Inspection of Material
Material should be delivered to the job site in its original unopened packaging with all labels intact.
Please examine the packaging for any damage which may have occurred during transit. The contents shipped to you should be contained in a large box on an 8’ pallet and be wrapped in plastic shrink-wrap.
Upon receipt, all rolls of vinyl flooring should be immediately removed from this box, inspected and stood upright on a perfectly level surface or leaned again a wall in the most upright position possible. Failure to do so may result in deformation of the vinyl product, for which Stagestep is not responsible.
If you have any questions about the condition of the flooring you have received, or if the rolls have been removed from their packaging, please take multiple photos from different angles. Be sure the photos are clear with good lighting and no glare. Contact your Stagestep salesperson or our customer service representative as soon as possible.
Materials must be stored in an area that is fully enclosed and weather-tight, with a permanent HVAC system set to a uniform temperature of 68 degrees and a relative humidity of 50-70% for at least 72 hours prior to and during the installation.
Material should always be visually inspected during installation. No labor cost will be covered on claims based on visual defects that could have been seen prior to or during installation.
Caution:
All slabs must be covered with a vapor barrier. Use Stagestep’s vapor barrier. A water proofing concrete sealer, like Stagestep Bone Dry may also be used.
Wood, like vinyl, needs time to acclimate to the space. Slabs need to have a vapor barrier installed and there needs to be venting to the slab for air flow. Most wood floors require professional installation except for Stagestep’s Encore and Compass flooring systems. For more information on installation preparation for subfloors and wood flooring systems, please see page 19. For pricing of Stagestep installation products, including Springstep IV subfloor systems
Vinyl Floor Preparation — Do’s & Don’ts
DO: Make sure the smooth surface is up and foam or texture down when installing.
DO NOT: Flip flooring edge over edge. Flooring will tear or crack. Be careful not to severely bend vinyl flooring. Such bending or inadvertent stepping on folded flooring can result in stretch marks or cracking, depending on the type of vinyl.
DO: Wash the new floor 2-3 times with lukewarm water before using. For special non-slip requirements or treatments, call our customer support department.
DO NOT: Use rosin, solvents, abrasive cleaners, cola, vinegar, (concentrated) ammonia, bleach, or any product that says it will leave your floor shiny.
DO: Keep the space at a standard room temperature of 68°-78° F and have a humidity between 50-70% prior to and during the installation process. The use of humidifiers or dehumidifiers may be required.
Color Matching
When more than one roll of a color is being installed, all material should be from the same numbered batch. If material is from more than one batch, be sure to match the different batches as closely as possible. When installing Stagestep vinyl flooring, all sheets must be installed running in the same direction.
Associations and Institutes
For more extensive guidelines and information on the mentioned topics, we encourage you to contact the following associations:
• APA — The Engineered Wood Association 253-565-6600 or www.apawood.org
• ACI — American Concrete Institute 248-848-3700 or www.concrete.org
• PCA — Portland Cement Association 800-868-6733 or www.cement.org
• RFCI — Resilient Floor Covering Institute 301-340-8580 or www.rfci.com
• ASTM — American Society for Testing and Materials 610-832-9500 or www.astm.org
