Post Installation Guide

If you are sensitive to dust and odors, good ventilation should be established. Some of the chemicals used in the construction of carpet, as well as the adhesives or hot melt seaming tapes, can have an odor for as long as 48 to 72 hours after installation. So be prepared to provide the room with adequate ventilation.

Proper maintenance is critical to the life your new floors. Please refer to our maintenance section for more information or call your salesperson.

Carpet seams are a natural product characteristic. Some carpet styles can show the placement of the seam tape more than others. This is referred to as telegraphing, or peaking, and it is particularly noticeable in low cut pile and looped carpets. A seam may be excellent and considered ‘tight’ but can still be seen.

Shedding is a natural part of a new carpet. Frequent vacuuming for the first few days should remove any loose fibers from the carpet’s surface.

Sprouting refers to small tufts or loops of carpet that become visible after the installation. Use a small pair of scissors to carefully trim the loose fibers flush with the surface of the carpet.

If wrinkles or ripples appear in the carpet, it may be necessary to re-stretch the carpet. Please contact us to have this done professionally. We will do this under warranty up to two years after installation.

Stone is porous and needs to be sealed in order to be protected from spills and stains.

If your vinyl floor was installed using the Full Spread method, no appliances should be moved in for a minimum of 24 to 72 hours after installation. Light foot traffic is allowed after 24 hours.

If the Perimeter Adhered installation method was utilized, no appliances should be moved in for a minimum of 24 to 72 hours after installation. Light foot traffic is allowed after 24 hours.

If the installers used the Floating method, appliances can be moved in immediately and foot traffic is OK immediately following installation.

When you are ready to move appliances back into the room, an underlayment type of product such as plywood or particleboard with a minimum thickness of 3/8,” placed on the new flooring prior to moving the appliances, will greatly reduce any mishaps.

Do not rely on the wheels that may be attached to the refrigerator to move the appliance back in as they can cause damage to the new floor.

Allow 5 days before thoroughly washing your floor. This will give time for the adhesive to cure.

Hardwood can be dented. Hardwood contains a cell structure and if enough pressure is applied, the cell wall will collapse and dents will appear. Spike or stiletto high-heel shoes, especially those in poor repair, may cause denting and related damage to hardwood floors due to the extremely high compressive force they generate. Such footwear can produce dynamic loads in excess of 1000 pounds per square inch, even when worn by someone of slight or average build. This is not covered by your warranty and the manufacturer will not accept claims from damages, which arise from such exposure.

Hardwood flooring can be scratched. Although the newer finishes are very durable, they can be scratched. Pets can be especially damaging to the finishes of hardwood flooring.

Improper Maintenance - always follow the manufacturer’s recommendations concerning care and maintenance. Damage caused by accidents such as indentations, scratches from sharp objects or dulling of the finish are not covered under the warranty. Wet mopping will invalidate the manufacturer’s warranty.

Improper Environment - Hardwood flooring is not warranted against damage caused by insects, floods, plumbing leaks or other extraordinary circumstances such as low or dry humidity.

Excessive Sunlight - fading or discoloration due to excessive sunlight is not covered by the warranties.

Checking of Veneer - Cracking or checks due to low relative humidity or dryness is not a manufacturing defect.

Laminate flooring is a floating floor than can be installed directly over various floor surfaces. A minimum of ¼” clearance space must be provided at walls, pipes, doorways, ect. to allow the floating floor to move freely.

Laminate can only be installed in areas that are constantly climate controlled. Vacation homes, especially near bodies of water, must be climate controlled year round to prevent excessive expansion or contraction of the flooring. Buckling can result in homes with excessive humidity levels.

Laminate flooring surfaces are extremely durable, but they can be scratched. These minor scratches are more apparent on darker floors. Pets can be especially damaging to the finishes of laminate flooring.

Due to the clearance space requirements of floating floors, ¾” quarter round must be installed around the perimeter of all laminate flooring. Moldings commonly known as base shoe are only ½” wide and are not sufficient to cover the edges of laminate during periods of contraction. The installation of quarter round molding is not included in the bid for your flooring unless specifically listed.

After Installation: Avoid walking or moving furniture onto the floor during the first 24 hours so the adhesive can dry properly.

 Make sure furniture has casters and/or wheels that are at least 1" in total diameter and will not scratch your new flooring (if necessary, use non-staining felt pads or non-staining hard plastic casters).

 Be sure to use hardboard/plywood runways to protect the new flooring from damage when replacing furniture (even if using a dolly).

If the vinyl floor has been seamed, avoid stepping on the seam sealer for 24 hours so it can dry undisturbed.

Avoid scrubbing or washing vinyl floors for at least three days after installation. Spot clean the floor as needed, avoiding all seams. Clean any adhesive residue with a clean white cloth dampened with mineral spirits