Home Legend Luxury Vinyl Tile User Manual

Products Included

Approved Grade Levels

Approved Installation Methods

Luxury Vinyl Tiles products: 4mm and 5mm

thick.

Above Grade.

On Grade.

Below Grade.

Primary Method: Floating.

Optional Method: Full Spread Glue.

Full Commercial Installation Requires Full

Spread Glue

Acclimation and In-service Conditions

Acclimation is the process of adjusting (conditioning) flooring to the environment in which it is expected to perform.
Acclimation temperature range is 60°F-75°F and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-55%. Conditions in which the floor
was acclimated should be maintained continuously thereafter. Acclimate this floor for a minimum of 48 hours.
Document acclimation conditions below.

Date: ______________
Relative Humidity (%):______
Temperature (°F):______
Subfloor Type:______________________
Subfloor Avg. Moisture Content (%):_______
Acclimation Period: ___________

CAUTION: ASBESTOS IN EXISTING FLOOR

Home Legend product does not contain asbestos. Existing installed resilient flooring and asphaltic adhesive may contain asbestos fillers
or crystalline silica. Do not sand, dry sweep, dry scrape, drill, saw, bead-blast, or mechanically chip or pulverize existing resilient

flooring, backing, lining felt, asphaltic “cutback” adhesive or other adhesive. See “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of
Resilient Floor Coverings” (rfci.com) for detailed information and instructions on removing all resilient covering structures.

Installation Instructions

Luxury Vinyl Tiles (LVT)

Visit homelegend.com for latest version of installation instructions.

Owner/Installer Responsibility

The owner is advised to be at home during the installation for consultation/direction. The owner and installer should discuss installation and
layout to maximize satisfaction. If this is not possible, consultation should be done prior to installation.
The owner/installer assumes all responsibility for product quality of completed installation.

PERFORM PRE-INSTALL INSPECTION. FOR CLAIMS PURPOSES, YOU ARE ALLOWED TO OPEN UP TO 4 BOXES FOR PRODUCT INSPECTION. DO NOT OPEN
ALL THE BOXES. OPENING ALL THE BOXES CONSTITUTES YOUR ACCEPTANCE OF THE PRODUCT. INSPECT ALL THE PLANKS IN THESE 4 BOXES CAREFULLY.
EXAMINE FLOORING FOR COLOR, FINISH AND QUALITY. IF YOU DISCOVER THAT PRODUCTS ARE DEFECTIVE, OR IF MATERIAL IS QUESTIONABLE, YOU
SHOULD CONTACT THE RETAILER. IF YOU ARE SATISFIED, PROCEED WITH INSTALLATION.

Flooring to be installed in one large area should be purchased at the same time. Product purchased at a later time than the first purchase
may vary beyond your expectations.
This product is manufactured according to strict quality standards. In the event that defects are discovered in the field, the industry
standards permit a defect tolerance not to exceed 5%. Order an additional 5% (10% extra for diagonal installations) for cutting wastage and
plank replacement when the floor is in service.
During installation, inspect the planks continuously. Defects that can be seen from a standing position should be cut off or held out.
Installing defective planks implies acceptance.

If You Need More Information

To assure the warranty is not inadvertently voided, before proceeding with any activity that is not covered in this manual, please contact our
Technical Support Department.

Job Site Condition
Prior to installation, the installer must ensure that at the time of installation, the job site conditions including subfloo r/substrate, ambient
temperature and relative humidity, and all impacting variables will not negatively affect floor. Home Legend will decline responsibility for

Doc. ID: 157 Rev: 2 Effective: 2/24/2014 Page | 1

damages associated with improper installation or poor site conditions.

Storage and Conditions

Do not store flooring in uncontrolled environmental conditions. For example, garages and exterior patios are not acceptable areas to store
flooring. Handle and unload flooring with care and store within the environmentally controlled site in which it is expected to perform.
Flooring stored on concrete slab should be elevated at least four inches to allow air circulation under cartons.

Existing Home

Existing home should have a consistent room temperature of 60°F-75°F and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-55%. Continual extreme deviation
from these conditions will affect the dimensions of flooring. During heating season, humidity may be much lower than the acceptable range.
During the heating season, a humidifier is recommended to prevent excess shrinkage in flooring due to low humidity levels. During the non­heating season, humidity levels can be maintained by using an air conditioner, dehumidifier, or by turning on your heating system periodically.

New Construction or Remodel

All work involving water, such as pouring basement concrete floors, drywall and plasterwork, plumbing, etc. must be completed well in
advance of the floor delivery. Ensure that the building is enclosed. Where building codes allow, permanent heating and/or air conditioning
systems should be operating at least five days preceding installation to promote proper acclimation and should be maintained during and
after installation. If it is not possible for the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system to be operating before, during and after
installation, a temporary heating and/or dehumidification system that simulate normal living (occupied) conditions can enable the installation
to proceed until the permanent heating and/or air conditioning system is fully operational.
Your job site should have a consistent temperature of 60°F-75°F and relative humidity (RH) of 35%-55% which should be maintained
continuously thereafter.

Basements and Crawl Spaces

Concrete slab or ground must be dry. The ground in the crawl spaces must be completely covered using 6 mil black polyethylene. Crawl
space clearance between the earth and underside of joists should be no less than 18 inches and the perimeter vent area should be equal to

1.5% of the total square footage of the crawl space or as mandated by code.

Concrete Subfloor Requirements

It must have minimum rated strength of 3000 psi.
It must be level to within 1/8” in a 6 foot span or 3/16” in a 10 foot span; no bumps or low spots. High spots can be removed by grinding;
Gaps greater than 5/32” wide and 1/16” and depressions should be filled with patching compound formulated for use in floor installation.
It must be clean; no construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering to the floor; if necessary, scrape and sweep away
before the installation; no protrusions of nails, debris, metals should remain.
New concrete slab must cure for at least 60 days. It must have a minimum 10 mil polyethylene sheet between the ground and the concrete.
It must meet concrete moisture requirement below.
It must be free from moisture related conditions which can damage the installed flooring.

Light Weight Concrete

It is concrete which rated strength is less than 3000 psi.
Perform a quick check by drawing a nail across the top; if it leaves indentation, it is probably light concrete.
For glue-down application, the concrete must possess shear strength greater than the glue. If concrete rated psi is unknown, contact the
adhesive manufacturer for guidance.

Concrete Moisture

All concrete subfloors should be tested for moisture content and the results documented. Visual checks are not reliable. Perform tests at
locations around exterior doorways, near walls containing plumbing, near foundation walls and in the center of the room. Minimum sample
size is 3 samples per 1000 square feet of area and one test for every additional 1000 square feet thereafter.
Its moisture content should meet one of the following criteria below:

• 5% when tested using Tramex Concrete Moisture Encounter

• Less than 3 pounds per 1000 square feet per 24 hours when using Calcium Chloride test (ASTM F 1869)

• 75% when using Relative Humidity Testing (ASTM F-2170).

Please note: Concrete moisture content may be acceptable the time of the test. These tests do not guarantee a perpetual “dry” concrete
slab. The concrete slab moisture content can vary at other times of the year. We are not responsible for moisture related damage to
installed flooring.
Wood Subfloor Requirements
It must be clean; no presence of construction debris, soil, mud and any other objects on or adhering to the floor; no protrusions of nails,
debris, metals should remain. If necessary, scrape and sweep the subfloor before the installation.
It must be structurally sound and stable; no movements or squeaks; no loose panels or loose nails; no signs of ply de-lamination or other
damages. Repair all shortcomings before installation.
It must be flat; no visible bumps or low spots; the subfloor should be flat to within 1/8” in 6 feet span or 3/16” in 10 feet.
Test for moisture using reliable moisture meter. Perform tests at locations around exterior doorways, near foundation walls, near walls
containing plumbing lines and in the center of the room. Measure 20 locations per 1000 square feet.
Moisture content of subfloor should be less than 14%.
Doc. ID: 157 Rev: 2 Effective: 2/24/2014 Page | 2

Safety and Health Precautions
Power tools can be dangerous. Operate in strict accordance to manufacturer’s operating instructions and safety precautions. Unsafe
and improper use can cause serious injuries.
Avoid inhalation and exposures to wood dust by mechanical means and by wearing personal protective equipment.
Wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) which include NIOSH or OSHA approve dust masks, safety goggle and work gloves.

Plywood or Oriented Strand Board (OSB) Specifications

On truss/joist spacing of 16” (406mm) O/C or less, the industry standard for single-panel subflooring is minimum 5/8” (19/32”, 15.1 mm) CD
Exposure 1 plywood subfloor panels (CD Exposure 1) or 23/32” OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4’ x 8' sheets. Expansion gap between panels
should be 1/8” (3 mm). When subfloor panels spacing is inadequate, cut in the required spacing with a circular saw if the panels are not
tongued and grooved. Do not cut in expansion space on joined tongue and groove of panels.

Particle Board or Fiber Board

Only for floating installation.

Existing Floors

Installation over existing floor requires the installer to consider potential issues related to moisture damage, adhesive failure and fastener
failure. Contact the adhesive and fastener manufacturers respectively for their specific instructions, recommendations and requirements.
Acceptable floor coverings include: solid hardwood, linoleum, terrazzo, ceramic tile and other “moisture sealing floors.”
Unacceptable floor coverings include: carpet, needle punch felt, edge glued linoleum and other “moisture absorbing flooring.”

Radiant Heated Subfloor

This product can be installed over radiant heated subfloor. Heating system must be in operation at least for 7 days prior to installation. .
Decrease temperature before installation. Increase temperature gradually after installation. Operating surface temperature must be less
than 84°F. Contact heater manufacturer for specific installation instruction.

Moisture Barrier and Moisture Retarder

Concrete Subfloor: For floating installation, use 6 mil polyethylene film or other means with equivalent permeability. Overlap the edge
seams and tape it together. Extend moisture barrier up to the wall about 1 inch high. When installed on above grade concrete and the
moisture content meets standards for concrete moisture, a moisture barrier is not required. For direct glue installation, use a moisture
barrier if moisture level exceeds requirement (see Concrete Moisture section above).
Wood Subfloor: Not required.

Sound Control Underlayment

It is optional. Check with sound control manufacturer for application guidelines. Generally, the less compressive underlayment is preferred.

Expansion Gap

Required gap width range is 5/16” to 3/8”. It is required around the perimeter of the floor and between floor and all vertical obstructions.

Transition Molding

Floating installation, transition T-molding is required in the following cases: floor spanning greater than 49 feet in length or width; wall
openings-with or without door.
Note: Floor areas interrupted by wall sections extending out of the wall; floor areas which are not rectangular may experience buckling or
gapping if there is excessive floor expansion or shrinkage.

Wet Areas

This product can be installed in kitchens, mud rooms, powder rooms, bathrooms and laundry rooms.
Do not install in saunas, swimming pool areas and other similar extreme wet areas.
Fill all expansion gaps with water repellant caulk.

Adhesive

Water based acrylic glue and designed for gluing PVC, LVT and other vinyl based flooring.
Tools and Materials

Basics:

Utility knife, chalk line, chalk, pencil, T-square, tape measure, spacers, broom, hand saw or jamb saw, eye protection, work gloves.
Additional Supplies for Glue-Down Method:

Flooring adhesive • Trowels • Adhesive remover for selected adhesive • Clean rags • Weight roller • 3M Blue tape

Bond Failure

Bond failure is NOT flooring product defect. Most installation failures, including bond failure, result from jobsite moisture. Do not unpack or
deliver flooring to the jobsite until moisture problems are corrected. Read adhesive manufacturer’s instruction carefully. Not following the
adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations can lead to installation failure or product damage and will void your warranty.

Glue Spots on Face of Finished Floor

Adhesive can damage the floor’s finish, especially when it has dried. It is extremely important to take precautionary steps NOT to leave finger
prints or footprints marks on the face of the board. If glue comes in contact with the face of the board, remove immediately with the

Doc. ID: 157 Rev: 2 Effective: 2/24/2014 Page | 3