ALL ABOUT INSTALLING YOUR NEW LVT/LVP
While LVT & LVP flooring is easy enough for many DIYers to install themselves, we still recommend trusting the pros at Great Floors. Having professionals install your flooring ensures lasting results and will make sure your flooring remains covered under any manufacturer's warranties. Prior to installation, please ensure that the following tasks have been completed:
Climate & Acclimation
- In cold weather, please ensure that the installation area is heated to at least 68°F for 48 hours prior to the installers’ arrival. Sheet vinyl & its adhesive must be kept within a temperature range of 68°F to 100°F for at least 48 hours before and 48 hours after installation. In certain cases where epoxy adhesive is used, the temperature should not exceed 85°F.
Glue Down
- If your new floor is to be glued down, the area where the new flooring is to be placed must be smooth with no cracks or other damage prior to the arrival of your installers.
Furniture
- All furniture & furnishings must be moved off the existing floor (if it is to be replaced) or from the area where new flooring is to be installed. We can do it for you, for an additional charge.
- Empty the contents of china cabinets and closets.
Pre-existing flooring
- If you remove your old flooring, do it at least one day before for cleanup and floor preparation.
- Leave tack strips in place.
- Pull the staples out of the floor from the original pad.
- Retouch any painted baseboards, woodwork, and paint.
Subfloor Preparation
- This may need preparation for new LVT or LVP. Leave this to the pros!
- Vinyl is a smooth surface & any depressions or irregularities in the subfloor will show through.
- Some subfloors are more suitable to LVT & LVP than others. Please discuss various subfloors with your sales associate.
- All exposed concrete floors should be tested for hydrostatic pressure. Your sales associate can instruct you on how to perform this simple test.
- Substrates need to be level in accordance with your product manufacturer’s guidelines. In most circumstances, Great Floors will not be able to actually gauge or estimate your project until the existing floor has been removed.
Doors
- All doors must be removed if they are in an area where new flooring will impact their movement (i.e. closets, adjoining rooms, etc.). A professional can remove doors and re-hang, if possible.
- There is always the possibility that doors may not clear the new LVT or LVP floor. If this is the case, a professional carpenter may need to shave or cut down the bottom to ensure clearance.
Fixtures
- LVT & LVP are normally cut around articles attached to the building (i.e. radiators, railings, etc.). Should you wish to have your vinyl flooring extend under these items, please have them removed prior to your installers’ arrival.
Wires
- All wiring for televisions, stereos, telephones, etc. must be moved away from the installation area prior to the arrival of your installers.
Closets
- If closets are to be done, all contents on the floor must be removed.
Electricity
- Proper lighting must be available for good installation & ready access to electrical outlets is required.
Moulding
- Please remove all floor mouldings.
- If our installers remove floor mouldings, we cannot be responsible for damage to either the moulding or the wall behind the moulding. While our installers will make every effort to avoid creating scuff marks on walls or floor boards, it is suggested that you have a small amount of touch-up paint available to cover these marks after installation.
- Sheet vinyl floors require a baseboard to prevent the vinyl from raising up along the edge over time.
Squeaks
- We are not responsible for squeaky floors resulting from the installation of new flooring.
Estimates
- Occasionally, estimates may need to be revised because of unforeseen damage to subfloors, which is not possible to see until the existing flooring has been removed.
- You will be notified if wet subfloors, water or pet damage, or any similar condition is discovered.
- For special order materials, we will keep you informed of any mill production delays.
Shortages
- If Great Floors did not measure your job, we accept no responsibility for shortages or overages.
- We cannot return any altered remnants back to inventory.
Seams
- Our installers install all vinyl according to industry standards. While we do everything possible to minimize seam visibility, no seam is totally invisible.
Cleanup
- Installing new carpet will produce waste, which is usually collected by your installer and left at your trash collection site.
- Hauling away is usually an additional cost.
ADDED GREAT FLOORS SERVICES
Great Floors offers the following services for an additional fee. Check with your sales associate for costs for your specific project:
Existing Flooring
- We’ll remove & dispose of existing flooring material.
- Great Floors can also prepare your site for new flooring.
Moulding & Doors
- We’ll remove & replace floor moulding & doors.
Furniture & Appliances
- We’ll move & replace heavy furniture, appliances & other heavy objects.
- If using this service, you must empty all drawers, bookcases, & refrigerators and drain waterbeds.
- Great Floors will not do any plumbing, gas or electrical work including connecting or disconnecting icemakers, dishwashers or gas lines.
- We will not move organs, pianos, pool tables, grandfather clocks, aquariums, stereos, computers, firearms, collectibles or fragile items. Ask your sales associate for details.
AFTER LVT/LVP INSTALLATION
A few things to ensure that your vinyl floor performs at its best.
After installation
- Establish good ventilation & keep traffic light for at least 24 hours so any adhesive has a chance to dry. Avoid stepping on seams during this time.
- Avoid scrubbing or washing the floor for at least 3 days after installation.
- Support furnishings with wide-bearing, non-staining hard plastic floor protectors. Avoid metal protectors that may rust.
- Always use strips of wood or heavy cardboard to protect your floors when moving heavy furniture or appliances.
