that prevents future damage from moisture penetrating to the surface of the slab that may damage or breakdown adhesives or unapproved patching compounds.

  • Installation – Floating or glue down methods - installed on, above, or below grade.

  • ​Crumb rubber underlayments are not an acceptable option for use with resilient floor coverings due to performance issues resulting from chemical incompatibilities. 

Tools: Tape Measure, Utility Knife, Jigsaw, Tapping Block or Rubber Mallet, Pull Bar, ¼" Spacers, T-Square, Safety Glasses, Broom or Vacuum and, if necessary, tools for subfloor repair.

II. SUBFLOOR INFORMATION

All subfloors must be flat – 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'. Subfloors must be clean, flat, dry and structurally sound.
 
Underlayments – ServPro SRV06 flooring has an attached pad, using an additional underlayment is not recommended.
 
CAUTION: Some types of nails, such as common steel nails, may cause discoloration of the vinyl floor covering. Recommendations for attaching underlayment  panels  are  not  included.  Solvent  based  construction adhesives are known to stain vinyl floor coverings. All responsibility for discoloration  problems  caused  by  the  use  of  the  above  mentioned products is not the responsibility of Shaw, but rests with the installer and the underlayment panel manufacture. 

A.Wood Subfloors

Do  not  install  material  over  wood  subfloors  that  lay  directly  on concrete or over dimensional lumber or plywood used over concrete. Refer to ASTM F1482 for panel underlayment recommendations.

  1. Do not apply sheet plastic over wood subfloors.

  2. Basements and crawl spaces must be dry. Use of a 6 mil black polyethylene is required to cover 100% of the crawl space earth. Crawl space clearance from ground to underside of joist is to 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. Where necessary, local regulations prevail.

  3. DO NOT install over sleeper construction subfloors or wood subfloors applied directly over concrete.

  4. ​All other subfloors - Plywood, OSB, particleboard, chipboard, wafer board, etc. must be structurally sound and must be installed following their manufacturer’s recommendations. Local building codes may only establish minimum requirements of the flooring system and may not provide adequate rigidity and support for proper installation and performance. If needed add an additional layer of APA rated underlayment, fasten and secure according to the underlayment manufacturer’s recommendations.

  5. ServPro SRV06 resilient flooring is not recommended directly over fire-retardant treated plywood or preservative treated plywood. An additional layer of APA rated 1/4" thick underlayment should be installed.  

B.Concrete Subfloors

  • Floors shall be smooth, permanently dry, clean, and free all foreign material such as dust, wax, solvents, paint, grease, oils, and old adhesive residue. The surface must be hard and dense, and free from powder or flaking.

  • ​If the adhesive residue is asphalt‐based (cut‐back), or any other type of adhesive is present, it must be removed by industry accepted methods such as mechanical removal or wet scraping. 

  • If a chemical abatement has been performed, use Surface Prep EXT to remove any residual chemicals present.  Once Surface Prep EXT has been properly cleaned and removed, apply one coat of MRP for additional protection.

  • Adhesive removal through the use of  solvents or citrus adhesive removers is not recommended. Solvent residue left in or on the subfloor may affect the new adhesive and floor covering.   

WARNING! DO NOT SAND, DRY SWEEP, DRY SCRAPE, DRILL, SAW, BEAD BLAST ORMECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERISE EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT , ASPHALTIC “ CUT BACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER ADHESIVES.
 
These products may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of such dust is a 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 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 (RFCI) publication Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures. For current information go to www.rfci.com.

  • Concrete slabs must be dry with no visible moisture.

  • Required Moisture Testing - maximum moisture level per ASTM 1869 CaCl is 8 lbs. and ASTM 2170 In-situ Relative Humidity 90% per 1000 sq.ft. in 24 hours. 

  • Do no install over concrete with a history of high moisture or hydrostatic conditions.

  • Ph level of concrete should be between 7-10

  • The final responsibility for determining if the concrete is dry enough for installation of the flooring lies with the floor covering installer.

Radiant Heating: Radiant-heated subfloor systems can be concrete, wood or a combination of both.

The heating systems components must have a minimum of 1/2" separation from the flooring product. The system must be on and operational for at least 2 weeks prior to installation to reduce residual moisture. Three days prior to installation lower the temperature to 65 degrees, after installation gradually increase the temperature in increments of 5° F to avoid overheating. Maximum operating temperature should never exceed 85°F. Use of an in-floor temperature sensor is recommended to avoid overheating. Contact the manufacturer of your radiant heating system for further recommendations. 

  • Electric Radiant Floors: consist of electric cables (or) mats of electrically conductive materials mounted on the subfloor below the floor covering. Mesh systems are typically embedded in thin-set. When embedding the system components, use cementitious patching and leveling compounds that meet or exceed Shaw’s maximum moisture level and pH requirements.  Use of gypsum-based patching and/or leveling compounds which contain Portland or high alumina cement and meet or exceed the compressive strength of 3,000 psi are acceptable.
  • Hydronic Radiant Floors: pump heated water from a boiler through tubing laid in a pattern under the flooring. Typically installed in channels under a wooden subfloor (or) imbedded in concrete slabs. Requires the installer follow a specific nailing pattern to avoid penetration of the heat system.

  Existing Floor Coverings

  • ServPro SRV06 flooring can be installed over most existing hard–surface floor coverings, provided that the existing floor surface is clean, flat dry and structurally sound.
  • Existing sheet vinyl floors should not be heavily cushioned and not exceed more than one layer in thickness. Soft underlayment and soft substrates will diminish the products inherent strength in resisting indentations.
  • ​Installation is NOT allowed over any type of carpet.
  • Do NOT install over wood subfloor or wood floors adhered to concrete.

III. Installation

Floating Installation:

ServPro SRV06 plank flooring are designed to be installed utilizing the floating method. When floating never secure the planks to the subfloor when using the floating installation method. Do not install cabinets or fixed objects on top of the flooring. Proper expansion space (1/4”) is required.
Undercut all doorjambs. Do not fasten wall moldings and or transition strips to the planks.

Glue Down Installation:

On, above and below grade. ServPro SRV06 flooring is approved for glue down installation over approved wood and concrete substrates. Recommended adhesive 200,2200,4200 or comparable product.
  1. Before you start with the installation, it is important to determine the layout of the flooring. Proper planning and layout will prevent having narrow plank widths at wall junctures or very short length pieces at the end of rows.
  2. As with all plank products, install the planks parallel to the longest exterior wall.
  3. Determine if the starter row will need to be cut. If the first row of planks does not need to be trimmed in width, it will be necessary to cut off the unsupported tongue so that a clean, solid edge shows towards the wall.
  4. Installation of the product must start from the left side of the room, working to the right when working in front of the planks or facing the starting wall. Use spacers along the walls to maintain proper expansion space (1/4”) and align the first plank.
  5. Install the second plank in the row by aligning and dropping the end tongue over the end groove of the first plank. Apply light pressure to join the two planks together.
  6. If needed use a rubber mallet to fully engage the short side of the plank by lightly tapping the plank to engage and sit flush with the adjacent plank. Maintain an expansion gap of approximately 1/4" from the wall. Repeat this process to complete the first row.
  7. Start the second row by cutting a plank to the desired length. Keep in mind that the plank must not be shorter than 6" (15cm) to achieve the best appearance.
  8. Install the first plank in the second row by inserting the long side tongue into the groove of the plank in the first row. This is best done with a low angle of the plank. Maintain light pressure into the side seam as you rotate the plank to the subfloor. Repeat the process with additional planks to complete each row. Very little force is required to seat the tongue into the groove. You should feel the tongue lock into the groove.
  9. It is critical to keep the first two rows straight and square, as they are the “foundation” for the rest of the installation. Check for squareness and straightness often.
  10. Continue installing planks and make sure to achieve a random appearance with end pieces of minimum 6" - 15cm. Check that all planks are fully engaged; if a slight gapping is found, the gap can be tapped together by using a tapping block and a scrap of flooring to cover the tapping block in order to avoid damages on the planks.
  11. To fully engage the short end, apply light pressure and press down to engage the end joint. If the end is raised use a non-marking rubber mallet to lightly tap the end (tongue side) about 1” from the seam. Do NOT tap directly on the seam.
  12. When fitting under door casings, if necessary, a flat pull bar may be used to assist in locking the planks.
  13. When fitting around obstacles or into irregular spaces, planks can be cut easily and cleanly using a utility knife with a sharp blade. It is often beneficial to make a cardboard template of the area and transfer this pattern to the plank.
  14. Protect all exposed edges of the flooring by installing wall molding and/or transition strips. Make sure that no plank will be secured in any way to the sub floor.
  15. For wet areas such as bathrooms, caulk the perimeter of the floor with a silicone caulk.
  16. Protect the finished flooring from exposure to direct sunlight to reduce fading and thermal expansion. 
  17. Cutting resilient product into a fine point may lead to delamination. Use an ethyl cyanoacrylate based glue to help fuse the resilient point together. Be sure to clean all glue from the top surface immediately. Alcohol based glues may cause resilient products to swell.
  18. Adhering tape to the surface of your resilient flooring could damage the surface. 
    Do not use tape to secure floor protection directly to the floor during construction or renovation. Instead, adhere tape to the material used to protect the floor and secure it to the base molding along the wall.  A material such as ram board can also be used to protect your flooring.
Revision: 06132024