INSTALLATION SAFEGUARDS FOR HARDWOOD FLOORS

Hardwood flooring is a kiln-dried product. Weaber's Wood Flooring is manufactured at a 6%-9% moisture content with a 5% allowance for pieces outside that range up to 12% moisture content. To maintain these moisture levels, do not truck or unload in rain, snow or other excessively humid conditions. Cover with a tarpaulin or vinyl if atmosphere is foggy or damp.

CHECK for the following conditions, and if they exist, correct them: Water or excessive moisture underneath or in the house, insufficient ventilation under the house, wet conditions, inadequate moisture retarder.

	CRAWL SPACE CONSTRUCTION - A ground cover of 4-6 mil polyethylene is essential as a moisture retarder. Ventilation must be provided with no dead air areas.
	CONCRETE SLAB CONSTRUCTION - Proper on-grade construction requires both a vapor retarder between the gravel fill and the slab to prevent moisture entry through the slab, and a vapor retarder on the top of the slab to prevent moisture from reaching the finished floor.
	SUBFLOORS - with 3/4" thick strip flooring use either kiln-dried boards of NO. 1 or NO. 2 Common Pine or other dense, Group 1 Softwoods suitable for subfloors over wood joists, or exterior plywood. If plywood, 5/8" (19/32") or 3/4" (23/32") performance rated products are preferred. Also, 3/4" (23/32") is a comparable substrate. With 1/2" thick strip flooring use a 3/4" (23/32") subfloor. Thinner materials can not be recommended as a preferred subfloor material. Flooring strips (no matter what length) should contain a MINIMUM of 2 nails. Nail all pieces within 1"-3" of the ends.
	HANDLING & STORAGE - Flooring should be stored in a dry well ventilated warehouse. Recently manufactured flooring should be allowed to acclimate to the area.
	BEFORE DELIVERY OF FLOORING, the building must be closed-in with outside windows and doors in place and sheetrock installed. All concrete, masonry, and framing members, etc. should be completely dry. Never pour concrete after flooring is delivered.
	AFTER DELIVERY OF FLOORING, it should be broken up into small lots and stored in the rooms where it will be installed. Allow four to five days for the flooring to become acclimated to that particular job site. Temperature and humidity should be maintained at or near occupancy levels.