Tips and Maintenance

INSTALLATION
DO: LEVEL YOUR SUBFLOOR PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
An uneven subfloor makes assembly difficult, forces seems to open up and leads to premature wear.  The key is to sand high points and fill low spots.
DO: USE A POLY VAPOUR BARRIER
This is an inexpensive way to ensure protection against moisture penetration from below and a must over concrete or radiant heat. 
DO: LEAVE A PROPER EXPANSION GAP DURING INSTALLATION
All wood products expand and contract with changes in humidity. If the floor cannot move safely beneath mouldings, walls or door jambs then it will have no choice but to push up from the subfloor.
DO: INSPECT EACH PIECE PRIOR TO INSTALLATION
Grading rules for all types of flooring include a 5% allowance for manufacturing defects. Flawed pieces can be trimmed or used in out-of-sight locations such as closets. If a consistent problem is noticed, please suspend the installation until the supplying dealer has been consulted.

DON’T: USE TOO MUCH GLUE
The precise milling of the tongue and groove means a thin bead of glue is all that is necessary.  Too much glue makes a tight fit impossible and could cause the joints to swell.
DON’T: TAP ON THE GROOVE DURING INSTALLATION
Use a proper knock block on the TONGUE SIDE ONLY to avoid chipping the wear surface.

MAINTENANCE
DO: SWEEP & VACUUM YOUR FLOOR REGULARLY TO REMOVE ABRASIVE GRIT
Use liquid cleaners only as required to remove smudges. Overuse of liquid cleaner may result in a residual buildup that will detract from the appearance of the floor.
DO: MAINTAIN THE HUMIDITY IN YOUR HOME
All wood products will shrink if the relative humidity falls below 40%.
DO: USE A CLEANER FORMULATED FOR LAMINATE FLOORS
Cleaners containing water will cause the joints of the floor to swell and may cause the finish to become cloudy. Cleaners containing ammonia will damage the finish.
DO: USE PROTECTOR PADS ON FURNITURE LEGS & MATS IN HIGH TRAFFIC AREAS.
While laminate flooring is more scratch resistant than other types of wood flooring it is NOT SCRATCH PROOF.

DON’T: APPLY ANY CLEANER DIRECTLY ONTO THE FLOOR.
This will result in liquid penetrating into the seams. Instead, spray a small amount of cleaner onto a cloth or mop and then wipe the area being cleaned, making sure no excess cleaner remains on the floor.
DON’T: WET MOP YOUR FLOOR
Wood and water don’t mix. A slightly damp cloth is usually all that’s needed to wipe smudges.