OWNER/INSTALLATION TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITIES:

When the flooring Is ordered, a minimum of 5% (recommended 7% -10%) must be added to the actual square footage to allow for overage (cutting) and selection (grading) allowance (recommended 15% for diagonal installations). The allowance for overage depends on the complexity of the space the flooring will be installed in.
Before any hardwood flooring is installed, the installer must make sure that the job-site environment and the condition of the sub-surface involved meet or exceed the standards and recommendations as outlined in the SUB·FLOOR and JOB SITE PREPARATION sections below. The owner/installation technician assumes final responsibility for inspecting product quality. Carefully examine each board for quality, color, and finish prior to installation -using reasonable selectivity to hold out or cut off pieces with defects. If an individual piece is doubtful as to grade, color, or finish, the installer should not install that piece. The manufacturer is not responsible for boards/floors installed with visible defects.

It is strongly advised to keep these products in controlled conditions with humidity within the 35%-55% range 72 hours before installation and continuously thereafter.
As far as the sub-floor moisture is concerned, it is VITAL that the concrete is within safe moisture parameters (determined via moisture test/Calcium Chloride Test). Correcting a minor defect during installation using filler, stain, or a putty stick is a normal procedure.

WARNING: Manufacturer is not responsible/or damage caused by negligent installation practices or misuse of installation tools. It is CRITICAL to use the proper adhesives and ensure that the groove is filled adequately with it. If the wrong adhesive is used, or not enough of it applied to the groove of the product, it will create problems -such as board separation after installation. Also, it is completely normal for a newly installed, glued hardwood floor to cup or peak slightly after installation. This is caused by the moisture in the adhesive or concrete. The floor will settle flat over time (generally within a few weeks} as the moisture evaporates into the air.

Generally accepted industry procedures and methods can be obtained from the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) at www.nwfa.org.