Galaxy SPC RIGID-CORE UNICLIC HYBRID PLANK Installation Guidelines ** Read all instructions carefully before installing. Incorrect installation will invalidate and void warranty. ** The planks you are about to install are an SPC flooring product, manufactured with the latest technologies. Installing Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Planks, with exclusive Limestone/PVC hybrid composition guarantees you optimal performance in dimensional stability and waterproof characteristics, unmatched by other products within the Luxury Vinyl Tile market and where other types of PVC flooring are unadvisable. IMPORTANT INFORMATION GALAXY SPC RIGID-CORE UNICLIC HYBRID FLOORING: is guaranteed for use only as a floor covering. Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Planks must be installed using a floating floor system. is intended for internal/indoor use only. temperature after installation is complete should be kept between 0 C - 60 C. the new floor can be installed over most existing floorcoverings (e.g. ceramic tiles, linoleum, PVC etc.) but cannot be laid over carpet, carpet underlay and/or existing floating floor subfloors. TOOLS REQUIRED: Tape Measure; Utility Knife; Chalk Line; Circular Saw; Drop Saw or Flooring Guillotine; Jig Saw; Rubber Mallet; Tapping block (trimmed piece of flooring); Pull Bar/Heel Iron; Spacers; Ruler; Pencil. BEFORE INSTALLATION: Product should be stored in boxes horizontally at all times; never store boxes on their sides. Protect corners of boxes from getting damaged. Always install your flooring in bright light to observe any imperfections, such as possible sheen differences. Visually inspect all planks for any visible defects or damage prior to and during installation. Do not install any damaged planks. Galaxy Flooring will not warranty or be held responsible for any costs related to installation of unsatisfactory product with visible defects. Ensure that all cartons contain the correct product. When installing, open several cartons at a time and use a mixture of planks from different cartons for best results and appearance. Room temperature should be between 10 C - 30 C during installation. Flooring must be installed in a temperature-controlled environment, only allowing temperature changes after install is fully completed. Decide which direction the planks will be installed (it is recommended that Galaxy Flooring be installed running parallel to the longest wall). 1
PRE-INSTALLATION SUBFLOOR REQUIREMENTS: All Subfloors must be: Dry and smooth; Clean: Thoroughly swept and free of all debris and residues; Structurally sound; Level: Flat to 4.7mm per 3.3 meters radius. Wood subfloors must be dry, well secured and, if possible, and void of any underfoot squeaking. If not level, sand down high spots and fill low spots with a relevant flexible self-levelling compound. Concrete subfloors must be dry and fully cured, at least 60 days old, and should have a painted or 200micron polyethylene moisture barrier between concrete and ground to prevent possible moisture flow through. Failure to do so may cause smells to come through the product. Subfloors should be flat and level within 4.7mm per 3.3 meters. If necessary, grind high spots down and level low spots with a relevant self-levelling compound. Ceramic Tile sub-floors must be well bonded to their sub-floor, in good condition, clean and level. It is necessary to grind flat all large bumps or high points on tiled floor. If grout joints are larger and/or deeper than 5mm, a self-levelling compound should be used to flush-fill joints. This will alleviate any possibility of Galaxy SPC flooring Uniclic locking system failure. Resilient tile and sheet vinyl must be well bonded to subfloor, in good condition, clean and level. *** CAUTION: Do not sand existing vinyl floors, as they may contain asbestos. *** CALCULATING AMOUNT OF FLOORING REQUIRED: Measure the room to calculate how much flooring to purchase. To calculate surface coverage, multiply the length by the width of the room (adding the area of any cupboards). Add 5-10% to total surface area to account for trim wastage. Galaxy Flooring recommends keeping a few planks of your new flooring for replacement, in the event any planks become damaged in the future. If SPC planks are to be installed in an area greater than 450m 2 and/or over a size greater than 30lm in length or 15lm in width, transition/expansion mouldings should be used. Galaxy Flooring requires transition/expansion mouldings to be installed to all doorways leading into wet areas. 2
INSTALLATION: All installations of Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Planks, should be in accordance with AS1884-2012 Floor Coverings Resilient Sheet and Tiles Installation Practices, including the following installation guidelines. NOTE: The patented Unilin Clic locking joint system used in GALAXY SPC RIGID-CORE UNICLIC HYBRID FLOORING enables planks to be installed in two ways. ANGLE-IN INSTALLATION: Hold the new plank at an angle of 20-30 to the previously installed plank and engage the tongue and groove joint at the butt end of the planks. Move the plank gently up and down while exerting gentle pressure along the long side of the plank. The long side joint will click into place, locking the joint. This is the easiest method for installation and should be used for most planks. FLAT INSTALLATION: Lay the new plank flat on the floor aligned to the previously installed plank and, using a tapping block, gently tap the planks together until the joints lock. DO NOT try to close the joints with a single hit on the block: use a series of light taps until the joint closes completely. This method should be only used in situations where the Angle-In method is not feasible, or for tapping closed joints that have not locked completely. *** CAUTION: DO NOT USE GLUE OR FASTNERS OF ANY KIND WHEN INSTALLING THIS PRODUCT *** INSTALLATION PROCESS: 1. Once subfloor is fully cleaned and prepared, begin with laying planks left to right for first row. Place first plank so grooved edge is facing towards you. Place planks 7-10mm from left wall. Use spacers between wall and plank. 2. For the second plank in the first row, lay the plank interlocking with the first end-to-end and fold it down to lock together. These should be same height if laid properly. Ensure both are perfectly aligned. Continue in same method towards right hand wall. NOTE: If both planks are not same height or are not locked properly together, follow the directions at bottom of guide of TO UNINSTALL. Remove plank(s) and check for debris obstructing the lock and grooves. NOTE: If the end joints are not properly lined up, trying to force the planks together will permanently damage end joints and void warranty. 3. For the final plank of the first row, ensure to measure required length allowing 7-10mm gap for expansion between plank and right-hand wall. 4. To cut plank, place facing upwards. Using a sharp utility knife and ruler, cut pushing firmly several times on the same line. This will not cut through the plank but will score deeply. Then place one hand close to the score-line and push down firmly. Use other hand to lift the other half of the plank. The plank should split naturally at the score mark. Otherwise mark prospective cut and dock plank using either drop-saw or flooring guillotine. 5. Beginning the second row, use remainder of the cut plank from the last piece of first row, provided piece is a minimum 30cm long. Otherwise cut a new plank to begin this row, ensuring joints are at least 20cm apart. Use the remainder of cut planks for ends of rows to begin subsequent rows whenever possible. 3
6. Click together the long sides of the new plank and the one in the previous row, placing the board tightly to the short end of the previous plank in this row with an angle of 30 and drop the plank to lock together. These should be same height if laid properly. Ensure both are perfectly aligned. 7. After installing 2 or 3 rows check the straightness using a string/chalk line. If the planks are not running straight, it may be caused by unevenness in the starting wall. The first row may require to be re-trimmed to adjust accordingly. 8. For final row, lay a plank of SPC directly on top of last completed row. Place another board on top, touching the tongued side of the plank against the final wall. Trace a line along the edge of this piece marking the first plank. Then cut along the edge of this piece to mark the first plank. Cut using this line to get required width of plank. Insert this cut plank against the final wall. The final row should be a minimum of 10cm in width. Spacers can then be removed. 9. When measuring holes for pipes, use the diameter of the pipe and cut a hole 10mm larger. Saw out the piece and check-install the plank around the pipe. If hole is correct, lay sawed-off piece of plank permanently in place. 10. When installation is complete, if necessary replace skirting, allowing a slight clearance between skirting and SPC plank. Attach skirting to walls, not to the flooring. For areas where SPC planks meet other flooring types, use transition moulding to cover exposed edges. Do not pinch SPC planks with skirting and allow a small space between surfaces, which, if necessary, can be filled with an anti-mould caulking compound. TO UNINSTALL: Lift an entire row of SPC planks carefully and gently at an angle. To remove individual planks, leave flat on the ground and slide them apart. If planks do not separate easily, lift the planks at a slight angle when sliding apart. Be sure not to be aggressive in the uninstall process as tongue of locking system may break. HYDRONIC RADIANT UNDERFLOOR HEATING: Before installing over newly constructed hydronic underfloor radiant heat systems: operate the system at maximum capacity for a minimum of 7 days to force any residual moisture from the cementitious topping of the radiant heat system. The moisture content of the screed prior to installation must be less than 1.5% (CM method). Shut down the floor heating at least 48 hours prior to installation. 4
Make sure that the temperature in the room is at least 15 C during installation. It is recommended that the radiant heat be applied in a gradual manner (no more than 2 C per day) after installing the Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Planks. After installation, ensure the surface temperature of the subfloor never exceeds 27 C. Refer to the hydronic underfloor radiant heat system s manufacturer recommendations for additional guidance. MAINTAINING YOUR SPC FLOOR: Clean dust and debris regularly using a broom or vacuum with soft bristles. NOTE: Never use steam mops or electric brooms with hard plastic bottoms with no padding to clean SPC planks, as this will damage the integrity of the planks. Clean any spills or liquids immediately. Mop as needed using a dampened mop and cleaner approved for use on vinyl floors. NOTE: Never use abrasive cleaning implements or products, waxes, or bleach on SPC planks. Use felt protectors or other protective devices under furniture, particularly items that are frequently moved. Any furniture with casters should not have ball casters. Only wide, non-staining rubber casters are to be used on SPC planks. Use protective mats underneath office chairs. Do not drag heavy objects or furniture across floor. When moving appliances or furniture lay a protective item such as cardboard onto the SPC planks and walk the heavy item across carefully. Place mats at exterior doors to reduce dirt and debris tracked in onto floor. Do not use mats with rubber or latex backers as they may cause discoloration or staining to SPC planks. Never walk or create flooring movement at temperatures below 5 C. HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITIES: To sustain warranty and ensure quick and easy service in the event of a claim, the following requirements must be met: Flooring must be installed according to Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Plank Installation Instructions. Use appropriate and safe vinyl floor cleaning products. Retain five planks of the Galaxy SPC Rigid-Core Uniclic Hybrid Planks that were used after installation for possible testing purposes. Retain and be able to provide the original sales receipt (or documentation confirming proof of purchase and details of purchase) and installation date of the product LIMITED WARRANTY: (See SPC Limited Residential/Commercial Warranty in Downloads on website) The Limited Warranty* does not cover the following: Discoloration from mould or from indoor flooding, climate floods, leaking plumbing or appliances, water entering through sliding glass doorways, as well as floor covering failure due to hydrostatic pressure or moisture vapor emission. Problems due to improper installation. Change of gloss level, dulling, scratching, cutting, scuffing, or chipping. Damage caused by pets. Problems due to accidents, abuse or improper usage. Damage occurring during renovation or construction. Labour is not covered by this warranty. 5