STOMP INSTALLATION GUIDELINES

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This document has been created as an addendum to our STOMP technical data sheet to provide information regarding the recommended method of installation.

Surface Preparation

NOTE: Acoustic sealant shall be used at base of stud track of demising walls prior to installation of underlayment, where necessary.

When to install:

  • After 100% “dried in” (all windows and doors installed)
  • After drywall installation
  • Finish floor shall be installed within two weeks, if possible
  • Underlayment shall be protected from heavy wear, including use of stilts, hand-trucks, heavy equipment, etc.

Concrete Subfloor

  1. The slab must be good quality, standard density concrete with low water to cement ratios consistent with placing and finishing requirements.
  2. It shall have the maximum slump of 4”, a minimum compressive strength of 3500 psi and following the recommendations of ACI Standard 302.1 R for Class 2 or Class 4 floors and the Portland Cement Association’s recommendations for slabs on ground.
  3. The concrete slab must be dry, clean, smooth, structurally sound and free of foreign materials that might prevent an adhesive bond as described in ASTM F710 “Standard Practice for Preparing Concrete Floors to Receive Resilient Flooring.”
  4. For grade- or below-grade concrete, refer to detailed instructions for vapor retarder. NOTE: Do not use spray-on curing compounds because they reduce the drying rate of concrete and can interfere with the adhesive bond.
  5. Before installation of the finished flooring, moisture, alkali, and bond testing much be conducted.
  6. Moisture testing must be performed in accordance with ASTM F2170 “Standard Test Method for Determining Relative Humidity in Concrete Floor Slabs Using in situ Probes” (preferred method) or in accordance with ASTM F1869 “Standard Test method for Measuring Moisture Vapor Emission Rate of Concrete Subfloor Using Anhydrous Calcium Chloride.”
  7. The concrete must be dry with moisture emission rates that do not exceed 3 lbs. per 1000 sf in 24 hours.
  8. The surface of the concrete must have a pH of 9 or less.
  9. Bond testing must be completed to determine compatibility of the adhesives to the concrete slab.
  10. Above-grade concrete is usually protected from most sources of moisture except the moisture initially in the mix and water vapor in the atmosphere. As with concrete placed on and below grade, above-grade concrete must be kept damp during the curing process to permit hydration to occur.
  11. Floors on metal decks or above-grade structural concrete floors must be dried and must meet the same requirements as slabs on grade.

Gypsum concrete surface preparation

  1. Surfaces to receive STOMP shall be clean and cured per the gypsum concrete manufacturers’ curing instructions.

Wood subfloor surface preparation

  1. Surfaces to receive STOMP shall be broom cleaned and smooth with no protruding fasteners.
  2. If not adequately smooth, all protrusions greater than 1/16” shall be scraped from surface, as they will telegraph through underlayment.
  3. Acclimate the rolls of STOMP for a minimum of 24 hours at temperatures 60°F or greater to reduce material stiffness when unrolling.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Planks should be installed perpendicular (90 degrees) to the STOMP underlayment pattern.

PLACE THE BLACK SIDE UP ONTO THE SUB-FLOOR FOR:

  • Glue down engineered wood or hardwood floors
  • Nail down engineered wood or hardwood floors
  • Floating engineered wood or hardwood floors
  • Glue down carpet tiles
  • All others: LVT, laminates
  1. Starting in one corner of the room, unroll STOMP flush with the existing wall and cut to required Use a straight edge and cut with a utility knife.
    1. STOMP shall run in the gap under the drywall (BEYOND the baseboard) and can butt against the baseplate and/or stud track. The STOMP underlayment does not expand/contract with thermal changes.
  2. Roll out additional STOMP rolls, tightly butting the side edges to one Do not overlap seams. Butt joints shall not have openings exceeding 1/16” (this will allow additional sound to pass through).

NOTE: Sheet goods do not need to be unrolled, and may be placed directly in place.

  1. End joints should be staggered
  2. The seams should be taped with an approved impermeable tape. Tape should be rolled out to ensure no bubbles or wrinkles exist.
    1. Taping is not required for hardwood or laminate applications if on wood sub-floor
  3. STOMP is easily cut to fit around irregular objects and columns.

Installation of Hardwood Floors

Nail down, glue down, or free floating

IMPORTANT NOTE: Planks should be installed perpendicular (90 degrees) to the STOMP underlayment pattern.

  1. Acclimate the floor covering at the installation site per the flooring manufacturer’s requirements. The floor covering manufacturer’s recommended installation guidelines must be followed using recommended pressure sensitive or premium vinyl adhesives and application directions.
  2. Apply the floor covering manufacturer’s recommended adhesives (if glue down hardwood) directly onto the STOMP following flooring manufacturer’s application instructions.
  3. Ensure the seams of STOMP underlayment are offset from the seams of the wood flooring.
  4. Hardwood should NOT contact drywall or base plate directly. Where locked under baseboard, acoustic sealant should be used. Typical finish with 1/8” bead.

Installation of Carpet Tile

IMPORTANT NOTE: For glue down carpet tiles, place the black side facing UP onto the sub-floor.

  1. Using premium, polyurethane based vinyl tile adhesive, glue down the STOMP to the subfloor.
  2. Acclimate the floor covering at the installation site per the flooring manufacturer’s requirements. The floor covering manufacturer’s recommended installation guidelines must be followed using recommended pressure sensitive or premium vinyl adhesives and application direction.
  3. Apply the floor covering manufacturer’s recommended adhesives directly onto the STOMP, following flooring manufacturer’s application instructions.
  4. Ensure the seams of STOMP underlayment are offset from the seams of the wood flooring.

Storage Requirements

Should be stored in a dry environment. May be stored in temperatures ranging from 0°F to + 110°F, but should be allowed to acclimate prior to installation. If material stiffens, it may be softened more rapidly using a heat gun.

Note:

STOMP is not designed for use under ceramic, porcelain or VCT tile. Recommended for use with LVT 5mm or thicker.