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1. COMMENT

The manufactureR instructs that installation be made in accordance with the installation methods for vinyl floor tile as per the North American Flooring Institute, (this to incorporate all sub floor preparations etc.). The company further recommends the appropriate use of Mapei adhesives and that maintenance and preservation be carried out using the detailed product information from S.C. Johnson Professional. Your further attention is drawn to the fact that the designs are deliberately not centralized or registered to enhance the aesthetic effect of the flooring. Without wishing to appear repetitive LSI stresses that their tile be laid by a flooring contractor of the highest standard and in accordance with N.A.F.I.

1.1. SELECT

It is essential that the correct flooring has been specified for a particular area bearing in mind traffic (both foot and wheeled), acoustic restriction, electrical and anti-slip requirement. If in any doubt contact the LSI technical department.

1.2 PROJECTIONAL PLANNING

It goes without saying that the product be installed within the confines of time and budget and following guidelines should be noted to ensure accurate documentation prior to the commencement of work.

A. Directional drawing if appropriate.
B. Detail of sub floor construction.
C. Information on pattern, border and or coving requirements.
D. Tests for moisture and electrical resistance must be completed and approved.
E. Similarly for screed strength and levelling.
F. Unacceptable standard of workmanship must be stated.
G. Removal of waste product, off cuts, adhesives etc. must be clearly documented through to final polish.

2. SUB FLOOR PREPARATION

2.2 CONSTRUCTION MOISTURE

Moisture (water retention) in percentage terms is by far and away the most singular reason for failed floors and in a perfect world a drying time of between 9 / 12 months should be allowed. Unfortunately, unlike our fathers, and in many instances our fathers, father time is of the essence, and such protracted drying times are unacceptable in today's world.

2.3 THE TEST FOR MOISTURE

Under no circumstances should LSI tiles be laid to sub floors that contain a moisture reading in excess of 75% relative humidity or 3 pounds moisture per 1000 sq. ft. Similarly, they should not be laid on sub floors that are susceptible to rising damp and/or hydrostatic pressure. The extensive guarantee issued by LSI will be nullified if this instruction is ignored. TEST ALL INSTALLATIONS! LSI recommends you call
SealFlex adhesives (800-651-2098) for any installations with more than 3 pounds.

2.4. UNDERLAYMENTS (FLOOR SMOOTHING)

Cement based floor patches should be the only thing used to level sub floor for tile installation. Floor must be absolutely smooth or tile will telegraph sub floor imperfections. Call LSI technical department for your specific job site patching recommendations. In the case of Jypcrete or any similar type product, contact the LSI technical department for further installation instructions.

2.5 EXPANSION JOINTS

Quite simply you must never lay tiles over expansion joints. Neither should such joints be filled with any sealant and/or mix of any kind. Contact LSI technical department for advice on what acceptable proprietary joint covers are available pertaining to your particular problem area.

2.6 UNDERLAY TYPE

Any and/or all approved commercial timber based underlay for flooring is acceptable as a sub floor. Example G1S 1200mmx2400mm with a minimum thickness of 15.5mm, fastened to sub floor as per manufactures specifications, all joints sanded and filled. For any other sub floors contact LSI technical department.

2.7 WOODBLOCK FLOORS

Quite simply, do not lay LSI tiles direct to woodblock flooring, similarly, do not overlay woodblock with any other underlayment including ply or hardboard. In all cases woodblock flooring must be removed and the sub floor rejuvenated.

2.8 EXISTING FLOORCOVERINGS

LSI cannot stress enough that their product should never, ever, be laid directly over existing floor coverings and in the unlikely event of this happening the company accepts no responsibility whatsoever for the difficulties that will inevitably ensue! With existing floor coverings, both them and their underlayment must be removed in accordance with the North American standards of waste disposal. The sub floor must then be treated as previous and the chosen new underlayment installed accordingly, to rejuvenate the sub floor.

3. THE PROCESS OF INSTALLATION

On receipt of the product ensure both the correctness of quantity and colour and check against the original order. Ensure no damage has occurred during transit and store the tiles perfectly together with adhesive in a covered area at a minimum temperature of 18° c. Tiles should be removed from pallet and stacked at a maximum of 5 boxes high. Tiles should not be installed until all other work, which could cause damage to the finished flooring has been completed. The tiles should be allowed to condition at 15° c for at least 48 hours before installation. The temperature should also be maintained during and after the laying of tiles ensuring that any under floor heating be switched off for the same period. It is then, and only then that the heating be brought back (slowly) to a maximum of 27° c. As earlier mentioned, ensure that all other trades have completed and cleared the area. Sweep and/or vacuum the whole area and make good where necessary following previous guidelines.

3.1 LAYING OUT

Shuffle and alternate tiles and boxes, do not attempt to pattern match the following tile patterns: Imagination Collection (Grass, Leaves, Rocks), Granite, Bird's Eye Maple, Aqua Pearl, Euro Marbles I & IV, Wood Collection. All the above tiles are not registered designs and do not match from tile to tile. It is best to randomly lay the above patterns to achieve a more natural look. The following patterns are to be directionally matched, but not pattern matched using the arrow on the back of each tile: Tread Plate, Tread Plate HE, Sparkly Chips, Imagination Collection (Water). Tread Plate tiles are not cut in a registered pattern and will not match from tile to tile. Tread Plate, Tread plate HE, Imagination Collection (Water) are best installed in the same direction, the Sparkly Chips can be installed in any of the 3 patterns below.

All tiles same direction	Columns	Checker Board

The Metallic Wood Collection is a directional wood strip floor tile and should only be installed in one direction. Use the black line on the back of each strip for pattern direction when installing. A random length should be used to install both the Metallic Woods and the natural Wood Collection as this will achieve the best overall natural appearance to the floor.

Metallic wood strips to be installed with black lines running in one direction. Both Natural and Metallic wood strips are to be installed in a random pattern as above.

The Shale Collections is best installed in a offset or bricklayers pattern with no attempt to pattern match or follow direction of tile.

Do not pattern match or follow any direction, random pattern.

When you are ready to start the installation commence from the centre and work out, (see MEASURE AND MARKOUT) loose laying as you go. This will allow you to check for final appearance prior to stick down.

3.2 MEASURE AND MARKOUT

The area to be laid should be measured in both directions, to within alcoves if any. Introduce a chalk centre line from one side to the other ensuring that it is square to the wall and doorways. From the centre line loose lay tiles to ascertain whether small strips will have to be laid at the room perimeter. If this proves to be the case adjust the centre line in either direction but ensuring that it remains parallel with that of the original. In doing so, it will only necessitate a small cut off the perimeter. Introduce a further chalk line to bisect that of the former at the centre. With a large square check for square, a geometric check is naturally acceptable. Loose lay tiles away from the second line as before and adjust accordingly.

3.3 ADHESIVE

It may be necessary to introduce a primer at this stage if the flooring proves porous. Ensure the usage of an adhesive compatible primer. This must be checked with the adhesive manufacturer. As you are no doubt aware, the spread of the adhesive remains dependent upon site conditions at the time. Humidity, airflow, temperature all affect the amount of open time required. All manufacturers detail open time tolerances and their instructions should be followed to the letter. If in doubt please check with them.
LSI only recommends the use of the following adhesives. For areas with high moisture and/or below grade, Mapei G-21 or G-19, all other applications can use Mapei Eco-300 or Eco-350. Contact LSI technical department for your adhesive recommendation before you install tiles.

3.4 ADHERENCE, ON YOUR MARKS

Once the adhesive has gone off, place the first tile to the right angle where the first centre line bisects that of the second. Press the tile down in the centre working outward until all the air is expelled. Place the next tile in position, alternating direction should it appear desirous and continue along the centre line presenting a two tile width,(one) either side of the aforementioned line and keeping exactly on that line. Tiles should be butted cleanly, evenly and snugly against the adjacent tile. Repeat the procedure along the second centre line and complete the one sectionalized area maintaining tile bond. Remove excess adhesive during work in progress and roll in both directions with a 150lb roller. Repeat procedure until main field completion.

3.5 PERIMETER ACTION

If set-in coved skirting is being used, this should be glued to the perimeter prior to perimeter tile installation. It is however, and more usual nowadays, that sit-on coving be introduced, this naturally will be glued on after the floor is laid.

4. PRECAUTIONS AFTER INSTALLATION

The adhesive must be allowed to dry for at least 48 hours before the floor is exposed to foot traffic, water or cleaning materials. Since many factors enter into it, the cure time can extend to a week or more. Of all the factors that can inhibit the adhesive from curing, moisture has the greatest effect. Never use strong acid or alkaline cleaner or wax. This will cause yellowing and eventually will require more maintenance. Also never use a high speed floor polisher or propane type powered high revolution burnisher, as this will cause damage to any high spots in the installation. After at lest 48 hours all installations should be coated with a floor polish. See LSI Floor Care Recommendations package from S.C. Johnson Professional. As 85% of all dirt entering a building is via foot traffic, LSI recommends the use of a barrier mat system to a minimum of 6 feet within the building entrance.

Should you have any questions not answered in this manual, please call the LSI technical department between the hours of 9:00am - 5:00pm EST.

Phone: 416-299-7666
Fax: 416-299-0269
Toll Free: 1-800-449-3916

LSI NORTH AMERICA LTD.
5230 Finch Ave., East, unit #5
Scarborough, Ontario, Canada
M1S 4Z9