INSTALLATION

• Bamboo flooring should be one of the last items installed for any new commercial or domestic application.
  
  
• All work involving water or moisture should be completed before bamboo flooring installation.
  
  
• Do not store bamboo (loose boards) long term directly on concrete or near outside walls.
  
  
• Premium green bamboo flooring may not be recommended for bathroom, laundry or wet areas for installation unless sub-floor and bamboo is properly sealed.
  
  
• During installation all bamboo cuts (sides or ends) must be sealed with sealing oil. Take special precautions and seal sides and ends near bathroom or laundry doors, windows and entries that could be subject to water ingress.

• Quality of your floor installation is dependent on quality and preparation of the sub-floor

• Plywood (10mm minimum).
  
  
• Existing wood floor.
  
  
• Resilient tile.
  
  
• Sub-floor grade particle board.
  
  
• Concrete slab.
  
  
• Ceramic tile.

• Structurally sound.
  
  
• Thoroughly swept or vacuumed to remove all debris. The sub-floor must be free of wax, grease, paint, sealer, old coating or adhesive, chemicals, sealants and any other substances.
  
  
• Level flat to 5mm per 3m radius.
  
  
• Sub-floor must be dry and remain dry year round.
  
  
• Moisture content of sub-floor must not exceed 4% for concrete. This can be tested with a commercial moisture meter. An approved primer and moisture barrier must be applied. We recommend Sika Primer MB.

• Must be dry and well secured, checked for moisture content.
  
  
• Free from any contaminants and may require sanding to improve glue adhesion.
  
  
• Installing on wood covered sub-base: Bond with Sika T55 and apply with ‘V’ notched adhesive trowel 1.25 X 600ml sausages per m2.
  
  
• Installing on wood covered sub-base upper floor and reduce noise to lower level. We recommend Sika Acoubond (Acoustic Underlay). Bond with Sika T53 1 X 600ml sausages per m2 and apply with Sika glue gun to each slot in underlay. Apply weights to floor until dry.

• Must be well bonded to sub-floor, in good condition, clean and level.
  
  
• Free from any contaminants and may require sanding or grinding to improve glue adhesion.
  
  
• Bond with Sika T55 and apply with ‘V’ notched adhesive trowel 1.25 X 600ml sausages per m2.

• Must be fully cured (at least 60 days). Do not install on concrete unless you are sure it stays dry all year round.
  
  
• All concrete must be checked for moisture content.
  
  
• Must be free from any contaminants and may require sanding or grinding to improve glue adhesion.
  
  
• Bond with Sika T55 and apply with ‘V’ notched adhesive trowel 1.25 X 600ml sausages per m2.
  
  
• Installing on upper floor and to reduce noise to lower level, we recommend Sika Acoubond (Acoustic Underlay). Bond with Sika T53 1 X 600ml sausages per m2 and apply with Sika glue gun to each slot in underlay. Apply weights to floor until dry.

• Check for sub-base moisture.
  
  
• Check floor with straight edge and mark depressions and high spots. Rectify if necessary with ‘Level Crete” or grinder. (Recheck moisture)
  
  
• Clean floor of paint, plaster, cement splashes, dust oil or grease etc. Sweep or vacuum.
  
  
• Apply moisture barrier Sika (MB) if moisture content is above 4% and ensure it is a continuous visible film. (Refer to Sika specifications)
  
  
• Open a box on delivery to confirm colour and type.
  
  
• Confirm direction of floor to be laid. Please note: if moisture barrier has been applied, wipe feet first with a clean cloth before commencing installation. If badly soiled it is recommended to clean with Sika Coma Cleaner. Etching of barrier may be required if the barrier has been down for a period of time.
  
  
• Layer must:
• Inspect each board for defects and grade for use.
  
  
• Stack into colour range (light, medium, dark) for blending.
  
  
• Check tongue and groove for excess coating.
  
  
• Select the straightest boards for the first few runs of color. Please note, you are dealing with a pre-finished product and be careful not to damages the boards. Keep work place clean and tidy, wipe up excess glue immediately and cover traffic areas to protect floor.



• Run string line from room entry point or longest part of the room.
  
  
• Secure the first run of boards along the “spine” with 3 anchor points of builders bog with a coating of Sika T55 between. Leave expansion joint of at least 5mm between flooring, walls and vertical objects.
  
  
• To glue doorways and close to walls – open T55 sausage and insert in Sika “technique” glue gun.
  
  
• Spread T55 evenly with trowel at the rate of 1.25 X 600ml sausages per m2.. More glue may be required in a hollow area to avoid dummy spots. Trowel at right angles to boards, this will help to highlight low areas in the slab.
  
  
• Spread one trowel width as this equals three board width.
  
  
• Gently press the boards together ensuring that the glue is adhering evenly to the board. Check for low points and apply extra glue where required.
  
  
• Chocking or clamping must be carried out within 1 hour of spreading glue at 30 degrees Celsius or at 2 hours at 20 degrees Celsius at 60% humidity.
  
  
• Ensure that the chock wedges are cut roughly at 15 degrees and that tongue and groove are matched.
  
  
• Be careful not to over tension the floor when chocking. The adhesive slowly gives owing to its high viscosity. Apply maximum pressure gradually to close up gap in first half of laid floor. Then back off a little to avoid over tension (over tension can cause boards to cup).
  
  
• Only lay enough flooring that can be comfortably handled before glue goes off.
  
  
• Once floor is clamped up check that it is thoroughly glued down by tapping the laid section for drumming and carefully apply weights to spot until drumming ceases.
  
  
• Whilst working, regularly clean the floor with a rag dipped in methylated spirits.
  
  
• On completion install beading around walls, ensuring that special care is taken around wall and door jams.
  
  
• Gap floor and beading with Fuller’s water based gapping compound and wipe clean with damp rag.
  
  
• Give the floor a final clean. Clean with a damp mop with warm water and methylated spirits (approximately 20 – 40ml in 4.5 litres of warm water).
  
  
• As a general rule, weights (drums of sand or water and boxes of bamboo) are used to press down the bamboo along the walls at the end of the day. Ensure that all weights are placed on carpet or cardboard to avoid scratching.

• Vacuum or sweep floor regularly.
  
  
• Remove spills promptly.
  
  
• Place mats at exterior and interior doors to trap sand and grit from incoming traffic.
  
  
• Use rugs on high traffic areas.
  
  
• Stick soft pads to the base of all furnishings in contact with the floor.
  
  
• When moving heavy furniture or appliances always pick it up rather than sliding it across the floor.
  
  
• Keeps pet’s claws properly trimmed to avoid excess scratches.
  
  
• Clean with damp mop with warm water and methylated spirits. (approximately 20 – 40ml in 4.5 litres of warm water).

• Do not let sand, dirt or grit to build up.
  
  
• Avoid walking in narrow point or stiletto heels.
  
  
• Do not use waxes, oil soap or other household cleaners on the floor. The use of these products can dull today’s floor finishes and make refurbishing difficult.