INSTALLATION INSTRUCTIONS
MAINTENANCE FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING
(please refer to the NOFMA Technical Service manual of “INSTALLING HARDWOOD FLOORING” for additional information.)
Sub-Floor Preparation
- The sub-floor must be completely dry. The new concrete slab usually will take 90 to 150 days to dry thoroughly depending on size of slab and weather condition.
- The sub floor must be free from any type of paint, oil, greases, dust and all other types of residues.
- The sub floor should be level in general. The level drop must be no more than ¼” over a ten feet distance.
- If plywood is used for sub-floor, the moisture content difference should be no more than 4% between engineered wood floor and plywood, and there should be no more than 2% difference between solid wood and plywood. Plywood size for sub-floor is suggested to be ¾” x 48” x 48” and leave ¼” between sheets for expansion.
- For added protection, an additional 15 lb. Felt paper moisture barrier should be applied to the plywood sub-floor with 6” overlaps before installing the new wood floor.
Glue-down Installation for ALL ENGINEERED PRODUTS (JELP Series)
No acclimation is needed for our Engineered wood floor. We suggest installing our products right after the box is opened.
Test slab before every installation. (See NOFMA guidelines)
Apply moisture barrier to slab. At minimum, a sealer such as decorez for extra protection.
Johnson’s wood floor products should be installed with Urethane based adhesive only. Bostik’s Best is recommended as an alternative.
Read the glue manufacture’s instruction, which is always printed in details on the glue container, to choose the correct size trowel for Johnson’s engineered wood floor. Johnson recommends the trowel size to be 3/16” x 3/16” square notch on smooth concrete slab.
Snap a working line parallel to the starting wall, in multiples of our engineered plank width, to set up the baseline of installation.
Following the spread rate, curing time, spread the glue evenly on the sub-floor to cover the area the installer can lay the planks in time for best result of the glue.
Lay one row of plank along the entire length of work line. Add each additional row of flooring, watching the pattern repeat and offsetting or staggering the joints at least 6 inches.
A ½” expansion space should be left around the perimeter.
Roll whole floor with a 150 lb. Roller within 3-6 hours after installation. (return to top)
Nail-Down Installation for ALL SOLID PRODUCTS (JSWP Series)
Solid wood floors require a 7-10 days acclimation period under normal weather condition and 15-30 days in extreme climate zones.
Snap a working line to the starting wall, in multiples of our solid plank width.
Install the first row of wood with the groove side towards the wall using top nails as necessary to hold the first row firm and in place. Adjust as necessary.
Use adjustable pneumatic power hammer or nailing machine with 1 ½” – 2” nails as is required.
Add and adjust each additional row of wood planks, offset or stagger the end joints at least 6” to prevent repeating the pattern.
Finished areas should be covered with a 150 lb. Paper immediately after installation to prevent damage. (return to top)
MAINTENANCE FOR HARDWOOD FLOORING
The key to enjoying hardwood flooring is proper maintenance. The no-maintenance hardwood floor does not exist. The one key procedure common to all types of hardwood floors and finishes is PREVENTIVE.
Preventive maintenance is the most important requirement to the long term performance and natural beauty of your hardwood floor.
The following will outline the preventive maintenance points as well as discuss the basic maintenance steps for the top finish. (return to top)
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING:
Use protective walk-off mats at the exterior doors to help prevent sand and grit from getting onto the floor. Gritty sand is flooring’s worst enemy.
Install proper floor protectors on furniture used on hardwood floors. Protectors will allow chairs to move easily over the floor without scuffing. Clean the protectors on a regular basis to remove any grit that may have become embedded.
Vacuum regularly. When the household carpets are vacuumed, vacuum the hardwood floors – a brush attachment works beautifully. Sweep on a daily basis or as needed, but do not use a household use treatment (ie: Endust, Pledge) as this may cause the floor to become slick or dull the finish.
Never wet mop a hardwood floor. Excessive water causes wood to expand, possibly damaging the flooring. Finishes are to protect the stain and face of the wood. They are not bonding or water proofing products. Never use products such as Murphy’s Soap due to the fact that they have elements that will break down the urethane.
Keep high heels in good repair. Heels that have lost their protective cap, thus exposing the fastening nail, will exert over 8,000 pounds per square inch of pressure on a floor. That’s high enough to damage hardened concrete. (return to top)
MAINTENANCE PROCEDURES
URETHANE AND SWEDISH FINISH:
PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE is the primary maintenance procedure.
FOOD SPILLS should be cleaned up in a timely manner using Bonakemi, Tarkett or other manufacture’s recommended floor cleaner.
SHOE MARKS can be removed using a spot application of recommended Hardwood Floor Cleaner and a non-abrasive scrubbing pad. Difficult marks can be removed using a “white” grade polishing pad and cleaner. (return to top) |
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