Floor Covering Installer articles from January 2003

Floor Covering Installer archives from January 2003

New York floor coverers take significant step to reduce Moisture problems. (Editorial).(Editorial)
January 1, 2003... It was billed as a "Moisture in Concrete Seminar," sponsored by the Greater New York Floor Coverers Association/Industry Promotional Fund. A star-studded panel played to a packed house that brought together in one place (a first) a large number...

Attitude is everything. (Letter to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
January 1, 2003... I would like to thank the World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) for the opportunity to express my feelings on paper about what a wonderful experience the National Installation Contest has been. Never before have I been so excited to be part...

Selecting and maintaining a ceramic tile saw.(Interview)
January 1, 2003... Having the right tools is essential for floor covering installers, but with all the products available now, deciding what product to purchase can be difficult. With that in mind, FCI consulted several ceramic tile saw manufacturers to demystify...

Would've, could've, should've. (You Make the Call).(care of wood flooring)
January 1, 2003... Nothing is more heartbreaking than to see a stellar installation, done by a true craftsman, treated with a total lack of respect. The following is just that. It was a beautiful, newly constructed home with pre-finished hardwood plank installed...

Berber seaming and some final thoughts on seam peaking. (A Carpet Installer's Notebook).
January 1, 2003... Berber seaming can be a problem. As we discussed a couple of issues ago, the distance a seam will peak, or the tape will rise to get in line with the stretch, is equal to the thickness of the carpet back. That's why Berbers peak so badly....

Telegraphing and more. (From the Technical Expert).(proper floor installation)
January 1, 2003... Telegraphing, bubbles and stains are what I see as the callback itch: painful, obvious and, in most cases, totally avoidable. I have spoken many times, over the years, about the necessity for good floor preparation. To stay in business and be...

Floor covering removal made easy. (Namba's World).
January 1, 2003... It seems like every edition of FCI covers some aspect of floor preparation. "Why is that?" one may ask. Other than the installation of the product itself, floor preparation and the way flooring products are removed are one among the most...

Understanding the basics of wood floor finishes. (Nofma Tip Sheet).
January 1, 2003... Wood floor finishes fall into two categories: surface finishes and penetrating finishes. Surface finishes are layers of finish film sitting on the surface of the wood flooring. Penetrating finishes are finishes that are absorbed into the...

FCI, NFT content to be featured at surfaces 2003 conference program. (Industry News).(Floor Covering Installer and National Floor Trends)
January 1, 2003... Floor Covering Installer and National Floor Trends will present informative panels and seminars at the Surfaces 2003 Conference Program, in conjunction with Surfaces 2003 at the Sands Expo & Convention Center in Las Vegas, Jan. 29-31. ...

Bostik Findley launches its new website. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The Bostik Findley Flooring Group has launched its new website at www.bostikfindleyus.com. The site's main purpose is to convey and communicate information about the company, its history, its divisions, and all the products and services that...

Ardex products used to help rebuild the Pentagon. (Industry News).(Ardex Engineered Cements )(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Ardex Engineered Cements products are being used to help rebuild the Pentagon, deemed the "Phoenix Project." Ardex K-15, a self-leveling underlayment concrete, is being used by LevelCrafters, a floor restoration company. The original plans...

Hardwood council offers free guides for that "Finishing Touch". (Industry News).
January 1, 2003... The Hardwood Council offers free Finishing Touch specifying guides, available in a 32-page booklet and as an interactive CD-ROM. The guides include a number of tips and tools, including a stain selector, physical and working properties of types...

St. Louis Floorlayers moves to new facility. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... The St. Louis Floorlayers Local #1310 recently moved their Training Center (INSTALL) to a 24,000 square-foot area at the 169,000 square-foot St. Louis Regional Carpenters' Training Center in Affton, Mo. Floorlayer apprentices and journeymen...

VPI strengthens regional sales force. (Industry News).(appoints Gene P. Eichenseer)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... VPI Floor Products Division has appointed Gene P. Eichenseer as regional sales manger for the South Central United States. Prior to joining VPI, Eichenseer was employed by Ohio-based Mill's Pride Inc., a division of Masco Corp., as...

Roppe announces price increase for '03. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Roppe Corp. has announced a price increase of 3 to 5 percent for its entire line of products, effective Jan. 1, 2003. Roppe produces a full line of products, including rubber and vinyl wall base, stair treads and floor tile.

Schluter Systems announces new territory manager. (Industry News).(Steven Goeckler)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Schluter Systems L.P. has announced the appointment of Steven Goeckler to the post of South Central territory manager. This territory includes the states of Texas and Olklahoma. Goeckler has been with the industry since 1991. In addition to...

Flooring industry leaders revise install curriculum. (Industry).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... On Oct. 30, some of North America's top mills anti manufacturers sent their technical and education specialists to Las Vegas, to make sure that International Standards and Training Alliance (INSTALL) curriculum reflects the needs of today's...

TEC Specialty Products redesigns website. (Inudstry News).(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... TEC Specialty Products has redesigned its website to offer 2417 technical and customer support, as well as personalized content to consumers, distributors and retailers. The new site is at www.tecspecialty.com. From the homepage, users can...

Inaugural NOFMA inspector certification school wraps up. (Industry News).
January 1, 2003... The inaugural NOFMA Certified Wood Flooring Inspector school, a week-long training course presented by NOFMA, Thc Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association, drew 22 participants in Memphis. The certification program, of which the training...

Ardex expands its presence in Canada. (Industry News).(Ardex Engineered Cements and Prosol Distribution Inc have distribution pact)(Brief Article)
January 1, 2003... Ardex Engineered Cements has expanded its presence in Quebec and throughout Canada, according to the company. Prosol Distribution Inc. has taken on Ardex as the distributor's subfloor preparation line. With several locations in Quebec,...

W.W. Henry's GreenLine improves cruise ship's air quality. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... W.W. Henry's GreenLine GL62 high-performance carpet adhesive was installed on a new American Canadian Caribbean Line cruise ship. The ship, American Glory, measures 165 feet across and holds 49 passengers plus crew. GreenLine was rested...

James Hardie releases Hardibacker EZ Grid. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... James Hardie Building Products has announced a new generation of its popular Hardibacker Ultimate Cement Board, with Hardibacker EZ Grid. Designed with a one-inch guide, Hardibacker EZ grid is designed to be easy to lay our, score and snap. ...

Hanson Industries releases the Carpet Dog carpet removal machine. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Hanson Industries has released the Carpet Dog carpet removal machine, designed specifically to remove commercial glued-down carpet. The Carpet Dog pulls carpet from the floor using any 110 volt outlet. The machine fits through a standard...

Porta-Nails introduces Pneumatic Hammerhead. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... This pneumatic version of Porta-Nail's original Hammerhead employs the original "Preferred-Seating" system. Designed for nailing 1/2" to 33/32" tongue and groove wood flooring, it can be easily converted to a face nailer by simply changing the...

Flexco introduces color selector chip box. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Flexco recently introduced a color selector chip box. Featuring FlexTones color matching system, the chip box showcases Flexco's color palette in 2 1/2-inch by 1 1/2-inch rectangular chips, which designate each of 57 colors. Thirty...

Laticrete produces waterproofing membrane for wet and underwater areas. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Laticrete 9235 Waterproofing Membrane is a thin, load-bearing, liquid-applied waterproofing designed specifically for wet areas and continuous underwater applications. The membrane can be installed under ceramic tile, payers, brick or...

BMG Inc. unveils new tile measuring system. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... BMG Inc. has unveiled its Magic-Mark-It, a tile measuring system designed to simplify tile installations, according to the company. The system compensates for grout lines, crooked walls, diagonal cuts, door casings, inside and outside...

Perma-Tech introduces all-in-ane concrete prep machine. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Perma-Tech Industrial Coatings is introducing the Cobra Multi-Prep machine for concrete floors. The Cobra's interchangeable heads, including sanding discs, wire brushes, scarifying heads and diamond blades are easily changed without any tools....

DriTac adhesive used in Basketball Hall of Fame floor installation. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... DriTac Adhesive Group has provided the new Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, Mass., with DriTac 7500 Urethane Adhesive to be used for the installation of a new hard maple floor provided by Aacer Flooring. The flooring system will be...

Tramex meters measure moisture, humidity. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Tramex Ltd.'s CRH is a moisture and relative humidity meter with four testing modes: moisture content, internal relative humidity in concrete to ASTM F2170, surface relative humidity and ambient relative humidity, temperature and dew point. ...

Aqua Mix offers myriad solutions for tile, stone and grout care. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Aqua Mix offers a variety of products for tile, stone and grout care. The company's daily use cleaners are nontoxic and are designed to remove soap scum and food stains from tile and grout. Discolored grout can be cleaned and restored with the...

M-tec Mono-mix features variable-speed motor. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... M-tec's highly versatile Mono-mix mixing pump is ideal for all kinds of self-levelling flooring products, according to M-tec. The Mono-mix features a variable speed motor with 4 different rpm settings, and runs with single-phase power. The...

Innovatech introduces Schwamborn BEF 301 scarifier. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Innovatech Products & Equipment Co. introduces the Schwamborn BEF 301 12-inch scarifier to its line of surface preparation equipment. The Schwamborn BEF 301 features forward and reverse operation and a maximum milling depth of nearly...

Bonsal American Epoxy Haze Remover designed for installation cleanup. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Bonsal American Epoxy Haze Remover is designed for use in the final cleanup of an epoxy grouted ceramic installation. The product can be used to remove epoxy grout haze as well as urethane and latex films, according to Bonsal. The remover...

USFSPG video highlights concrete surface preparation equipment. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... A new 12-minute video from USF Surface Preparation Group titled "Blastrac and Sawtec Solutions for Concrete Surface Preparation" provides an overview of the company's Blastrac and Sawtec brands of concrete surface preparation equipment. ...

Taylor Tools introduces optional light for seaming irons. (Products Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Taylor Tools has introduced the Nap Light, a combination of floodlight and spotlight built into the handle of Taylor seaming irons. The tiny, yet high-intensity diodes are powered by the iron's DC current and automatically light up when the...

RFI manufactures self-leveling and tile grout pump. (Products & Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... RFI has unveiled the RSP-100 Self-Leveling and Tile Grout Pump, featuring variable speed and a 115-volt, single-phase, 20 amp motor. The machine holds a maximum output of 3 GPM, and a maximum pumping pressure of 300 PSI. The RSP-100 comes...

Sinclair introduces Planetary Grinders. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
January 1, 2003... Sinclair introduces of an advanced line of Planetary Grinders. "DiaLogic" is available in 3 models: 530 (21-inch), 680 (27-inch), 820 (32-inch). Designed for wet or dry grinding of marble, terrazzo, granite, concrete, the DiaLogic line is...

CFI welcomes all hard-surface installers as members. (CFI Report).(Certified Floorcovering Installers)
January 1, 2003... It has arrived for those who have been asking for years: CFI membership for all flooring installers. CFI has become the organization for all floorcovering installers, as we always hoped it would. The CFI name, the International Certified...

Brighten your horizons. (FCICA News).(Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association convention)
January 1, 2003... Where can you go to learn about new tools, proper resilient floor applications, the new moisture testing method and much more? The answer is the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) Convention 2003. "Brighten Your...

Complacent? (Fiana Dossier).(floor installation training seen necessary)(Column)
January 1, 2003... Have we as an industry become, for the most part, so complacent that we can no longer comprehend the dangers of inadequate training for our floor installers? In the dictionary, the word complacent is defined as "pleased with oneself or one's...

Fluidmaster. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Fluidmaster Fits-All Connectors Simplify Toilet Installation Fluidmaster helps flooring professionals rake the guesswork out of choosing a toilet connector with Fits-All* NO-BURST[R] Water Supply Connectors. Knowing the precise size of the...

C.H. Hanson Company. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... aSQUARE provides the accuracy and handiness of a layout square, but can be folded to a convenient size. Ideal for installing wood and tile floors, this tool guarantees accuracy, eliminates layout errors, saves time and money. C. H. HANSON...

Beno J. Gundlach Co. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... These patented Tips allow carpet edges to be sealed with any hot melt glue compatible with carpet backings. The unique design of these Tips assures excess glue is directed onto the backing of the carpet. Circle #104 on the Reader Inquiry...

Lignomat. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Lignomat offers a Professional Package P-6 including a pinless meter for quick-scan of large areas, a pin meter to pinpoint source of problem, Electrodes E16 to measure concrete and other building materials, Electrode E12 to measure through...

NAC Products. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Celebrating its 20th Anniversary, NAC Products invites you to learn more about Sam Systems for sound abatement. Visit booth G3938 at Surfaces for your free gift and see how they make your world a quieter place. Circle #105 on the Reader Inquiry...

Airsled. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Airsled solves load movement problems using specifically designed systems to move appliances, furniture and cabinets. Using Airsleds' one person can easily guide a load into position floating it on a cushion of air reducing personal injury and...

Better Tools. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Better Tools, a company recognized for quality, experience, and superior service, introduces a complete line of flooring blades giving the flooring contractor an exciting "NEW choice in blades". The blade line includes all industry standard...

Tri Synergy Flexible Films. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Carpet Cover and Tile Cover are self-adhesive films that provide superior protection from workman activities. Tri Synergy Multi Purpose Cover is a durable reusable protective covering for hardwood, slate, marble, or virtually any surface,...

Artistic Finishes. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Artistic Finishes is pleased to introduce the newest profile in our premium line of prefinished hardwood moldings... the bi-level reducer. This reducer provides a visually appealing, new look to any hardwood floor when transitioning to a...

Parabond Installation Prod. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Serving the Flooring Industry from Coast to Coast Ted Egan-President; Cathy PanagakosDir, of Marketing; Larry Press-Dir. Of Technical Services; Mike Glennon-Dir. of Western Operations; Jim Means-Dir. of Consumer Products; Tim RileyManager,...

Wagner. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Wagner Electronics releases MMC/MMI moisture meters Wagner Electronics announces the release of their MMC/MMI Series moisture meters. This new line of handheld meters was designed for use by flooring professionals, wood product...

Taylor Tools. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... New PH Meter Simplifies Concrete Testing. A handy, new pocket-sized tool from Taylor Tools allows installers to make quick, precise pH readings of concrete surfaces before applying new flooring. The waterproof PH100 Concrete pH Tester is...

Pacific Laser Systems. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Pacific Laser Systems introduces PLS2 Palm Laser plumb PLS Pacific Laser Systems presents its new PLS2 Palm Laser plumb, level and square handheld laser line tool. Fast, accurate and portable, the PLS2 is designed to save contractors...

Tramex Ltd. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... NEW Tramex CRH, the latest and most advanced moisture and relative humidity meter. The CRH combines 4 testing modes: * Moisture content (non-destructive impedance method.) * Internal relative humidity in concrete to ASTM F2170....

Innovatech. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Innovatech introduces Schwambom BEF 301 scanfier Innovatech Products & Equipment Co. introduces the Schwamborn BEF 301 12-inch scarifler to its line of surface preparation equipment. The Schwamborn BEF 301 features forward and reverse...

W.F. Taylor. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... After revolutionizing the wood flooring adhesive market with their patented Meta-Tec cross-linking technology, WE Taylor has turned that innovative chemistry to the vinyl and rubber flooring industry. Taylor's 2091, 2092 & 2096 are unique...

Johnsonite. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Johnsonite's Contour Edge Transition allows designers and end users to create winding or unusually shaped floor motifs with the assurance that the floor's edgings are protected. Available in 13 colors incorporating three finishes, Contour Edge...

M-tec. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... M-tec Mono-mix features variable-speed motor M-tec's highly versatile Mono-mix mixing pump is ideal for all kinds of self-levelling flooring products, according to M-tec. The Mono-mix features a variable speed motor with 4 different rpm...

Sawtec. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... The Sawtec[R] Grinder-Vac controls dust that slows down the operator and wastes time on unnecessary cleanup. Allows other trades to work simultaneously. Use the Grinder-Vac for concrete cleaning, planing and removal of mastics, epoxies,...

National Carpet Equipment. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... If it's adhered to the floor, the Panther Electric Ride-On will remove it. Powerful 110 volt, continuous duty motor, draws under 13 amps fully loaded. The 110-volt electric motor makes this machine easy and safe to use on any jobsite. Works...

Teq-2100 Co. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Teq 2100 makes the following antipeak seam tapes: Patented Teq-50 features silicone treated paper, the GRID-LOK scrim, and real steel bars. Teq-Gold The Berber Buster, is perfect for Berbers and soft-backed style carpets. Teq-50 d/s is...

VPI. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) wall base from VPI is designed with extreme flexibility for easier installation. Available in 41 standard colors as well as custom color matching, the company says TPR wall base's durability prevents fading, curing...

Porta Nails. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... This pneumatic version of Porta-Nail's original Hammerhead employs the original "Preferred-Seating" system. Designed for nailing 1/2" to 33/32" tongue and groove wood flooring, it can be easily converted to a face nailer by simply changing the...

Racatac. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... The RACATAC [TM] is a new installer-designed tool that approaches working on your knees in a whole new way. Instead of sitting back on your heels, the adjustable seat provides the support, while taking pressure off knees, ankles and toes,...

Sinclair Equip. (Products & Literature on Display).
January 1, 2003... Sinclair introduces planetary grinders. Sinclair introduces of an advanced line of Planetary Grinders. "DiaLogic" is available in 3 models: 530 (21-inch), 680 (27-inch), 820 (32-inch). Designed for wet or dry grinding of marble, terrazzo,...