Dixie Home Trucor LVP Installation Guide

This installation guide from Dixie home is a great reference when doing a DIY flooring project. This guide is quiet thorough, yet easy to follow. This specific guide can be used when installing Trucor 3DP/SPC/WPC flooring products. 

 

This product is intended for interior use only and is suitable for above-grade, on-grade and below-grade applications. However, it should not be installed in
locations where the substrate beneath the building structure is exposed to the elements.
This product is a floating floor and should be allowed to expand and contract freely. It must not be nailed, or fastened through the flooring and into the subfloor. Fill
expansion spaces around potentially wet areas with premium waterproof 100% silicone sealant. Always remove standing water, pet urine and other liquids
promptly.
Prolonged exposure to direct sunlight may cause this product to fade or the joints to separate. Protect it from direct sunlight using window treatments or UV tinting
on windows.
This product is a waterproof floating floor, but it should not be used to seal an existing floor from moisture. It cannot inhibit the growth of mold or prevent structural
problems associated with, or caused by flooding, excessive moisture, alkalis in the subfloor, or conditions arising from hydrostatic pressure. Regardless of
location, always remove standing water, urine and other liquids promptly. Moisture issues should be
addressed and corrected at the job site prior to installation.

PRE-INSTALLATION

Evaluate the Job Site

Exterior
Damage caused by water and high humidity should be addressed prior to installing this product. Examine the driveway and landscaping surrounding the building.
Be sure that they slope and direct water away from the foundation. Inspect gutters, down spouts and drains for blockage. Remove clogs caused by leaves, dirt and
debris, allowing runoff to flow freely away from the foundation. Check crawl spaces for cross-ventilation air vents equaling at least 1.5% per 100 square feet of floor
space. Crawl spaces should measure a minimum of 18 inches high and should be insulated according to the latest building code requirements. The ground should
be covered with a minimum 6-mil vapor barrier.

Interior
Moisture issues should be addressed and corrected at the job site prior to installation. Examine the installation site for leaky plumbing, including leaks from water
heaters, dishwashers, washing machines, or any other water-bearing fixtures or pipes. Inspect substrates for level. They must be sturdy, sound, and flat within
3⁄16" in a 10 foot radius without any abrupt height differences. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction.
All concrete substrates must be tested for relative humidity, moisture and pH before installation begins. Test results should not exceed 85% relative humidity (RH).
The Calcium Chloride Test for moisture should be no more than 8lbs per one-thousand square feet in 24 hours MVER, (Moisture Vapor Emission Rating) and pH
tests for alkalinity levels should register between 7 and 9. All wood floors must be checked for moisture. Obvious signs of moisture issues include warping,
peaking, degradation of the integrity of the substrate, rusted fasteners, and rusted floor registers. Even if obvious signs are not present, the material should be
tested using a wood moisture meter; moisture levels should not exceed 14%.
ATTENTION: Mold and mildew grow only in the presence of moisture. Moisture issues should be addressed and corrected at the job site prior to installation.
Please visit www.epa.gov/mold for information about safely preventing and removing mold, mildew and other biological pollutants.

Identify Your Substrate

Approved Substrates 

Concrete

This product is waterproof, but moisture issues should be corrected at the jobsite before installation begins to prevent serious damage to the subfloor and
surrounding structure, and to discourage the growth of mold and mildew. Concrete substrates should be prepared in accordance to the most current version of
ASTM F710 (Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring). Concrete substrates must be sturdy, sound, and flat within 3⁄16" in
a 10 foot radius without any abrupt height differences. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. Moisture and alkalinity tests
should be performed on all concrete substrates regardless of grade level or age of slab. Perform either ASTM F2170 In-Situ Relative Humidity (RH) test or ASTM
F1869 Calcium Chloride Moisture Test (MVER: Moisture Vapor Emission Rating). Perform pH test per ASTM F710 to determine alkal inity of the slab. RH Test
results should not exceed 85% relative humidity. The Calcium Chloride Test for moisture should measure no more than 8lbs per one-thousand square feet in 24
hours MVER, and pH tests for alkalinity levels should register between 7 and 9. Electronic meter testing is not considered a replacement for a Calcium Chloride
Test or Relative Humidity Test. All moisture tests should be conducted prior to installation to ensure that moisture is at recommended levels. Follow current ASTM
F710 guidelines. It is highly recommended that substrate moisture and pH testing be conducted by an ICRI
(International Concrete Repair Institute) tier 2 certified technician.

Radiant Heat
Radiant heating systems must be cast ½-inch below the surface of the concrete slab, and should be operating at least 2 weeks before installation. Set the
temperature of the radiant heating system to 68°F 48 hours before, during, and 72 hours after installation. The temperature of the radiant heat floor may be
increased gradually 72 hours after installation, but the surface temperature of the subfloor should never exceed 85°F. Contact the manufacturer of your radiant
heating system for further recommendations.

Plywood, OSB, Particleboard & Chipboard
Wood substrates must be A.P.A. approved with a minimum grade of “BB” or “CC”. They must be sturdy, sound, clean, dry, and flat within 3⁄16" in a 10 foot
radius without any abrupt height differences. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. It is recommended to perform moisture
tests prior to installation to prevent serious damage to the subfloor and surrounding structure, and to discourage the growth of mold and mi ldew. Moisture
readings should never exceed 14% for plywood, OSB, particleboard and chipboard substrates. If moisture readings exceed 14%, it is advisable to correct
moisture issues at the jobsite before installation.

Tile, Terrazzo, Asbestos Tile, Resilient Tile, Non-Cushion Sheet Vinyl, and Metal
Existing floors must be firmly attached to the structural floor. They must be sturdy, sound, clean, dry and flat within 3⁄16" in a 10 foot radius without any abrupt
height differences. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction. When installing in commercial settings, fill in grout lines on
ceramic tiles, terrazzo, quarry tiles and similar floors with cementitious leveling and patching compound.

NON-APPROVED SUBSTRATES
Remove the floors noted below and remove old adhesive before installation. Encapsulate adhesive and cutback residue.
• Carpeting/Carpet Pad
• Cushion Back Sheet Vinyl
• Engineered or solid hardwood floated over concrete or plywood subfloor
• Floated Laminate
NOTE: Various Federal, State and Local government agencies have established regulations governing the removal of in-place asbestos-containing material. If
you contemplate the removal of a resilient floor covering structure that contains (or is presumed to contain) asbestos, you must review and comply with all
applicable regulations. Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient flooring, backing, lining felt,
asphalt “cut-back” adhesive, or other adhesive. These products may contain 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 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. The RFCI’s Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Covering are a defined set of instructions addressed to
the task of removing all resilient floor covering structures. For further information, contact the Resilient Floor Covering Institute website at www.rfci.com.

Prepare the Job Site
Careful preparation is the key to outstanding results. It is recommended, that all trades finish before installation
Install Permanent Exterior Doors and Window
Turn on HVAC at Least One Week Prior to Installation Room temperature should be maintained between 50°F – 100°F at least 48 ours prior to installation.
Allow all other Trades to Finish when possible.
Perform Recommended Moisture and pH Tests See the “Identify Your Substrate” section of this manual (pages 3-4) for further i formation about suggested
tests.
Level uneven surfaces fill large cracks and voids with cementitious leveling and patching compound. Substrates must be sturdy, sound, and flat within 3/16"
in a 10 foot radius without any abrupt height differences. The substrate should not slope more than 1 inch per 6 feet in any direction.
Remove Floor Moldings Quarter round and wall base should be carefully removed before installation begins. It will be used to conceal the expansion space
once the job is finished.
Fill Grout Lines Refer to chart on page 6
Remove Non-approved Substrate
Remove or Encapsulate Old Adhesive Old adhesives must be scraped up and left so that no ridges or puddles are evident and al that remains is a thin,
smooth film. Then, encapsulate residue.
Undercut Wood Door Casings Wood door casings should be undercut so that the product will fit neatly beneath them, concealing the expansion space.
Position the plank on the substrate against the door casing. Lay the handsaw flat against the scrap plank and carefully cut the door casing to the height of the
plank.
Cut Around Metal Door Casings Do not cut metal door casings. Cut the product around them, leaving the appropriate expansion pace. -After installation, fill
the space with a coordinating premium waterproof 100% silicone sealant.
Clean Up the Job Site Remove all debris, sweep and vacuum the subfloor. Smooth, non-porous floors should be damp-mopped after vacuuming and allowed
to dry thoroughly before installation. All dust must be removed prior to installation.

Check Run Numbers and Manufacture Date
Locate the run number on the short end of each carton and verify that all of the material for your job is from the same run. Minor shade variations within the
same run number contribute to the natural look of the product. To avoid noticeable shade variations, do not install material from different runs across large
expanses.

 

INSTALLATION PROCEDURES
1. SET SPACERS Create the required expansion space between the perimeter planks and the wall using spacers. Place spacers equaling the thickness for
required expansion between plank and wall on short and long ends of plank. Do not remove them until the installation is complete.
2. INSTALL FIRST PLANK Position the first plank against a spacer a few inches from the starting wall. Installation will move from left to right beginning in the
left corner with tongue side of long edge facing the wall.
3. ESTABLISH PROPER STAGGERING Maintain a minimum 6-inch end-joint stagger from row-to-row throughout the entire installation. Tile products should
be staggered in a brick-laid pattern with stagger equal to ½ of a tile. Installation alternates back and forth between rows one and two, for the first two rows
only.
4. FIRST PLANK OF SECOND ROW Cut the first plank in the second row to one-third its length before installing it. Insert the long tongue edge of the plank
into the long groove edge of the first plank. Make sure there are no gaps. Tap along the long groove edge using a tapping block.
5. SECOND PLANK OF SECOND ROW Insert the long side, then slide the plank until the short tongue touches the short groove edge
on the first plank of the second row. Tap long joint tight using the tapping block, before tapping the short joint down using the soft faced hammer.
6. SECOND PLANK OF FIRST ROW Select a full plank and position the long groove edge into the tongue of the second plank in the second row. Tap long
joint tight using the tapping block, before tapping the short joint down using the soft faced hammer. Repeat the same installation pattern until you reach the

opposite wall and cannot install another full plank.
7. INSTALL THE LAST PIECES OF ROWS 1 AND 2 Cut to fit, maintaining the expansion gap. Install as before. Move the entire assembly against the
spacers on the starting wall.
8. INSTALL REMAINING ROWS Install the remaining material, one row after the other. Always tap the long joint tight using the tapping block, before tapping
the short joint down using the soft faced hammer. Maintain the required stagger throughout the install.
9. INSTALL THE LAST ROW Cut the final row of planks to fit along the wall. Use a pull bar to lock the long edges together. Do not use the pull bar on the
short edges.
10. FINISH THE JOB Remove spacers. Cover expansion space with quarter round or other trim, being sure not to trap or pin down the floor.