Laying instructions for Starclic 4,2 - 5 mm

LAYING INSTRUCTIONS Starclic 4.2 - 5 mm www.hwzi.ch

Contents

Summary of contents

Basic rules for laying

3

General requirements for the base layers

4

Underlay materials

8

Conservatories at home

10

Hints for laying

11

10 tips for laying perfect floors

14

Starclic 4.2 - 5 mm Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

15

Accessories

21

Underlay materials Installation materials

Cleaning and care

24

General information about cleaning Dr. Schutz detergents

Warranty conditions

32

2

Basic rules for laying

Basic rules for laying USEFUL INFORMATION

SERVICE CLASSES

Vinyl / SPC / susify is hardwearing, healthy to live with and extremely easy to clean - ideal for use in a wide variety of areas of the home. The large selection of patterns, formats and surface structures lets you create your own completely unique interior design: With contemporary looks and an authentic feel for a homely and pleasant atmosphere.

Its properties, requirements and test methods are defined under European standards for vinyl/ SPC/susify flooring. These are presented simply and transparently using the service classes.

Depending on the results obtained – in line with the requirements and the load/usage intensity – the flooring is assigned to the classes for private use (around 20), commercial/public use (around 30) or industrial use (around 40).

Service classes in private areas Service class

Pictogram

Load intensity

Area of application (e.g.)

21

moderate use

Bedrooms, storage rooms

22

normal use

Living rooms, dining rooms

22+

normal use

as 22, but with heavier use

23

heavy use

Kitchen, hallway

Load intensity

Area of application (e.g.)

31

moderate use

Hotel rooms, small offices

32

normal use

Offices, hotel corridors

33

heavy use

Classrooms, large offices, clothes shops

34

intensive use

as 33 but with increased requirements

Load intensity

Area of application (e.g.)

Precision mechanics/electronics workshops with light vehicular traffic Storage areas or workshop areas where there is moderate use

Service classes in the commercial sector Service class

Pictogram

Service classes in the industrial sector Service class

Pictogram

41

moderate use

42

normal use

43

heavy use

Storage areas or production halls

3

General requirements for the base layers

General requirements for the base layers As a general rule and as part of their requirement to carry out an inspection and due diligence, the contractor for flooring work or the private individual laying their own flooring must be reasonably satisfied that the base is ready for laying before the flooring is laid. The following points in particular must be taken into account when assessing whether these floors are ready to be laid. Failure to comply with these will render any claims under the guarantee or warranty void.

These values apply to screeds that do not have any admixtures. When using admixtures or fast-drying screeds, the measurements and limits specified by the respective manufacturer must be observed. The test sample must be taken from the lower third of the screed. The thickness of the screed must also be measured and recorded.

CHECKING THE MOISTURE LEVEL IN THE BASE LAYER:

Refer to the current standards when checking that the base layer is even. To do this, place a measuring rod or straight edge on the highest points of the surface. This is how you determine the depth at the deepest point in relation to the supporting surfaces (measurement intervals). With a measurement interval of 180 cm, the vertical deviation must not exceed 3 mm. Larger deviations should be compensated for by taking appropriate action, e.g. by using self-levelling compounds.

The test is conducted using a CM device.

The following limit values must not be exceeded: • For cement screeds ≤ 2 CM % – heated screeds ≤ 1.8 CM % • For calcium sulphate screeds / calcium sulphate flowing screeds ≤ 0.5 CM % – heated screeds ≤0.3 CM %

CHECKING THAT THE BASE LAYER IS EVEN:

Living area climate over the year

Air humidity in %

Too humid Please take care not to exceed or fall below the ideal humidity value shown in the diagram over the course of the year.

Ideal value 35-60 %

Too dry

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

4

General requirements for the base layers

CHECKING THE LOAD BEARING CAPACITY OF THE BASE LAYER: The base layer must be a closed self-supporting layer.

When laying floors using a floating installation, any of the base layers can be used if they meet the requirements listed above. This includes in particular: • all types of screed, including hot water-based heating screeds

CHECKING THAT THE BASE LAYER IS CLEAN:

• Chipboard constructions

The base layer must have been vacuumed beforehand.

• Fibreboard • Existing floor coverings such as PVC, linoleum, natural stone slabs and ceramic tiles

CHECKING THE AMBIENT CLIMATIC CONDITIONS: The following conditions must be met before, during and after installation:

Unsuitable base layers: As a general rule, designer flooring may only be installed on solid, non-floating base layers. Failure to comply with these will render any claims under the guarantee or warranty void.

• an indoor room temperature of at least 18 °C • a ground surface temperature of at least 15 °C • relative humidity between 35 % – 60 %

Ideal temperature

The maximum surface temperature of 60 °C for SPC flooring and of 32 °C for vinyl/susify flooring must not be exceeded.

In addition, a very rapid heating sequence must be avoided.

5

General requirements for the base layers

PLEASE NOTE In each case, temperatures in the area of the installed surface must be typical for living areas throughout the year.

We recommend heating the affected rooms in winter and protecting them from direct sunlight or darkening them in summer by taking appropriate precautions (e.g. roller blinds or venetian blinds).

If these recommendations and regulations are not complied with, any guarantee or warranty claims on the part of HWZI are excluded.

The following are regarded as base layers with limited suitability: • Electrically operated underfloor heating systems (controlled surface temperature) Electric underfloor heating systems are classified as base layers with limited suitability. This is because a number of foil-based, electric heating systems can generate surface temperatures much higher than 28 °C. Approval will be given for an electrically operated underfloor heating system: If this can be controlled digitally and there is a guarantee that the surface temperature never exceeds 28° C. In addition, technical approval for designer floors must be given by the manufacturer of the heating system. There is NO guarantee for products that are installed on infrared underfloor heating.

Screeds / concrete bases When laying floating designer flooring on screeds, please note that rising damp must be expected.

Accordingly, prior to the installation of a systemrelated insulation underlay, all screeds (with the exception of mastic asphalt) must have (see point: Caution! underlay materials) a moisture protection foil SD value ≥ 75 m must be installed as a vapour barrier over the entire surface and in the form of a tray, if the underlay mat does not offer an equivalent function. When properly installed by a professional, the sheets of moisture protection film must overlap by 5 - 20 cm in the joint area, depending on the design. If no underlay mat is being used, the moisture protection foil should still be used for decoupling under the designer flooring.

Screeds with hot water underfloor heating When installing a heated floor construction, all parties involved (builder, architect, heating planner, heating contractor, installer, flooring manufacturer) must work in coordination with each other. Every surface-heated floor requires use-related planning and coordination with regard to the heating system and the screed. This is to ensure that there is no damage and the best possible functionality over the long term. In addition to the usual tests of the installation's base layer, the underfloor heating or cooling system must be tested for functionality (functional heating or cooling). This proof of proper heating and cooling of the screed construction must be provided at all times of the year and documented in a heating and cooling log.

DIN EN 1264-2 EN 1264-2 specifies the framework conditions and the test for determining the performance of hot water underfloor heating systems as a function of the difference between the heating medium temperature and the room temperature. The heat output is checked by calculation and by taking measurements.

6

General requirements for the base layers

When heating the load or heat distribution layer, a distinction is made between functional heating and heating for readiness for covering.

• The functional heating is the heating contractor's proof of the provision of non-defective workmanship. It also serves to check the functional efficiency of the heated floor construction.

• Heating for readiness for covering is the process of driving out the residual moisture in the screed until it is ready for covering.

PLEASE NOTE Functional heating does not ensure that the screed has reached the residual moisture required for readiness for covering. As a result, heating to readiness for covering is usually required.

Natural stone and ceramic tiles Residual moisture must be expected to rise and, accordingly, before the system-related insulation underlay (see point: Caution! underlay materials) a moisture protection foil SD value ≥ 75 m must be installed as a vapour barrier over the entire surface and in the form of a tray. If footstep soundproofing is laminated on the back of the design floor, you must not lay any further insulation underlay.

OSB, chipboard and fibreboard To improve the footstep soundproofing, lay a system-appropriate insulating underlay before installing designer flooring (see point: Caution! underlay materials). If no underlay mat is being used or if you are installing a floor covering with an integrated underlay mat, a 0.2 mm PE construction foil should be installed for decoupling purposes.

Wooden floorboards Any loose panels should be properly screwed in place. To improve the footstep soundproofing, lay system-appropriate insulation underlay before installing the designer flooring (see point: Caution! underlay materials). If no underlay mat is being used or if you are installing a floor covering with an integrated underlay mat, a 0.2 mm PE construction foil should be installed for decoupling purposes.

Elastic floor coverings (PVC, linoleum, vinyl) These floor coverings do not require a moisture protection film. As this elastic floor covering acts in the same way as the vapour barrier. To improve the footstep soundproofing, lay a system-related insulation underlay before installing the designer flooring. Designer flooring with an underlay mat laminated to the back can be laid directly onto the elastic floor covering. (see point: Caution! underlay materials) Wet rooms / damp rooms You can even install designer flooring in damp rooms – with the exception of saunas. Failure to comply with these will render any claims under the guarantee or warranty void.

DIN 18365 The DIN 18365 standard for "floor covering work" applies to the laying of floor coverings in sheets and tiles made of linoleum, plastic, elastomer, textiles and cork as well as to the laying of multi-layer elements.

7

Underlay materials

Underlay materials The correct base layer is crucial when laying floor coverings. This is why we recommend that an underlay mat is used. If this is not used and therefore the specifications for the base for the floor are not fulfilled, the guarantee will be invalidated.

The following values are crucial here:

DL: SPECIFICATIONS FOR DYNAMIC STRESS Dynamic stress (DL) is created when people walk around in a room and also when chairs are used. In such cases, the underlay must be able to withstand short-term loads without changing its properties in the long term. This ability is expressed by the DL value. The higher the DL value, the longer the underlay will withstand dynamic demands. A DL value of 10,000 cycles is recommended. For increased stress, the DL value should be at least 100,000 cycles.

CS, CC AND PC: SPECIFICATIONS FOR STATIC STRESS The CS and CC values define the requirements for static loading. This is created when the floor covering is permanently loaded by fixed, heavy furniture. The underlay should be able to withstand very high static loads without giving way an excessive amount. A high CS value is important to maximise the service life of the click connections.

The underlay must not give too much so that the floor covering is protected from deformation and damage due to vertical movement. The CS value

must be greater than 500 kPa. This means that the higher the CS value, the better the protection against this damage. In terms of longterm exposure, the CC value is an important factor.

Heavy pieces of furniture that are in a permanent location on the floor subject the floor to constant stress. The CC value is used to evaluate how the underlay behaves over a load period of 10 years.

For increased requirements, the CC value should be at least 20 kPa. In addition, the underlay mat should not exceed a point levelling capacity (PC) of up to 0.5 mm at a thickness of 1.5 mm.

WHY ARE UNDERLAYS NEEDED WHEN LAYING FLOORING? An underlay only makes sense if it also contributes to the quality of the flooring system. The underlay represents the connection of the floor to the base layer and must therefore meet certain requirements. Most importantly, this includes clearing up any unevenness in the base layer. The floor is protected from everyday wear and tear and also from residual moisture. In addition to footstep soundproofing and walking comfort, thermal insulation is also an important factor.

8

Underlay materials

WE RECOMMEND THE DB COVER UNDERLAY MAT WHEN LAYING OUR FLOORING: An outstanding feature of the elastic footstep soundproofing underlay is the unique reduction in the walking noise from footsteps. The DB Cover is produced using state-of-the-art technology from recyclable and renewable raw materials and is the ideal insulating underlay for designer flooring. The compressive strength of the DB Cover underlay mat is particularly remarkable. Its CS value of 1677 kPa is significantly higher than conventional underlay mats. It is easy to handle and install. The underlay mat is a winner twice over thanks to its long service life and its maintenance-free design. The icing in the cake is the fact that these advantages are complemented by its excellent value for money.

With designer flooring the insulation underlay is laid with the white textile side facing upwards.

9

Conservatories at home

Conservatories at home A residential conservatory is a conservatory that is intended for use as a living area throughout the year and therefore also for use at comfortable temperatures (more than 19 °C). This means that the temperature cannot drop below 15 °C even in the winter. Solar heating in summer is limited by natural shading and/or design elements such as ventilation, appropriate glazing and solar shading depending on local conditions and the direction the conservatory faces, so as to avoid excessive temperature fluctuations at ground level. The indoor climatic conditions must be accounted for: • Climate during laying: The indoor air temperature should be 20 °C (at least 15 °C), relative air humidity between 35 % and 60 % • Permanent living climate: The indoor air temperature should be between 18 °C and 22 °C, relative air humidity between 35 % and 60 % The surface temperature of the floor must not exceed 32 °C for vinyl/susify flooring or 60 °C for SPC floor coverings.

The installation can only be carried out on a base layer that meets the specifications of DIN 18356 "Parquet floorboards" and DIN 18365 "Floor covering work".

• The construction is permanently protected against rising damp from the ground.

• The substructure should be insulated in such a way that damage due to temperature differences or condensation cannot occur.

• In the case of screeds, the residual moisture values must be checked using a CM meter before laying and should be adhered to strictly: • Cement coating heated/unheated: 1.8 CM% / 2.0 CM% • Calcium sulphate screed heated/unheated: 0.5 CM% / 0.5 CM% • The base layer must be checked to ensure that it is ready for the flooring to be laid. In particular, this must be even, dry, non-slip, clean, free of cracks, free of separating agents and resistant to tension and pressure.

If a levelling compound is being applied to the base layer, the prescribed indoor climatic conditions, the required base preparation (sanding, priming, ...) and the drying times must be strictly adhered to.

The packages must be allowed to acclimatise before they are opened. To do this, leave them unopened and flat on the floor for about 48 hours (in winter about 3 - 4 days) in the middle of the room in which you want them to be laid. In the case of full-surface adhesion, the manufacturer's specific requirements (indoor climatic conditions, open time, sufficient adhesive quantity of the suitable adhesive) must be observed. The light fastness of our floors has been tested in accordance with the EN ISO 105-B02 test standard and meets the highest requirements. However, changes in colour due to strong and prolonged exposure to high levels of sunlight cannot be ruled out. The product-specific installation instructions must be observed.

10

Hints for laying

Hints for laying KEEP CONNECTING POINTS CLEAN When installing designer flooring, make sure that the connecting joints are free of dust, dirt and foreign matter. The cleaner the clic system, the better the connection between the panels. It is best to leave the panels in the box until shortly before they are laid.

Please note that long-term continuous temperatures of > 32 °C / < 13 °C for vinyl/susify and >60°C / < 15 °C for SPC floor coverings, may damage the floor, especially when combined with direct sunlight.

CHECK THE SURROUNDING AREA AND THE BASE LAYER The floor layer should raise any concerns noted during their inspection before the floor covering is laid. In particular if: • there are larger irregularities • there are cracks in the base layer • the base layer is not dry enough

• the base layer is not at a suitable temperature • the indoor climate is not suitable • there is no heating protocol for heated floor constructions • the edge insulation strip has no projection • no measuring points are marked in heated floor constructions • there is no joint plan

MEASURING THE ROOM Measure the length and width of the room If the room has any alcoves, then these must be measured separately. This gives you the floor area of the room. Buy at least 10% more to allow for defects, offcuts or replacements. However, this may vary depending on the size and layout of the room. The first thing you should check is that the opposite walls are parallel to each other. If they are not parallel, you can make adjustments to the first row of the floor. Start by laying out a row of loose panels to see if you need to adjust the length of the first panel.

• the surface of the base layer is not sufficiently firm, too porous or too rough • the surface of the base layer is contaminated, e.g. by oil, wax, varnish or paint residues • the height of the surface of the base in relation to the height of adjoining parts of the building is not correct 11

Hints for laying

Measure the length of the room and divide it by the panel length so you do not end up with a short piece of less than 30 cm on the opposite wall. If the remaining piece is smaller than 30 cm, calculate half of the remaining piece and shorten the first panel by this length. To do this, take measurements and mark the first panel. Then use a straight edge and a multi-purpose knife to score the panel and break it off.

RECYCLE ANY LEFTOVER PIECES When cutting vinyl floors to length, always make sure that you cut the short side of the panel with the groove. The leftover piece can then be used on the opposite side of the room at the end of this row if the arrangement allows this.

RANGE OF USE AND APPLICATION CAUTION: The flooring has been designed for indoor use only. Do not lay the floors over existing carpets, foam underlays or in saunas or solariums.

FLOATING INSTALLATION AND EXPANSION JOINTS For a floating installation to be successful, the floor covering must be able to move freely on all sides.

When laying, ensure that expansion joints are maintained to all fixed parts of the structure in the horizontal plane. Similarly, rooms on passageways or areas with different climates must be separated from each other by expansion joints. Expansion joints in the substructure must comply with the “DIN18560” standard.

GET ANY DAMAGED FLOORING REPLACED Be sure to have some extra vinyl panels in reserve in case an unforeseen replacement needs to be made. Vinyl panels that have click joints can be removed and replaced with new ones. If you need to replace a vinyl panel, take a multi-purpose knife and simply cut along the long side of the damaged panel and lift it out. Then take a spare panel and cut off the tongue and groove only on the long side of the replacement panel. Leave the tongue and groove at the short end of the panel. Then simply fit in and snap the two short ends into place. If you have any problems or questions, please contact your sales partner.

12

Hints for laying

IMPORTANT INSTALLATION TIPS Ideal temperature SPC: 15-60 ° C vinyl/susify: 13-32 ° C

Edge clearance > 8 mm clearance on walls and around heavy, fixed objects, wall cupboards, kitchens etc.

Surface temperature no more than 60 °C for SPC floors and no more than 32 °C for vinyl/susify floors

Adhesive NOT RECOMMENDED – warranty will become invalid!

Acclimatisation Vinyl/susify for 48 hours SPC and Multilayer + for 24 hours

Underlay materials On mineral substrates and with design floor coverings with integrated underlay mat, a moisture protection foil SD ≥ 75m must always be applied over the entire surface and in the form of a trough.

Air humidity between 35 % – 60 % Base layer level tolerance 3 mm over 1.8 m Underfloor heating Must be at a depth of at least 13 mm in the base layer, NO electric heating mats. The surface temperature must not reach 28 °C.

Underlay mat The use of an underlay mat is generally recommended. We recommend the DB Cover underlay mat when laying our flooring. No additional underlay mat may be laid on floors with an integrated underlay mat.

13

10 tips for laying perfect floors

10 tips for laying perfect floors 1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Any flooring that has been purchased should be checked for defects before installation.

This stops defective products being used.

The guarantee may be invalidated if the floor covering is fitted anyway.

Only install on solid, non-floating base layers.

Do not fix objects (e. g. kitchen islands) onto the flooring - they should be secured directly onto the base layer.

Lay the floor around fixed objects (e.g. kitchen) and leave a gap of at least 8-10 mm for expansion.

Do not install the product immediately, but store it for at least 24 hours for SPC and 48 hours for vinyl/susify flooring in the room where the installation is planned. This helps the floor covering to adapt to the temperature.

6.

7.

8.

9.

Always follow the manufacturer's installation instructions.

Buy the recommended footstep soundproofing for the floor. Carpet is NOT a permitted insulation.

Use spacers as you work so that the floor lies straight and does not slip during installation.

Keep the recommended offset of 30 cm to the joints in adjacent rows. This provides maximum stability for the connection.

10. Joints can be sealed using PE cord and silicone to prevent cracks from forming.

To avoid complaints, it is recommended that if a joint has to be filled, it is important to ensure that a) silicone is used. b) the dimension of the joint is widened by 50%. and c) a joint cord is used to prevent the silicone from sticking to the base.

14

STARCLIC 4.2-5 MM Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

www.hwzi.ch

Starclic 4,2-5 mm – Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

Starclic 4.2 - 5 mm RECOMMENDED TOOLS Universal knife and straight edge Tape measure 8-10 mm spacers Pencil Tapping block Rubber mallet Carpenter's angle Drawbar

PROPERTIES The flooring uses the innovative Uniclic edgelocking technology. The flexibility Starclic provides allows panels to be laid over existing floor coverings, such as natural wood, concrete, vinyl, linoleum and even ceramics.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR LAYING FLOORING Before installing the floor, please observe the general requirements for the base layers.

PLEASE NOTE: The product may be more difficult to work with or the interlocking system may be damaged if the floor is exposed to extreme heat or cold before it is laid. Make sure that the product is at room temperature before you install it.

The flooring is a floating floor and must be able to expand and contract freely. Therefore, it should NOT be fixed to the base using screws, nails or glue.

Assemble washbasins and island furniture in advance and then lay the floor around these objects.

• 100 % waterproof - can be laid in most of your rooms in private and commercial areas • Easy DIY laying using the Uniclic clicking system • PU coating for durability and a high level of resistance to wear and tear • Keeps your feet warm

16

Starclic 4,2-5 mm – Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

LAYING THE FLOORING

1. Flooring should only be laid if it is free of faults After unpacking, check the panels immediately for damage and defects (e.g. differences in colour or gloss level). Defective panels should not be installed.

2. Long end pieces Measure the room before installing the flooring.

The end pieces must be at least 5 cm wide on the long side.

3. Underlay mat We recommend the use of an underlay mat for floors that do not have footstep sound insulation.

4. Keep spacing in mind Start the installation on the left-hand side in the corner and with the groove facing the wall. Keep a distance of 8 -10 mm from the edge to compensate for movements of the base.

17

Starclic 4,2-5 mm – Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

5. Sawn-off end pieces If the end piece sawn off in the last row is 30 cm or longer, you can use this as the first panel in the next row.

6. The second row and additional rows When joining the short edges of the first row, slide the face of the second panel over that of the first panel. Make sure that the two grooves are positioned precisely on top of each other. Join the short sides together and align them so that they are straight and are not offset. A tapping block may be useful here. Work with precision on the first row. Inaccurate installation of the first row will affect the following rows and is difficult to correct afterwards. The first piece in the row is clicked in lengthwise. All the following pieces are clicked in with the short side first and then with the long side.

7. At least 30 cm of offset The short edges (head joints) must always be offset by at least 30 cm from row to row.

8. Tapping block Use the tapping block, which has been specifically designed for the milling of the joint, to snap the joint into place perfectly and to protect the groove from damage caused by the mallet.

18

Starclic 4,2-5 mm – Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

A

B

B

A

9. Laying the remaining rows Continue this pattern for the remaining rows.

10. Adjust panels as needed Fitting around uneven objects is no problem. Use a piece of cardboard to make a pattern of the cut-out around pipes or irregular objects. Draw this pattern on the panel. Using a universal knife, cut along these markings to obtain the required cut-out.

11. Remove spacers You only need the spacers at the edge during installation. Remove these once your floor has completely laid.

12. Do not lay flooring under objects Start by placing your furniture in the room and then lay your flooring around the objects – and not underneath.

19

Starclic 4,2-5 mm – Uniclic with no footstep soundproofing

13. Direct sunlight The floor must be protected from direct sunlight.

The warranty will become invalid if the temperature is not within the recommended range.

20

ACCESSORIES Underlay materials assembly materials

www.hwzi.ch

Accessories – Underlay materials

Underlay mat LVT/SPC 1.5

We recommend a heat- and sound-insulating underlay made of environmentally friendly latex foam that is stable under pressure. Note on the use of an underlay mat: The underlay mat should be laid on the floor with the textile side facing upwards and the vapour barrier film facing downwards.

• Format 1 x 10 m • Thickness 1.5 mm

TECHNICAL DATA Thickness EN 1849 - 1 1.5 mm Specific weight EN 1849 - 1,950 Kg / m3 Footstep sound level UNE 104-B 717/12 14-18 dB

• Increased walking comfort • Absorbs sound and noise (14 - 18 dB)

Walking noise level > 38,1 %

• Resistant to pressure (1677 kPa) and highlyelastic

Reaction to fire DIN 4102 Bfl-s1

• With an integrated vapour barrier film

Thermal conductivity EN 12667 0.0091 m2K/w

• Latex-based • Manufactured using renewable raw materials • Suitable for hot water underfloor heating

Suitable for underfloor heating yes Suitable for chair rollers yes 22

Accessories – assembly materials

Tapping block

Using a high-quality tapping block makes professional installation even easier! A practical and professional tool for laying floors with click profiles.

As far as click coverings are concerned, the only way to ensure a permanent connection of the individual strips with each other is using friction to interlock the panels. Using a professional tapping block means that you have a professional installation aid for laying floor coverings with a click system. Specifically developed for laying click coverings, it protects the grooves and tongues of the panels with every tap.

23

CLEANING AND CARE General information on cleaning Dr. Schutz cleaning agent

www.hwzi.ch

Cleaning and care – General information on cleaning

General information on cleaning Congratulations! You have finished laying your new flooring. Your new flexible floor covering has been manufactured to the highest quality standards and will give you long-lasting enjoyment. Follow the recommendations in these instructions to keep your floor looking like new and maintain the factory finish.

PREVENTATIVE CARE 1. Use protective mats WITHOUT A LAYER OF RUBBER by doors that lead outside. This stops sand and gravel getting onto your floor. With all floor coverings, coarse-grained sand is public enemy number one.

2. Attach suitable furniture glides (preferably made of felt) to all pieces of furniture that you place on an elastic floor covering. Furniture glides allow chairs to be moved across the floor easily without any scratches or scuffs. Clean the furniture glides regularly to remove dirt that may have accumulated underneath. For swivel chairs and other pieces of furniture on castors, please use 5 cm wide, nonmarking castor feet (type W). Do not use rubber rollers. For office swivel chairs or other wheeled furniture, use wide, non-marking, soft double swivel castors compliant with DIN EN 12529. Floor protection mats should be used in areas that are subject to heavy wear (desks etc.).

the floor slippery or damage the surface. Just give the floor a clean with a dust mop or broom as often as you need to.

4. Protect your floor from damage by pets with uncut claws. They may scratch the surface badly.

The same applies to high-heeled shoes that do not have appropriate heel protection or objects and furniture with sharp edges.

5. Protect your floor from prolonged exposure to sunlight. Use curtains or blinds during the period of strongest sunlight to prevent direct sunlight from reaching the designer flooring. Most floor coverings are sensitive to constant, strong sunlight.

To avoid an uneven appearance, move any existing strips of carpet to a different location every so often. High temperatures (> 60 °C for SPC flooring, > 32 °C for vinyl/susify flooring) will damage vinyl designer floor coverings. The use of air conditioning should be considered in empty buildings. If indoor temperatures are below 10 °C or above 35 °C for an extended period, this will damage your design floor when combined with strong, direct sunlight and may lead to fading of the pattern, bowls, corrugations or loosening of the joints.

6. DO NOT use a steam cleaner on the floor coverings, as this may cause permanent damage to the flooring and invalidate your warranty claims.

3. To keep your floor looking great, clean it at least twice a week using a broom, dust mop or vacuum cleaner, more often if it gets a lot of use. Do not use household anti-dust cleaners as they may make

25

Cleaning and care – General information on cleaning

TIP To avoid dirt from driveways or parking areas, always use NON-stick or rubberised floor mats in entrance areas. You should use special accessories for hard surfaces when vacuuming your floor.

REGULAR CARE 1. Only use a high-quality liquid cleaner that is suitable for PU-coated floors for care and cleaning.

Ensure correct use in terms of applicable regulations as indicated on the product label. Hand wiping may be required to remove stains from tricky areas.

Sweep or vacuum the designer flooring before each cleaning so that any loose dirt or particles are removed. We advise against using all-purpose cleaners, as they often contain abrasive powder or oily soaps.

2. Normal household dirt can be cleaned with a designer flooring cleaner as described in the product's instructions. Stubborn stains and spilt liquids may need to be cleaned by hand. Sweep or vacuum your designer flooring before cleaning to remove loose dirt and particles. For best results, you should avoid using combined cleaning and care products.

3. Food stains should be removed as quickly as possible and cleaned using a high-quality cleaner suitable for designer flooring.

5. If the scratches are caused by normal household use and are thin but not too deep, all you need to do is clean the affected surfaces, wash them with water and treat them after drying with a cleaning and sealing agent suitable for PU-coated surfaces.

Then the surface will shine like new again.

6. Damaged panels may need to be replaced if your floor has unusually deep scratches.

7. Only mats made of vinyl (PVC) or cotton should be used as floor mats / floor protection mats for e.g. dirt traps, office chair castors etc. Rubbercoated mats are unsuitable and may cause a chemical reaction, discolouration and detachment of the protective layer.

8. DO NOT USE WAX POLISH ON YOUR DESIGNER FLOORING! The surface is very dense and nonporous; this means that the wax cannot penetrate, but accumulates on the surface and leads to yellowing and the accumulation of dirt. The impermeability and robustness of the PU surface of the designer flooring provides the required protection against wear and dirt.

9. There is no need to panic If your flooring has been exposed to excessive amounts of water due to flooding. Vinyl is waterproof! Just use a water vacuum cleaner or other device to remove the water as quickly as possible and ventilate the room.

You should place a dehumidifier in the room immediately to get the humidity back to normal levels.

Do not dry the room beyond the normal level of humidity that was present beforehand.

4. Do not use cleaning cloths or cleaning utensils that contain micro-fibres. These are abrasive and frequent use of these will make the PU surface rougher.

26

Cleaning and care – Dr.Schutz cleaning agent

PU cleaner PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Concentrated cleaning agent for maintenance cleaning and final cleaning of factory-finished PU/ PUR floor coverings or floor coverings that have been treated with a Dr. Schutz PU seal. Excellent binding of dirt, even with greasy residues. No leaching of the surface, no formation of grey streaks.

Streak-free cleaning of factory-finished PU/PUR floor coverings or floor coverings made of PVC, linoleum or rubber that have been treated with a Dr. Schutz PU seal. Observe the care instructions specific to the object and the floor covering available at www.dr-schutz.com.

cleaning machines. Please note: Do not use the cleaning solution on sensitive surfaces (e.g. wood, metal).

APPLICATION

Store in a cool, dry location. Shelf life 24 months in the unopened original container from the date of manufacture. Keep under lock and key and out of reach of children.

Final cleaning once installed: Remove coarse dirt by sweeping or vacuuming.

For heavy soiling, dilute PU cleaner at a ratio of 1:10 (1 litre to 10 litres of water); for light soiling, reduce the concentration according to the amount of soiling. Spread the cleaning solution on the floor covering and scrub the surface after a short application time. For larger surfaces, use an SRP rotary-disc cleaner and a red pad or scrub brush.

Pick up dirt particles with absorbent wide mops or use a Dr. Schutz spray vacuum cleaner with a hard floor adapter for larger areas. Give the flooring a final wipe with clean water for neutralisation.

Maintenance cleaning: Dilute PU cleaner at a ratio of 1:200 (50 ml to 10 litres of water) and mop the floor with this solution. The dilution may be increased to 1:400 (25 ml to 10 litres of water) when used in automatic

CONSUMPTION Final cleaning after installation: around 2 litres per 100 sqm Maintenance cleaning: around 0.1 litres per 100 sqm

STORAGE

TECHNICAL DATA Contents less than 5 % non-ionic surfactants, less than 5 % anionic surfactants. Contains fragrances, LIMONENE, solvents. pH 9.5 (concentrate)

27

Cleaning and care – Dr.Schutz cleaning agent

ScratchFix PU Repair Pen & Spray PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Special PU pen for filling individual scratches on elastic floor coverings. Good adhesive properties.

Extra matt appearance. Quick drying. Easy to use.

Elastic floor coverings treated in the factory with PU/PUR or with a PU seal.

Special water-based clear varnish for the partial restoration of scratches on elastic floor coverings.

Very good filling of fine scratches and stress whitening on dark surfaces. Good adhesive properties. Extra matt appearance. Non-yellowing Easy to use. Factory-finished PU/PUR elastic floor coverings or floor coverings treated with a PU seal.

USING THE PEN The floor covering must be carefully cleaned before applying the pen so that it is then free of dirt and grease. Start by erasing deeper scratches across the scratch with the plastic wedge to remove any protrusions. Level the surface along the scratch using the grey sanding fleece. Use a slightly damp cloth to remove fine sanding dust.

Before use, give the pen a good shake for about 15 seconds and vent it after removing the cap.

(Before using for the first time, rinse the brush tip under water and dry it with the cotton cloth) To do this, hold the pen with the tip pointing upwards and hold "PRESS". Then with the tip facing down, hold "PRESS" again and drip a drop onto a cloth.

The brush tip is now ready for use and can be moved along the scratch with carefully using light pressure. Once dry (about 10 - 15 minutes), erase

any differences in gloss level by running the plastic wedge across the scratch. Rinse the brush tip with water and dry after use.

We recommend touching up all scratches with PU Repair Spray (see PU Repair Spray product information). Any adjustments to the gloss level should be made using the grey sanding fleece. To do this, matt lightly and without pressure in the direction of the grain over the fully dried lacquer (allow around 45 - 60 minutes drying time). In the case of partial repairs, visible differences from the remaining surface cannot be ruled out (e.g. differences in gloss level). This can only be eliminated by a full-surface renovation (e.g. with PU seal). Deeper scratches (in the protective layer) cannot be entirely removed.

USING THE SPRAY The floor covering must be carefully cleaned before applying the pen so that it is then free of dirt and grease. Carefully sand damaged areas with the grey sanding fleece to even out any protrusions around the scratches. Use a slightly damp cloth to remove fine sanding dust. Give the spray can a good shake for about 20 seconds before using.

Spray on an inconspicuous area as a test to check the colour shade and paint compatibility. Spray PU Repair Spray onto the surface that is being treated from a distance of around 30 - 40 cm in the form of a mist. 2 to 3 coats should be applied to achieve the best result. Allow the paint film to flash off for around 5 - 10 minutes between each application.

28

Cleaning and care – Dr.Schutz cleaning agent

In the case of partial repairs, visible differences from the remaining surface cannot be ruled out (e.g. differences in gloss level). This can only be eliminated by a full-surface renovation (e.g. with PU seal).

TECHNICAL DATA Gloss level extra matt = 6 – 8 GE (60°-measurement) Shelf-life pen: at least 24 months (in the sealed original packaging) Spray: at least 12 months (in the sealed original packaging) Dust dry Pen: after around 1 - 2 minutes (depending on the climatic conditions in the room).

Spray: after around 15 - 20 minutes (depending on the climatic conditions in the room) Safe to walk on after about 6 hours Sealing at a later date Can be recoated with PU sealant after thorough cleaning.

29

Cleaning and care – Dr.Schutz cleaning agent

Full care matt PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Polymer dispersion containing polyurethane for the care of newly laid or thoroughly cleaned floor coverings in the target area, if the use of a hard sealer or a PU sealer is not possible. Also, highly suitable for quick refreshing of PU-finished floors due to the specific combination of polymers. Ideal for the care and maintenance cleaning of elastic floor coverings in the household. An elastic, slipresistant, matt care film protects the flooring. Dirt adhesion is reduced and cleaning is made easier during maintenance. Suitable for care film renovation using the high-speed method. Floor coverings made of PVC, CV, linoleum. The application on polyolefin, rubber and stone floors is possible depending on the location and must be tested beforehand. Observe care instructions specific to the floor covering.

APPLICATION Maintenance of newly laid/ground-cleaned floors and refreshing of PU-finished coverings: Give full care matt a good shake before use. For the care of newly laid or thoroughly cleaned floors, apply undiluted with a squeegee or the Quick Step in an even thin film lengthwise to the surface of the floor after it has been laid or thoroughly cleaned. Once the care film is safe to walk on, repeat the process in the transverse direction. In areas subject to higher levels of wear, apply a third coat in the longitudinal direction once dry. Allow the film to dry for at least 12 hours, but preferably overnight, before the floor covering is used. To refresh PUfinished coverings, clean the floor thoroughly with Basic Cleaner R or PU Cleaner before applying full care matt. We recommend using a green pad for this.

Maintenance cleaning: Dilute full care matt at a ratio of 1:100-1:200 (50-100 ml to 10 litres of water) and use a wet mop to clean the floor with this solution. The procedure is suitable for removing light soiling.

For the removal of heavier soiling (e.g. in corridors, around kitchen units) and to achieve the best possible cleaning result, we recommend regular cleaning with PU cleaner.

PLEASE NOTE Avoid strong sunlight and draughts when applying undiluted, turn off underfloor heating beforehand. In the case of older linoleum coverings that are porous and have been leached out by the use of strongly alkaline cleaning products, powdering of the coating may occur in individual cases.

30

Cleaning and care – Dr.Schutz cleaning agent

TECHNICAL DATA Consumption 25 - 35 g/sqm per application (initial care and refreshing) around 0.2 litres per 100 sqm (maintenance cleaning) Shelf life pH-value about 8.7 (concentrate) Contents less than 5 % non-ionic surfactants.

Contains CHLOROMETHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, METHYLISOTHIAZOLINONE, BRONOPOL, fragrances, solvents, care components Giscode GE 10 (product code for cleaning and care products) Storage Store full care matt in a cool and dry location in the sealed original packaging with protection from frost. Keep under lock and key and out of reach of children.

31

Warranty conditions

Warranty conditions The flooring has a 25-year warranty when used in private homes. And a 5-year full commercial warranty.

1. AREA OF VALIDITY Provided that the flooring has been maintained as specified in the user manual and used within the specified usage class and installed in accordance with the installation instructions, the warranty covers the following areas only:

installation. Laying the flooring or applying adhesive is assumed to mean that this condition has been accepted.

• Labour or labour costs for the removal of the damaged flooring and installation of the replacement flooring.

• Consequential damage in the event of restrictions of use, delayed letting date, etc., associated with the removal or re-location of the affected material. Any further compensation for incidental or consequential damages is explicitly excluded.

• Manufacturing faults • Delamination • Strong, unusual colour deviations and fading provided that the panels have not been exposed to direct sunlight.

2. THE FOLLOWING ARE EXCLUDED FROM THE WARRANTY: • Normal wear and tear, intentional or wilful damage: Damage due to improper installation or maintenance, chemical decomposition due to unsuitable cleaning agents, alkaline base layers or defects due to hydrostatic pressure, burns, cracks, dents, stains or loss of gloss due to normal ageing or external influences.

If consequential damages cannot be excluded due to local legal provisions, the restrictions listed under point 2 may only be partially applicable.

Specific rights are conferred by this warranty, no further claims or rights may be derived therefrom.

This warranty coverage can only be claimed by notifying the distributor/dealer immediately. The notification must be accompanied by a copy of the original invoice and a fully completed claim report with pictures, the warranty claim may only be authorised by the distributor/dealer.

• Visual and textural variations that can be detected before or at the latest during

32

HWZ International AG Untere Gründlistrasse 23 6055 Alpnach-Dorf Schweiz T +41 58 470 66 00 info​rmation@hwzi.ch www.hwzi.ch

© HWZ 01.04.2023