Installation and maintenance

Ease and versatility of installation

One of the strengths of IMA flooring is the ease and versatility of installation: it only requires a flat surface and the absence of moisture. In addition, being a Factory finished and varnished product, its quality, strength and uniformity are guaranteed.

Due to the possibilities of assembly, different adhesives, various heating systems, etc., a professional is required to give advice, after-sales service and installation guarantees.

To support this, IMA has published a series of recommendations for optimal installation.

BASIC TOOLS

  • Spirit Level
  • Hand or vertical saw
  • Wooden hammer
  • Template or wooden block
  • Lever for wall edges
  • Tape measure and square
  • Wooden wedges
  • Tongue and groove adhesive
  • Foam/polyethylene sheet
  • Drill
  • Gloves
  • Pencil
  • Adhesive (for gluing to ground)
  • Adhesive pallet (for glueing to ground)

Due to the limitations of the physical and mechanical resistance of each species of wood, IMA recommends protecting the base of objects in contact with the floor (such as sanding and varnish. chairs, tables, wheels, etc...). Avoid contact with pointed objects or those with a reduced contact surface to avoid scratches, grooves or any other type of deterioration due to pressure that exceeds the normal resistance of the product.



Installation

We start from a level, clean slab with a humidity level appropriate to the installation.

Direct bonding can only be made on a suitably flat, firm and crack-free sub-floor, in accordance with general practice.

This is extended over the support in a direction perpendicular to that of the boards. This foam provides acoustic and termal insulation.

When sticking, the ground must be sufficiently dry, hard and level.

The installation commences in the corner of the room, usually parallel to the longest side, with the groove facing the wall. The tongues and grooves on the edges should also be glued. A minimum separation of 50 cm is recommended. between joints and wedges should be placed along the wall joint maintaining a gap of 8 to 10 mm.

In glued to the ground installations there are no restrictions on length or width. It is still mandatory to place an expansion joint around the perimeter of the room in question.

Both the tongue of the 1st row and the Groove of the 2nd row should also be glued.

In the glued installation, the first two rows will help you maintain a straight line when continuing with the rest of the installation.

We proceed successively with the following rows, using the wooden block and the hammer to secure the boards to each other.

Using a damp cloth, wipe off any adhesive residue that may overflow the joints.

There is usually insufficeint space left to place an entire board so they must be cut lengthwise. Room must also be left for the perimeter joint.

We install the final row with the lever.

Remove the wedges to free the expansión joint. Place the skirting boards over the expansion joint and the trims required where two different floors join.

After glueing, allow at least several hours for the adhesive to bond and stabilize before stepping on the floor.

Maintenance

Wooden parquet/flooring is a natural material and this should be kept in mind to get the best out of it.

Wood is a hygroscopic material, that is, it absorbs or yields humidity from the environment according to the ambient hygrothermal conditions (humidity and temperature). The maintenance of normal conditions (temperature between 10 and 27º and relative humidity between 35 and 70%) will guarantee the optimal behaviour of the wooden floor.

The natural character of the wood and the protection of our Optimax Ceramic water-based varnish give IMA products extraordinary durability with basic maintenance. Regular cleaning may be done with a dry cloth, vacuum cleaner and damp cloth to remove stains.

If desired, its original beauty may be recovered after years of use with a light sanding and varnish.


Download installation and maintenance guide PDF

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Environment