GroundWorks Underlayment - Glue Down Installation Guidelines

(for use only under LVT, not approved for use with grouted tile products)

Approved Adhesive: All Shaw LVT Adhesives

Prior to the start of the installation the installer must determine that the job-site conditions meet or exceed all applicable standards of the flooring installation guidelines. Installation of LVT flooring should be one of the last jobs of any construction project.

Site Conditions

The building should be completely enclosed. All outside doors and windows should be properly installed with latching mechanisms in place.

Landscaping should be sufficiently completed to direct water away from the building. Gutters and downspouts should be in place.

All concrete, masonry, plastering, drywall, painting and other wet work should be completed and thoroughly dry prior to beginning the installation. Where possible the installation of the base molding should not take place until after the flooring has been installed.

The HVAC system for the building should be operational. The flooring should not be exposed to extremes of temperature, humidity or moisture. The installation site should have a consistent temperature of at least 65 F (air and sub-floor and humidity levels should be between 35–55% for a minimum of 72 hours prior to and following the installation).

Basements and crawl spaces should be dry and adequately ventilated. Sub-floors must be checked for moisture content and emissions using industry accepted methods. Crawl spaces should meet local building codes regarding minimum heights, cross ventilation and the use of vapor retarders.

Sub-floors must be free from dust, dirt, grease, wax, curing agents, sealers, oil and any other bond inhibiting substances. The sub-floor should be level within 3/16" in 10' or 1/8" in 6'.

Concrete must be dry with moisture emission rates that do not exceed 5 lbs. /1000 sq. ft. /24 hrs. as measured by the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test (ASTM-F-1869-98) or 85% per ASTM 2170 – in-situ Relative Humidity test method. Concrete surface pH must not exceed 9. Before moisture testing begins, the slab must be cured for a minimum of 30 days. Fill low areas with a cementitious leveling compound or latex milk additive latex patch with a minimum 3,000 psi compressive strength. Leveling compounds must be tested to ensure they are properly cured and within the manufacturer’s specified requirements before proceeding with the installation. Lightweight or acoustical concrete, or overly porous substrates must be primed with a compatible primer, such as Shaw 9050 primer.

For Wood Joist Systems the sub-flooring should be structurally sound, free of loose panels or boards, and free of protruding fasteners. Moisture content should be within normal industry standards for the area’s average environmental conditions. Underlayment panels should be fastened according to the manufacturer’s specifications. All panel seams should be sanded level and prepared according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Install the flooring perpendicular to the floor joists. Do not install flooring over existing glue down wood flooring or nailed down wood flooring that is wider than 31⁄4". Wide plank floors must be covered with an acceptable underlayment. Do not install over any wood substrate that is adhered to a concrete substrate.

Installation

1. Roll out Underlayment cushion with the fabric side of the underlayment up and the foam side down and trim to fit the floor leaving no gaps around the perimeter of the room. Where possible Underlayment should be laid at right angles (perpendicular) to the flooring’s direction. Avoid placing a flooring seam directly inline and over underlayment seams.

2. Pull back one half of the “cut-in”piece(s).

3. Spread adhesive onto the substrate with a 1/16" x 1/16" x 1/16" square or U-notch trowel. Allow adhesive to properly flash and set the underlayment into the spread adhesive. NOTE: Groundworks is a non-porous membrane. Consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the adhesive to avoid trapping moisture under the Underlayment. Temperature and relative humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed and the adhesive’s working time. A 100% adhesive transfer rate to Underlayment is required. If proper transfer is not achieved, remove dried adhesive and re-apply the adhesive with the recommended trowel allowing the appropriate open time before proceeding. Floor fans or blowers can be used to reduce the necessary open time of the adhesive.

4. Roll completed installation with a 35 lb. three-section roller in a north– south direction and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate seating into the adhesive. Do not use a roller heavier than 35 lbs.

5. Seams should be fitted net leaving no gaps or overlaps. If installing the underlayment on concrete, or below grade subfloors, be sure to tape the seams together with two inch packing tape (for added moisture protection).

6. Allow recommended minimum 2 hours cure time before allowing traffic on the installed Groundworks Underlayment. If flooring is not to be installed on the same day, take care to protect the cushion from damage by using plywood panels or other means until the LVT/LVP flooring can be installed.

LVT Flooring Installation

7. Install the LVT per the installation guidelines for layout and any special precautions for installation.

8. Use a 1/16" x 1/32" x 1/32" U notch trowel over top of the Groundworks underlayment. The adhesive must be allowed to flash to a non-porous state before the installation of the LVT. NOTE: Underlayment is a non-porous so consideration must be given to the initial “open time” of the adhesive to avoid trapping moisture under the flooring. Temperature and relative humidity will determine the actual amount of open time needed and the adhesive’s working time. 

9. Install flooring into the adhesive. Occasionally lift a piece of flooring to assure that a sufficient bond is achieved. 

10. Roll completed installation with a 100 lb. roller in a north-south direction and then in an east-west direction to ensure adequate seating into the adhesive.

11. Furniture placement and foot traffic should be restricted for a minimum of 24 hours.

12. Remove wet adhesive with a damp cloth. If adhesive dries, remove the adhesive with safety solvent. Test solvent on a scrap piece of flooring to ensure solvent does not affect the floor’s finish.

Installation For Locking Floating Resilient Floors (residential application only)

Commercial products – underlayment must be full spread prior to floating vinyl products

1. Roll out the underlayment perpendicular to the direction you plan to install the floating floor. Trim to fit the underlayment leaving no gaps around the perimeter of the room.
2. Install the next 3 foot wide section of underlayment, butting the seams together. Repeat until installation is complete. Tape is recommended to hold the underlayment in place while the flooring is being laid.
3. Next, install the floating vinyl planks atop the underlayment according to the installation guidelines allowing appropriate expansion gaps at the perimeter of the installation. Be sure that you are still able to see the edge of the underlayment so that you can properly line up the next roll.
4. Underlayment seams should be butted together leaving no gaps or overlaps. If installing the underlayment on concrete, or below grade subfloors, be sure to tape the seams together with two inch moisture- resistant tape. If installing on a wood subfloor it is recommended that the underlayment seams not be taped. However, double faced tape or a small amount of pad adhesive can be used between the subfloor and the underlayment to prevent shifting during installation of the floating floor and to help prevent telegraphing of the seams.