Fitting / Installation Instructions and Care

ITtiles are constructed with a patented interlocking joint that locks the tile together to form a tight, durable, water resistant joint. ITtile flooring is installed as a free floating floor so it’s quick and easy to install with no adhesive required. All you need is a smooth dry surface and a few basic hand tools. Once the floor is installed it can receive traffic immediately.

Tools Required

• Utility Knife
• Carpenter Square
• Chalkline
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Recommended Use

• Residential and light commercial applications
• Interior use in enclosed, climate controlled areas
• Do not install over ramps

General Information

• Always store and transport cartons stacked neatly on a smooth, flat, solid surface
• Do not stack more than 10 cartons high.
• Acclimate flooring and room at a constant temperature between 65F and 85F for 32 hours prior to, during and 32 hours after installation. Thereafter maintain temperatures between 65F and 85F.
• Mix tile from several different cartons to ensure a random appearance.
• Always allow a ¼” expansion space around the entire perimeter of the room and at all fixtures and pipes. Cover the exposed edges with trim or fill the gap with a high quality silicone caulking.
• Note: All base cabinets must be installed prior to installing flooring.
• Do not install base cabinets or island cabinets on top of the floor.

Preparing the Area

• Remove all furniture and appliances from the room(s)
• Remove wall and doorway trim
• Undercut door casings

Subfloor Recommendations

ITtile can be installed over a variety of subfloor surfaces including concrete on all grade levels, wood and many existing hard surface floors. The subfloors must be clean, smooth, flat, solid and dry. Do not install ITtile over floors that are sloped for drainage. Any uneven areas greater than 1/16” in 3’ should be leveled with a portland cement based patching compound. Vinyl tiles are resistant to water damage but they do not prevent the transmission of moisture. Care should be taken to keep moisture from collecting on either side of the vinyl floor to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Wood Subfloors

IT-tile are suitable for installation over double layer wood subfloors that are a minimum of 1” thick, or single layer subfloors constructed with APA rated Sturd-I-Floor panels, 23/32” or heavier. Joist spacing should not exceed 19.2”. Set fasteners 1/32” below the subfloor surface, sand joints smooth and fill holes and gaps wider than 1/8” wide. Install suitable underlayment when necessary to achieve a flat or solid surface. ITtile can be installed over underlayment grade plywood, lauan plywood and other underlayments recommended by the manufacturer for use with luxury vinyl tile. Installation over oriented stand board and particle board is not recommended since these panels presents a greater risk of sub-floor instability and can detract from the performance of the floor. Wooden subfloors installed over a crawlspace should have a moisture barrier installed in the crawlspace with at least 18 inches of ground clearance.

NOTE: Avoid subfloors with excessive vertical movement or deflection because subfloor movement will telegraph through to the finished installation. Indications of excessive deflection are subfloor fastener release, squeaking, compromised or sectional contours such as bowing or dipping in floors and uneven flooring material. Nail or screw subfloor panels to secure boards with excessive vertical movement or deflection prior to installation of ITtile. If the subfloor has excessive vertical movement (deflection) before installation of the flooring, it is likely it will do so after installation of the flooring is complete. Our warranties DO NOT cover any problems caused by inadequate substructures or improper installation of said substructures.

Concrete Subfloors

ITtile can be installed over concrete on all grade levels, if a proper moisture barrier is used. Moisture vapor emissions should not exceed 5 lbs./24 hour per 1,000 sq. when tested with the Anhydrous Calcium Chloride Test in accordance with ASTM F 1869 or 80% RH in accordance with ASTM F 2170 “Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Slabs using in situ Probes. A 6 mil polyurethane moisture barrier should be used with concrete subfloors. Fill cracks; saw cuts and control joints and level uneven areas that exceed 1/16” in 3’. Do not install flooring over expansion joints.

Existing Flooring

ITtile can be installed over a variety of finished floors including single layer resilient sheet floor and tile, ceramic, marble and terrazzo. The surface must be in good condition and show no signs of excessive moisture conditions. Level deep or wide grout lines with embossing leveler. Do not install flooring over heavily cushioned floors or over tile installed over concrete below grade level. The grout joints in ceramic tile and marble must be leveled so they are flush with the tile surface. Additionally the tile may require several skim coats to achieve a flat surface.

Radiant Heated Systems

ITtile can be installed over in-floor radiant heating systems provided the subfloor surface does not exceed 85F at any point. The initial floor temperature should not exceed 70F for 24 hours prior to and 48 hours after installation. Thereafter the temperature should be gradually increased to the desired setting up to 85F. Radiant heating systems that are installed on top of the subfloor surface and covered with self-leveling underlayment are not recommend.

Asbestos Warning for Old Floors
WARNING! DO NOT MECHANICALLY CHIP OR PULVERIZE OLD EXISTING RESILIENT FLOORING, BACKING, LINING FELT, ASPHALTIC “CUTBACK” ADHESIVES OR OTHER ADHESIVES. Previously installed resilient floor covering products and the asphaltic or cutback adhesives used to install them may contain either asbestos fibers and/or crystalline silica (especially in pre-1974 floors). The tile in this carton DO NOT contain asbestos or crystalline silica. Avoid creating dust. Inhalation of asbestos or crystalline dust is a cancer and respiratory tract hazard. Vistit the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) publication “Recommended Work Practices for Removal of Resilient Floor Coverings” for detailed information and instructions on removing old resilient covering structures.

Tools Required

• Utility Knife
• Carpenter Square
• Chalkline
• Tape measure
• Pencil

Installation

• For best appearance tiles should be installed parallel to the long dimension of the room and preferably parallel with outside light sources i.e. windows and doors.
• Determine the layout to achieve the largest cut tile at the walls and snap a chalkline at the starting point.
• Install tile in a random layout (Figure 1A). Start with a whole tile in the center of the room with the tongue side and end toward the wall. Lay the first row of tiles along the chalkline and trim to fit to the wall allowing a ¼”expansion space. Note: If starting the first row with a whole width tile it will be necessary to trim the tongue off against the wall. Always place the cut edge against the wall. To trim tile, use a utility knife and a straight edge. Score the top surface of the tile and flex it downward to separate the pieces.
• Glue is not needed.
• From the center out, connect pieces.
• Trim tile at walls edge. It is important to leave a quarter inch (10mm) gap between wall and tile. (This leaves room for expansion of floor.)
• From the center out, connect pieces.
• Detailed Instructions Here

Special Instructions

Bathrooms

When ITtiles are installed in a bathroom the flooring can be laid under the toilet only if the floor is separated from adjacent rooms with a doorway threshold. Otherwise the flooring should be installed around the toilet leaving a 1/8” expansion space. Use a high quality silicone caulking to fill the expansion space at the tub, shower and all wet areas to prevent surface water seepage under the floor.

Stairs

ITtiles can be installed fully adhered over steps using a high quality pressure sensitive luxury vinyl tile adhesive (glue). Follow the instructions on the adhesive for trowel size and drying time. Always use a flush stair nose molding to finish each step at the nose.

Finishing the Job

Remove all spacers. Install wall trim lightly over the floor surface. Drive fasteners into the wall and not the floor. When installing doorway transition moldings allow a ¼” expansion space between the edge of the floor and the molding. Do not drive fasteners into the floor. Return appliances to the room by rolling or sliding over strips of hardboard to prevent damaging the floor.

Floor Care

• Frequently moved furniture should be equipped with felt pads to avoid scratching the floor. Heavy furniture and appliances should be equipped with non staining large surface floor protectors. Furniture with castors or wheels must be easy swiveling, large surface non-staining and suitable for resilient floors. Do not use ball type castors as they can damage the floor.
• Avoid exposure to long periods of direct sunlight. Close blinds or drapes during peak sunlight hours.
• Use walk off mats at entrances to prevent dirt and grit from being tracked on to the floor.
• Sweep or vacuum the floor regularly to remove loose dirt. Avoid using a vacuum with a beater bar.
• Clean up spills immediately.
• Damp mop as needed using clean water and a diluted floor cleaner. Do not use harsh cleaners or chemicals on the floor.

For more installation information, contact your local retailer or contact:
ITtile
Attention: Technical Services Department (Vinyl tile)
Email: info@ITtile.com
Tel: 602.501.9075
Fax: 816.765.7345
or
4632 N. 7th Avenue - Building D, Phoenix, Az 85013 USA