SimpleFLOORS

Installation Instructions for Hardwood Flooring

• General Information For Fastening Machines
• Sub Floor Preparation
• Job Site Preparation
• Nail Down Installation Procedure

Note: simpleFLOORS is not responsible for and does not warranty the quality of the installer's work or the installation of the flooring. We assume no liability arising from improper installation, inappropriate installation location or improper care and maintenance of the flooring. See our warranty for details.

General Information For Fastening Machines

• Recommended Fasteners:
  • Power Nailer #445 Pneumatic, #45 manual 2" cleat nail
  • Primatech Pneumatic Floor Nailer Model P210 with 2" Power Cleat
  • Primatech Manual Nailer Model H300 or H330 with 2" Power Cleat
  • Stanley-Bostich Pnematic Floor Nailer MIIIFN with 2" Power Cleat
  • Stanley-Bostich Pneumatic Floor Stapler MIIIFS with 2" Staple with 1/2" crown
  • Porta-Nailer Manual Floor Nailer Model 401 with 2" Power Cleat
  • Porta-Nailer Manual Face Nailer Model 501 with 2" Power Cleat
• Use only a flooring nailer that engages the top profile over the tongue at the appropriate angle. Make sure that the flooring nailer is flat against the board to prevent top edge damage. Plate in contact with floor must be smooth and free from nicks or scratches. Faceplates should be covered with protective materials to prevent damage to the surface of the flooring.
• Improper pressure settings can cause damage to the flooring. Set air compressor to 80 PSI (or follow manufacturer's suggested PSI setting). Adjust the air pressure to insure proper setting of staples. If tongue damage occurs, lower the air pressure. If the staples do not set properly increase the air pressure.
• If you need to remove a side nailed staple, do not pull straight up from the tongue. This will damage the surface of the board. Instead, pull out the staple from the tongue at the front of the board with all pressure form the hammerhead directed into the sub floor.
• The manufacturer of the flooring is not responsible for any damage caused by the use of improper tools.

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Sub Floor Preparation

Approved Sub Floor Types:

1. APA approved 5/8" minimum thickness, preferred 3/4" or thicker exterior plywood.
   NOTE: When installing approved plywood, refer to specific structural panel manufacturer's instructions.
2. 3/4" (23/32") underlayment grade OSB on 16" center floor joists properly nailed.
3. Concrete slab with additional approved wood sleepers and screed system. (See NWFA for guidelines)
4. Existing wood floors (installed at right angle only).
5. Resilient tile and sheet vinyl only over an above mentioned and approved sub floor.

Sub Floors Must Be:

• CLEAN - Scraped or sanded, swept, free of waste, grease, paint, oil and other debris
• SMOOTH / FLAT - Within 1/8" on 6'. Sand high areas or joints fill low areas (no more than 1/8") with a cement type filler no less than 3000 p.s.i.
• STRUCTURALLY SOUND - Nail or screw any loose areas that squeak. Replace any damaged sub flooring or underlayment.
• DRY - Moisture content of sub floor must not exceed 14% prior to installation of wood flooring. All moisture testing must be before wood has been acclimated 72 hours and job site requirements met.

1. WOOD SUBSTRATES: Test the moisture of the wood substrate using a calibrated moisture meter approved for testing wood moisture according to the meter manufacturer. The reading should not exceed 14%, or read more than a 5% difference than moisture content of products being installed.
2. CONCRETE SLABS (regardless of existing floor covering): Must have a minimum of 3/4" plywood installed as a screed/sleeper system with a minimum of 6 mil polyfilm vapor barrier secured to the slab.

All concrete sub floors must be tested for moisture content prior to installation of the hardwood flooring. The moisture content of the concrete sub floor must not exceed 31bs./100 sq. ft emissions.

Below are methods to test to indicate moisture is present in the concrete sub floor.

1. Use an approved calibrated concrete Moisture Meter as a preliminary measurement for moisture such as:
   • Delmhorst Moistre Meter Model G
   • Tramex Concrete Encounter

   Follow manufacturer's specific calibration requirements.

2. Perform a polyfilm Test. Tape down 2' x 2' polyfilm squares (a clear garbage bag or plastic drop cloth will do) in several places on the floor. Wait 24-48 hours, and then check for the appearance of condensation on the inside of the bag or plastic for a darkening on the concrete sub floor. Either occurrence signals the likely presence of excess moisture, requiring a mandatory Calcium Chloride Test.

Once you have determined the moisture content and that moisture is present a Calcium Chloride and PH Alkalinity Test must be performed to determine the moisture emissions through the concrete slab of the moisture and alkalinity in the concrete floor.

• Perform a Calcium Chloride test according to the manufacturer's instructions. The maximum acceptable reading is 3-lbs. /24 hours/1000 sq. ft for moisture emissions.
• Perform a PH Alkalinity Test according to the manufacturer's instructions. A pH reading of 6-9 on a pH number scale of 1-14 is acceptable.
• If the test results exceed this number the concrete slab should be sealed with appropriate sealers to correct those emissions as per the manufacturer's recommendations.

Installation On Plywood And Wood Substrates:

DO NOT INSTALL OVER PARTICLEBOARD. Sub floor should be constructed o 5/8" or thicker plywood when installing directly over minimum 2x10 floor joists 16" on center. Plywood sheets should be laid with grained outer plies at right angles to joists; adjacent rows staggered four feet and nailed every 6" along each joist with 7D or larger nails. When installing directly over old wood or strip floor, sand any high spots , re-nail old floor to eliminate squeaks or loose boards, and install new planks at right angle (perpendicular) to the old floor, or over lay old floor with 1/4" plywood underlayment. Leave a 1/8" gap at the edges and nail with 7D or larger nails every 6" at the edges and every 12" in both directions and through the interior of each sheet of plywood. The moisture content of the wood or plywood should not exceed 14%.

Installation On Concrete Slabs:

Must have a minimum of 3/4" plywood installed as a screed/sleeper system with a minimum of 6 mil polyfilm vapor barrier secured to the slab. All concrete sub floors should be tested for moisture content.

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Job Site Preparation

• Acclimate product for 72 hours prior to installation.
• Verify floor is level and structurally sound. Repair as needed.
• Undercut door casings
• Remove any existing wall base, shoe molding, quarter round or doorway thresholds
• Cover the clean surface, wall to wall, with 151b. Asphalt saturated felt paper. Butting the edges together.