Mohawk Laminate Installation
Mohawk Laminate with InstaCLIC Joint
Mohawk laminate with InstaCLIC joint is installed as a floating floor, the tongue and groove are mechanically locked together. Mohawk laminate must be installed as a floating floor, it cannot be glued, nailed or stapled to the subfloor in any way. You'll need to maintain a 3/8" expansion gap throughout the complete perimeter of the room in which you are installing the product. You can install Mohawk laminate over most dry, stable subfloors, but never install it over carpet, as carpet does not offer the support required for a floating floor system. Under no circumstances may panels be glued, nailed, or otherwise fixed (e.g. door stopper) to the subfloor.
Required Tools
You will need the following tools in order to install Mohawk laminate floors:
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A 6 mil. polyethylene film moisture barrier (for use on concrete subfloors that require a complete moisture barrier)
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Mohawk's Professional Choice Installation Kit, which includes pull bar, tapping block and spacers
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Fine-tooth handsaw or power saw/table saw
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Hammer (min. 16 oz.)
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Pencil, tape measure, utility knife, cotton cloth and straight edge
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Safety glasses
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Molding and transitions
Please make a point of using only Mohawk Professional Choice accessories, as these are designed specially for working with Mohawk Laminate Flooring. Once you open a package, use its contents without delay.
Pre-Installation Precautions
The ideal indoor climate for Mohawk laminate with InstaCLIC joint is 72° - 79°F with 50% - 60% relative humidity. Extreme fluctuations in the indoor climate may cause slight deformation of the panels and the formation of minor joints in the floor.
Sub-Floor Inspection
Before beginning the installation, determine that the subfloor is level, according to the following specifications. The subfloor must be level within 3/16" over a 10' radius. If the subfloor is above the 3/16" mark, it must be leveled to the acceptable 3/16" measurement before beginning your installation. The subfloor must be absolutely flat, dry, clean and firm (carpet must be removed). Differences in floor flatness of more than 3/16" must either be sanded down or filled with Portland based filling compound.
Organic (Wood) Subfloors
If you are installing Mohawk laminate with InstaCLIC joint over an organic (wood) floor, do not use polyethylene film.
Concrete Subfloors
If you are installing Mohawk laminate with InstaCLIC joint over a concrete subfloor or concrete substrate, always use a 6 mil. polyethylene film or Mohawk Silent Guard underlayment. If the installed floor is located over radiant heat, check that the subfloor surface does not exceed 84° F.
Large Rooms
Use room transitions if the installed area is greater than 32 feet (long) X 25 feet (wide). Transitions enable the floating floor to expand and contract to compensate for changes in seasons, low humidity in the winter and high humidity in the summer. Expansion joints (at least 3/4" in width) must be fitted between adjoining rooms and also in rooms measuring more than 32 feet in the direction of the panel length and more than 25 feet in the direction of the panel width.
Doorways
Doorway transitions must be used if a doorway is 4 feet wide or less. Doorways over 4 feet do not require a transition if the 3/8" expansion requirement is maintained. Door jambs must be properly undercut to allow the laminate to freely expand and contract. Please comply exactly with the installation instructions that follow. Mohawk will not accept complaints in cases of faulty installation.
Pre-Installation Product Acclimation
For a minimum of 48 hours prior to installation, acclimate the Mohawk laminate to the environment (i.e., the rooms in which it will be installed). The room temperature should be between 55° - 85° F, with a 35% - 90% relative humidity. Follow these steps in acclimating Mohawk laminate:
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Do not open the cartons
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Stack the cartons towards the center of the room (not an outside wall)
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Stack no more than five (5) cartons high
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Keep stacked cartons at least 6 inches apart
Moisture Test
Always test the subfloor for moisture prior to beginning your installation. If the subfloor's vapor emission is less than 5 lbs./24 hours/1000 sq. ft. (using a calcium chloride test), the 6 mil. polyethylene will suffice. If the vapor emission is greater than 5 lbs./24 hours/1000 sq. ft., the concrete floor must be sealed before beginning the installation. If using a Tramex concrete moisture encounter meter, the reading must be no higher than 5.
Installation Layout
In general, plan to install planks toward the room's light source (windows). Always install planks lengthwise in a hallway.
Where to Install:
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All rooms of your home
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All grade levels
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Install over flat, well-bonded vinyl floors; over concrete, ceramic tile, terrazzo and marble; over board type underlayment, never install over carpet.
Subfloor Preparation:
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Subfloor must be clean, dry and flat
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Door trims and door jambs must be undercut to allow the floor to move freely
Install Mohawk Underlayment
6 mil. polyethylene film should be used with Mohawk underlayment when installing over concrete subfloor. Do not overlap underlayment.
Install First Rows:
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Inspect each piece prior to installation for damaged boards.
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Always pull from at least three (3) cartons while installing to minimize pattern repeats.
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Lay first row of boards with tongue side facing the wall.
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If the starting wall is crooked, trace the contour of the wall on the first row of planks and trim as needed, ensure that the tongue is removed.
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Put spacers around the entire perimeter of the room to maintain 3/8" expansion zone.
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Lay pieces from left to right. Lock the end joints by installing at an angle to the previous board or laying flat tapping gently with a tapping block.
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When measuring the last piece in the row, subtract 3/8" from the end of the board to maintain expansion zone.
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Cut decorative side face up if using handsaw or decorative side down if using power saw to minimize chipping.
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If the cut-off piece from the first row is 8" or longer, use it to start the second row. If it is less than 8", cut a full board in half and use that.
Installing Remaining Rows:
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Continue laying boards, one row at a time
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Install the long end of the first board in the second row at an angle to the board in the first row.
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Angle the end joint of the second board in the second row to lock into the first board. Position the board so that the long side of the board is close to the boards in the first row and overlapping the groove of the boards in the first row.
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Angle up and push forward until the boards lock together.
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Follow the order described above to continue laying the boards in the second row. After all boards in the row are installed, press or walk all boards flat to the subfloor to begin the next row.
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Use a pull bar if needed to tighten joints.
Install Moldings and Transition Strips:
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Remove spacers and install finish moldings.
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Attach molding and transition strips with nails, construction adhesive or silicon.
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Never fasten transition pieces or moldings to the laminate flooring and always maintain 1/4" expansion space for transitions and 3/8" for moldings (quarter round).
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Use T-Molds in all doorways four (4) feet wide or smaller and where room is larger than 32 feet board length and 25 feet board width.
Installing Under Door Casings:
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Cut off protruding locking groove side along the plank
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Apply 1/8" bead of Mohawk laminate glue to the bottom of the groove (long and short ends)
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Use masking tape every few inches on joints to hold planks securely in place until glue sets up and dries (1/2 hours time for set up). Remove dried glue with plastic scraper.
Follow Mohawk installation instructions; see Mohawk Product Manual for more detailed instructions. If questions please call Mohawk Technical Services 888-387-9881 prompt 3.
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