Our installers will need total access to the areas where Floor Coverings are to be installed. Safe and complete driveway access for installation vehicles is required in order to allow proper delivery of all materials. The building or home must be completely closed in, with outside windows, doors, and thresholds in place. In addition, please make sure that all other trades (including wet trades such as drywall, painting, staining, etc.) have completed their work and have removed all of their equipment prior to our arrival. For everyone’s safety, please have all pets removed from the area where flooring is being installed.
At no cost to you, we’ll bring you a variety of flooring samples so you can easily compare carpet, hardwood, vinyl plank, stone, laminate, cork, and more. Mobile floor shopping takes place in the comfort of your home at a convenient time for you, allowing you to make a confident decision.
Important Stuff You Need To Know About The Installation
Accessibility to Installation Area
HVAC, Electric, Lighting, and Water
Proper installation of your Floor Coverings requires that in the areas where flooring is being installed, the temperature must be between 60° and 80° Fahrenheit with relative humidity between 30% and 50% during the 5 days prior to installation. Such areas must remain within this temperature and humidity range thereafter. After floor coverings are installed, HVAC and humidity controls must be permanently and continuously working, keeping the areas at recommended levels. Use of a humidifier throughout the winter/dry months and/or dehumidifier in the summer/humid months is recommended to help keep wood from gaining or losing moisture. Outside installations are weather permitting. Working electric, adequate lighting and accessibility to running water are necessary for proper installation. America’s Floor Source will not be able to do your installation without permanent HVAC, electric, lighting, and running water
Furniture
Our installers are happy to move normal furniture during installation, and this service can be arranged through your personal flooring advisor or other sales professional. This service may require an additional charge. Please note that items such as appliances or commodes, pool tables, pianos, wood stoves, aquariums, water beds, and grandfather clocks are not considered normal furniture and must be moved by professionals prior to installation. If you are unsure if a particular item needs to be removed prior to the installation of your floor coverings, please consult your sales professional. In the event we do move normal furniture, we are not responsible for damage caused while it is being moved, and we are not responsible for damage to baseboards and walls caused by normal floor covering installation. If you wish to have flooring installed under items or furniture that are permanently attached to the structure (radiators, railings, stools, etc.) please have the item(s) removed prior to installation.
Appliances & Electronic Equipment
Appliances with direct water, gas, or electric hookups (such as washers, dryers, all gas appliances, ice makers and commodes) will need to be disconnected prior to our arrival for the installation of your Floor Covering. For your safety, we recommend that a gas company or any other knowledgeable appliance company disconnect and reconnect these appliances. Disconnected appliances can be moved by AFS for a fee. Electronic equipment such as stereos, TVs, audio visual equipment, and computers should also be disconnected and moved before the time of installation. Our installers are not responsible for disconnecting or reconnecting any appliances or electronic equipment.
Personal and Decorative Items
We know that some of our customers like to display their crystal, porcelain, china, and other breakables in their cabinets, hutches, and on the surface of tables or other furniture. These types of items may interfere with your installation, so we ask that you remove anything that could possibly be damaged during the installation process. We also ask that you remove all personal items from the areas where new floor coverings are to be installed. These items include, but are not limited to, lamps, plants, pillows, crystal, antiques, aquariums, art work, bedding, books, Christmas trees, clocks, collectibles, dishes, guns, safes, speakers, cable wires, vases, and wet bars. America’s Floor Source is not responsible for damage to personal and decorative items that may occur during installation.
Wall Hangings & Draperies
Since these items can interfere with the installation of your floor coverings, please remove wall hangings that hang lower than five feet, and tie back drapes so they are at least 36” from the floor.
Closets
All closets and storage areas where new floor coverings are to be installed need to be cleared, and all low hanging clothes need to be removed so that there is at least 36” of space above the floor.
Dust & Noise
All flooring installations create at least some dust and noise. You may want to cover all cupboards and furniture (even in adjacent rooms) and consider covering all openings with plastic. Air filters may need to be replaced after floor coverings are installed.
Existing Flooring
The removal of existing floor coverings is often necessary and can take a considerable amount of time. We can provide this service (except for the removal of vinyl that may contain asbestos, or carpet infested with fleas or saturated with urine) for a charge. If your existing flooring contains asbestos, you will need to contact a licensed asbestos removal company to remove it. Your sales professional will gladly assist you in locating such a company. If you are removing the existing floor coverings yourself, please (a) remove the old staples and the old adhesives from the existing floor, leaving the subfloor clean, smooth, and free of debris, and (b) leave the tack strip down only if replacing carpet. You will need to make your own arrangements for disposal if you are removing your existing floor coverings yourself, and the existing floor coverings must be removed from the installation area before the installation team arrives. America’s Floor Source will not dispose of any existing floor coverings unless you have paid for such service. Sometimes, there are unforeseen problems with existing floors or substrate. As such, if we run into any unforeseen problem that requires additional work in order to complete your installation, we will notify you of such a problem, any additional charges that may apply, and/or any delays in installation that may result.