Plywood Underlayment: Halex Plywood Underlayment
Plywood Underlayment Installation Instructions
Vinyl and Other Flooring | Ceramic
Flooring
Architectural Specifications
Ceramic Flooring
| Vinyl and Other Flooring
The following plywood underlayment instructions have been specifically
prepared for the installation of Halex Plywood Underlayment panels.
Strict adherence to these instructions and the instructions of the
vinyl flooring manufacturer and adhesive manufacturer will produce
a strong, sound, level floor that complies with the terms of the
Halex lifetime warranty. When installed according to these instructions.
Halex plywood underlayment panels will not contribute to seam telegraphing
through the surface of the vinyl flooring, or contribute to staining
or discoloration of vinyl flooring.
Plywood Underlayment Installation Instructions for Vinyl and
Other Flooring (not ceramic)
Preparing the Subfloor
Ensure the existing subfloor is completely dry, fastened tightly,
structurally sound, and smooth.
Reset all protruding nail heads.
Replace any soft, decayed or delaminated areas of the subfloor.
Add ring shank nails to any area of the subfloor that squeaks,
has vertical movement, or is warped or cupped.
Scrape any construction debris, paint, caulk, or drywall compound
that has built up on the surface.
Fill low spots with patching compound; sand joints, high spots,
and patched areas until smooth.
In new construction, moisture tests of the existing subfloor and
the Halex Plywood Underlayment panels are recommended.
Acclimating the Plywood Underlayment
Allow Halex Plywood Underlayment panels to acclimate at the jobsite
for 48 hours before installation.
If space permits, separate the Halex Plywood Underlayment panels
and store them vertically around the room to allow air passage
on each side.
Laying out the Plywood Underlayment
Lay out Halex Plywood Underlayment panels perpendicular to the
grain of the existing subfloor panels.
Place all full panels of Halex Plywood Underlayment in position
and ensure that the grain of each panel is running in the same direction.
Plywood underlayment edges should be offset from subfloor edges
by at least 8 inches. Plywood underlayment panels should be staggered
so that 4 corners do not meet.
Lightly butt plywood underlayment panel edges together. Do not force
panels togethere, but do not leave a gap. Leave a minimum gap of
1/4 inch and a maximum gap of 1/2 inch between the plywood underlayment
panel edges and the walls for expansion.
Cut plywood underlayment panels as necessary and lay out factory
edges to factory edges. Layout any edges with jobsite cuts towards
the wall.
Cutting the Plywood Underlayment
Make any long straight cuts from the underside of the plywood underlayment
panel using a circular power saw with a fine toothed blade. Adjust
the blade to extend not more than 3/8 inch through the plywood underlayment
to minumize splintering.
Make any short or irregular cuts from the underside of the plywood
underlayment panel using a power jig saw with a fine toothed blade.
Drill any required holes through the face of the plywood underlayment
panel.
Selecting the Plywood Underlayment Fasteners
Use plated ring shank underlayment nails with a 3/16 inch diameter
head or double coated chisel point staples with a 1/4 inch maximum
crown. The fastener length should be selected so that the point
will not extend through the bottom side of the subfloor. Do not
use uncoated, cement coated, or rosin coated fasteners as they
may contribute to staining.
Fastening The Underlayment
Each panel should be nailed or stapled every 2 inches along each edge
and every 4 inches throughout the main part of the panel.
Ensure the panel is in firm contact with the subfloor. Always have your
body weight on the panel being fastened.
Do not set fasteners in straight rows, as straight rows are sometimes
visible through the face of the vinyl flooring.
All fasteners should be countersunk slightly below the surface of the new
underlayment. Adjust air pressure on air staplers to a minimum to avoid
staple blow through.
Start at one corner and work along one entire edge fastening at 2 inch intervals.
All edge fasteners should be 2 inches apart and not be closer than 3/8 inch of
farther than 1/2 inch from the edge.
Return to the starting corner and fasten the perpendicular edge at 2 inch intervals.
Snap a chalk line from the starting corner to the diagonal corner.
Return again to the starting corner and fasten at 4 inch intervals along the
chalk line to the diagonal corner.
Return again to the starting corner and fasten the interior of the panel at
4 inch intervals in a fan pattern until the entire panel has been fastened.
Fasten the two remaining edges at 2 inch intervals.
Finishing The Underlayment
Sand all panel edge joints with a power belt sander until smooth. Hand
sanding is not sufficient.
Avoid oversanding and cupping of joints
Patch all voids, gaps, gouges, and chippededges with a patching compound
approved by the vinyl flooring manufacturer.
Allow patched areas to dry completely.
If joints have been patched, allow patch to dry overnight.
Note:
Remember, the patch is 1/4 inch deep in the joint between two panel edges
and it will not dry as quickly as a surface patch.
When a latex adhesive is
applied to the underlayment, some of the water is absorbed into the wood
causing it to expand
slightly. This expansion will force wet patch out
of the joint, forming a bead that can be seen through the vinyl.
Once the patch is dry, resand all areas with a power belt sander.
If necessary, patch again, allow to dry, and resand with a power belt sander.
Proceed with the installation according to the instructions of the vinyl flooring
manufacturer and adhesive manufacturer.
Keep the underlayment clean and dry until the vinyl flooring is installed. Cover
with protective paper if necessary.
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Plywood Underlayment Installation Instructions for Ceramic Flooring
Preparing the Subfloor
Before installing Halex plywood underlayment, be sure the floor
joists and subfloor are structurally sound. We recommend a minimum
5/8" exterior grade plywood subfloor with joist spacing not to exceed
16" on center. The floor must meet or exceed L/360 rating. Homes
with crawl spaces must have a vapor barrier to prevent moisture
from entering into the joist and sub-floor.
Be sure subfloor is clean and free of debris. Any uneven subfloor
joints should be sanded so the joints are even.
Acclimating the Plywood Underlayment
Acclimate the plywood underlayment panels 24 hours in the area the
panels will be installed and 48 hours in extreme conditions. Separate
and store panels vertically to allow air passage on all sides. Acclimation
may not be necessary if storage temperature and humidity level is
similar to the job site conditions.
Laying out the Plywood Underlayment
Lay the plywood underlayment panels out perpendicular to the floor
joist off setting the joist at least 12" from the subfloor joints.
Do not allow four corners to meet at the point. Leave a 1/8" gap
between all plywood underlayment panels and between the panels and
the walls. Place factory cut edges together and hand cut edges against
wall.
Plywood Underlayment Fastening
No thin set is required between the Halex plywood underlayment and
the subfloor. No joint taping is required.
Fasten the plywood underlayment panels securely to a structurally
sound, smooth, clean and dry subfloor using;
- Staples: galvanized or polymer coated 18 gauge chisel point
staples with minimum 1/4" crown or,
- Galvanized ring shank flooring nails: 12 gauge, minimum
3/16" diameter head or,
- Galvanized flat head wood screws.
Fasteners should be long enough to penetrate through the plywood
underlayment and atleast 80-95% of the subfloor, but not protrude
through the bottom. Fasten one plywood underlayment panel at a time,
starting from one side and working to the other. Do not lack the
corners first. If using staples or nails, fasten on every fastener
mark (4" on center in the field and 2" on center along all edges.
Fasten edges 3/8" - 1/2" from the edge. Fasteners should be set
flush so they do not protrude above the plywood underlayment.
Setting Tile
Before setting tile be sure that the plywood underlayment surface
is clean and free of dirt, dust, oily film and foreign matter.
Use EGP latex-portland cement mortar complying with ANSI A118.11
to set the tile and use grout complying with ANSI A118.6, A118.7
or A118.3.
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