One of the biggest perks you’ll get when you install Floor Muffler ultraseal underlayment on your own is money savings. Installing the underlayment on your own saves approximately 10% of the total cost of installing laminate.
Floor Muffler ultraseal underlayment is one of the best underlayment products you can put down. Not only does it help blog moisture, but it also makes your floors quieter. In fact, this underlayment is often called “quiet” underlayment. If you don’t want to hear the pitter-patter of everyone’s feet as they glide across your floor, you’ll want to install Floor Muffler underlayment before you begin your project.
Where To Use It?
As a rule, the underlayment must be laid down over the subfloor before installing your flooring. Floor Muffler Ultraseal underlayment is suitable for both wood subfloors and concrete subfloors making it one of the more versatile types of underlayment.
Sound Good? Let’s Begin!
We’ve put together this detailed illustrated guide to show you just how easy it is to install Floor Muffler ultraseal underlayment. With our step-by-step instructions, installing this underlayment will be one of the easiest and most enjoyable parts of your project.
Before you lay anything down, you must get organized with all of your supplies and tools needed for the job. It’s critical that you are well organized before you begin. Lack of organization can cause tremendous difficulty later in the project.
Supply List:
- Enough Floor Muffler ultraseal underlayment
- Flooring
- Broom
- Tape
- Utility Knife
Step 1: Clean the Subfloor
The surface of your subfloor might be filled with dirt and debris. To ensure your underlayment is properly installed, sweep and clean your floor. Your subfloor must be spic and span in order for you to have a successful project!
Step 2: Inspect Your Subfloor
Once you’ve cleared away all of the dirt and debris, take a close look at your subfloor. Are there any cracks, lumps or other obstacles that could impact the installation? Is the floor completely dry and free of moisture?
Signs of a bad subfloor include cracks, holes, protruding objects, unevenness and other abnormalities. If your floor does not have any of these, you’re ready to begin.
Step 3: Begin
Roll out the Floor Muffler Ultraseal underlayment. This should be flush up against the wall. The directions that come with your Floor Muffler may say that you should install the floor 2″ up the wall. You can do this, but you will just end up needing to cut off the excess after you install your flooring. The reason why they recommend doing this is so the expansion gap will be covered when you install your flooring.
Step 4: Install the Underlayment Next to the Wall
To install your underlayment, you will need to tape the strip side down next to the wall. Position the overlapping film toward the room, away from the wall.
Step 5: Install The Opposite Direction Of The Flooring
Install the underlayment in the opposite direction that you plan to install your flooring. This is to help the Floor Muffler to lay flat and to prevent the locking system from lining up with the seam of the underlayment.
Step 6: Cut the Underlayment
Once you’ve completed the first section, cut the underlayment. You will want to unroll enough underlayment to reach the next wall before you make the cut.
Step 7: Unfold the Film
Unfold the film under the underlayment. Just as is shown in the picture, pull the bottom film out toward you and away from the underlayment before you install the next roll.
Step 8: Keep it Rolling
Roll out the next roll of Floor Muffler ultraseal underlayment. This should go in the same direction as the previous roll. Again, the overlapping film should be on the side away from the previously installed layer of underlayment, further away from the wall.
Step 9: Position the Two Pieces Side-by-Side
Make sure the two foam seams are butted together. The two pieces of underlayment should sit directly next to each other without overlapping or leaving any gaping holes.
Step 10: Double Check There is No Overlapping
It is critical that no pieces overlap as this could ruin the effectiveness of the underlayment. Double check once again that there is no overlapping anywhere along the seam.
Step 11: Remove and Secure
Remove the adhesive liner and stick the foam to the film overlap. This will keep each piece firmly in place, while preventing any overlap from happening on accident as you continue your installation.
Step 12: Continue Your Installation
Install your flooring by following the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Complete your room by installing one plank and one section at a time.
That’s it! You’re done. Once you’ve installed one section, continue with these steps until your entire floor is installed.
[box type=”warning” ]Please note that this is an installation guide to help you with your installation. You should still follow the manufacturer’s instructions should they differ from this guide. We recommend this, because incorrect installation could result in damage to your flooring or a void in warranty.[/box]
It’s easy, and it saves you quite a bit of time! Did you have success following these step-by-step instructions? If so, we’d love to hear from you! Comment below to let us know how your flooring turned out.
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More About Underlayment:
- Underlayment 101
- How Much Underlayment Do I Need to Buy?
- Why do I need underlayment for laminate flooring installation?
19 comments
I want to place the 3 in 1 Floor Muffler on a wooden subfloor, under carpet.
Are there any problems stapling the foam carpet pad on top of the floor muffler.
I saw a product that had the MLV adhered to the foam padding.
How would these applications effect the floor muffler?
Hi Rita, thanks for the question. I would reach out to Floor Muffler directly for that. I believe stapling would just lower the effectiveness of the vapor capabilities since there would be holes put through the material.
The supply list includes “tape” but none of the instructions mentions its use. What is its use for installing the floor muffler?
Hi Karen, great observation. You can use the tape if the adhesive strip needs reinforcement. Here are the manufacturer instructions for your info: https://www.floormuffler.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/FMUS-Instructions-031816.pdf
Is there any problem with installing a laminate flooring that has the thin spongy padding pre installed on the bottom of the board, with Floor Muffler UltraSeal Underlayment. My concern is that there will be a restriction of movement between the two surfaces
Hi Robert, thanks for your comment. We generally do not recommend installing ‘double’ underlayment, as it can can make the surface too flimsy for your floor and damage the locking system. You can go ahead and install a vapor barrier, such as Visqueen, for moisture protection if that is a concern. If you have any other questions or would like to discuss this further, please give us a call at 1-800-520-0961. Thanks!
Hi,
I had installed LVT on floormuffler underlayment and after some use I noticed gaps in the LVT. I was able to close the gaps by pushing (hammering from the edge) from the edges. When I asked a few folks who install floors they recommended me to glue the LVT to the underlayment. All it needs is a little glue to keep it from sliding. Is there any down side if I do that? and is there any glue that you recommend that is safe to use with your foam.
Thanks
Hi Kim – Gaping occurs when your floor is not properly locked together or your floor is not allowed to expand and contract properly. There is either a molding pinching your floor or some other object that it keeping your floor for floating properly and the force pulled the planks apart. Unfortunately, gluing your vinyl will not solve the issue.
You will need to check the locking system of the vinyl flooring planks that are gaping to make sure that they are not damaged. If they will not lock together properly, you will need to replace the planks. You will have to check the perimeter of your installation area to make sure you have left the proper expansion gap along all walls, corners, door frames, and stationary objects, which means you might need to uninstall and reinstall your flooring.
If you had a contractor install your flooring, you should contact them immediately. You should also make sure that you have installed Floor Muffler LVT underlayment, which is a vinyl flooring underlayment and not the regular Floor Muffler underlayment which is for laminate flooring.
If you have any further questions, please reply to this comment or send an email to [email protected] and we will be happy to help you!