INSTALLING
SHEET VINYL:
Once the sheet vinyl has been cut to exact size, it should be positioned
on the floor and the edges should be as close as possible to the
wall. Check with your flooring dealer for the method for adhesion
to be used with the flooring you have chosen. If
stapling the flooring, begin along the longest edge of the room.
The staples should be spaced approximately 3" apart and as close
to the wall as possible. After you have completed one wall, move
on to an adjoining wall and repeat the same fastening technique.
As you staple, make sure that t he new flooring is being pulled
up tightly against the wall. The type of sheet vinyl flooring that
can be installed with staples usually can be stretched slightly,
and you should do this before you drive each staple.
The
remaining walls are done in a similar manner, except that you will
want to pull tighter before stapling these.
If
fastening the sheet around the edges with adhesive, apply it to
the floor with a toothed trowel, according to the manufacturer's
directions. Work from the corners to the center of each length of
the wall.
For
single layer vinyl flooring or where foot traffic is heavy, the
manufacturer will recommend an adhesive. Apply the adhesive evenly
on the floor with a wide spreader over a few square feet at a time,
and then press the material down firmly on it. Be sure that the
entire surface is well covered with cement and that there are no
bulges in the material where it has failed to adhere. Air bubbles
under the sheet material are hard to remove after it is down; try
to avoid them. As soon as all the sheet material has been cemented
in place, roll it down with a heavy roller, which usually can be
rented from a flooring dealer. A regular garden roller can be used,
provided it is clean and smooth. Place weights on the seams to prevent
their corning loose before the cement has fully dried.
If
the sheet material installation requires a seam, use a sharp utility
knife to cut the most intricate piece first, malting it 3 " oversized
on all sides, including the seam. If using adhesive, spread it on
the floor for this piece, stopping about 10" from the seam. Position
the flooring. Cut the second sheet, so it overlaps the seam at least
2". Spread adhesive over the rest of the floor, stopping 2" from
the edge of the first sheet. Align the second piece carefully. Then
cut half-moon shapes at the edge of each seam so the ends butt the
walls. With a straightedge and utility knife, cut through both sheets
at the point where the seam will be. Lift up both halves and apply
adhesive. Clean the seam and use the recommended seam sealer.
Baseboards
and Moldings-
Install baseboards or shoe molding around the room so that they
cover the gap between the flooring and walls. Leave a slight space,
about the thickness of a matchbook cover, between the bottom of
the baseboard and the surface of the floor to allow for movement.
FINISHING
TOUCHES:
Clean the flooring only with a solvent recommended by the manufacturer
to avoid damaging the finish. Clean up any adhesive that may have
spilled onto the surface. Then roll the flooring so that it sets
firmly and flatly in the adhesive. You can rent a heavy roller for
this job.
Start
at the center of the room and roll firmly. After the floor has been
cleaned and rolled, replace the baseboard and any other trim.
