Floor Covering Installer articles from March 2001

Floor Covering Installer archives from March 2001

Two cracks diverged in a wood floor, and I -- I repaired the one less traveled by. (FCI Editorial).(trade shows)(Brief Article)(Editorial)
March 1, 2001... Jeffrey Stouffer Robert Frost died in 1963, and since then his works may be among the most mangled, manipulated, and misquoted in all of popular culture, abused by a collection of hacks and half-wits armed with writing implements and...

Lost Luster, Brick Buster. (You make the call).(vinyl floor repair)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Three years after Mr. and Mrs. Fogger had a brick-style vinyl floor installed in their residence, they called their retailer complaining of a cloudy appearance and a loss of gloss on the floor. After coming to their home and inspecting the...

Wood Flooring Problems I. (From the Technical Expert).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... These days, many homeowners are opting for wood flooring instead of vinyl, ceramic tile, or marble, and as this may be their first experience with a floor covering material that constantly expands and contracts, they need to be made aware of...

State of the Wood Floor Industry 2001. (Hardwood Report).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The hardwood floor industry has entered the new millennium with tremendous potential that requires just a little assistance from our industry leaders to bring about a new era of prosperity. The winter season of 2000 brought about modest...

Hardwoods in the Bath: Finishing for Wet, Humid Environments.(bathroom flooring)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Oak. Ash. Cherry. Maple. Hickory. Walnut. For centuries, these and other hardwoods have been preferred for flooring, cabinets, and millwork. But are they appropriate for the bathroom? Absolutely. Builders, architects, and designers are taking...

Straightening Patterns on Direct Glue-Downs. (A Carpet Installer's Notebook).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2001... Many readers may not be aware FCI has a Website, located at www.fcimag.com. The bulletin board forum found there is developing into a great place to communicate with installers around the country and the world. The topics can be fairly...

Bringing Out the Value in Carpet Removal. (Getting Down to Business).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Floor covering removal is an essential service that installers provide. And it seems most professionals understand that removing resilient, ceramic, or wood flooring can be a complex task, and base their quotes accordingly. Carpet removal, on...

The Straightedge and Butt-Seaming Method. (Step-By-Step).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... All manufacturers of "flex" products recommend the use of the straightedge and butt-seaming method. This is one of the easier seaming methods; flex materials have a great deal of lateral movement that allows for the gaps in the seams to be...

Glueless Installation Systems. (Looking at laminate).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Glueless installation systems, also known as mechanical locking systems, have been a part of the laminate industry for almost as long as laminates have been in the U.S. marketplace, but have traditionally taken a back seat to the conventional,...

Is the Installer a Specialist, or Skilled All-Around? (Best Job Practices).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... About a year ago, a neighbor called and said he had just bought some new carpet for his family room, some vinyl flooring for his kitchen, and some ceramic tile for his entryway. He went on to say that each floor covering would be installed by a...

Individual Tile Replacement. (Step-By-Step).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Several months ago, while visiting a jobsite in a mall, I watched a worker attempt to remove a single tile. As he took the hammer and chisel from his tool kit, I tried to suggest a less-drastic approach, but he would have none of it. For him,...

L. Fishman Marks Two Grand Openings. (Scribe Marks).(L. Fishman and Son)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2001... L. Fishman & Son, Inc. announces the opening of two new locations. The Norfolk, Va. branch was the site of the company's "Cash for Christmas" giveaway, while the company's 15th location opened recently in Greensboro, NC. L. Fishman...

Hawaii Floor Covering Association to hold biennial trade show. (Scribe Marks).
March 1, 2001... The Hawaii Floor Covering Association will be holding its 12th Biennial Trade Show Sept. 14 at the Hawaii Prince Hotel on Oahu. The HFA show will feature the latest offerings in floor coverings and related products. Free admission is...

Dow to acquire EniChem's polyurethane business. (Scribe Marks).(Dow Chemical)(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2001... The Dow Chemical Co. recently announced that it has reached an agreement with Italy's EniChem S.p.A. to acquire that company's polyurethane business. Under terms of the agreement, Dow will divest Union Carbide Corp.'s 50% interest in Polimeri...

CTDA and Coverings co-host opening night reception. (Scribe Marks).
March 1, 2001... The Ceramic Tile Distributors Association and Coverings will co-sponsor the event's opening night reception Sunday, May 20, at the Howlin' Wolf in New Orleans. The reception will include world-class entertainment and refreshments, as well...

National Carpet Equipment Announces Narms Contest Winner. (Scribe Marks).(National Association of Rug Makers and Sculptors)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Kim Tengler of Wisconsin is the winner of the 2000 Decorative Rug Contest sponsored by the National Association of Rug Makers and Sculptors. Rug makers throughout the United States and Canada submitted their entries, which were judge on...

Marley Flexco announces two new distributors. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Marley Flexco has added two new companies to its distribution network. The R.A. Siegel Co. will distribute Marley Flexco's line of rubber, vinyl, and ESD products in central Florida, Georgia, Alabama, and central and east Tennessee. Walton...

Ardex, Henry Host Educational Seminar. (Scribe Marks).(at World Floor Covering Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Ardex and Henry co-hosted an educational seminar at World Floor Covering Association headquarters in Anaheim, Calif., Feb. 8-9. Attendees were privy to two days of lectures and hands-on work dealing with self-leveling underlayments and other...

Para-Chem expands Texas facility. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)(Statistical Data Included)
March 1, 2001... Para-Chem is expanding its Mansfield, Tex. manufacturing and warehouse facility. The project includes an additional 22,500 square feet of space, enlarged loading and access areas, and improved facilities for drivers and employees. The...

Custom Building Products opens new plant. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Custom Building Products has opened a new manufacturing facility in Clinton County Ind. The state-of-the-art plant sits on 32 acres, and boasts the latest in robotic manufacturing technology and high-density storage. Custom's complete line...

CTEF opens new training facility. (Scribe Marks).(Ceramic Tile Education Foundation)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation has opened a 6,500-square-foot training center designed to meet the growing demand for hands-on installation and ceramic tile-related courses. The new facility offers a dedicated product display area...

CFI vice president killed in auto accident. (Scribe Marks).(Andre Southworth, International Certified)(Floorcovering Installers Association)(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2001... Andre Southworth, 44, vice president of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association, was killed in an automobile accident Feb. 6 in Ogden, Utah. A past winner of the prestigious Charlie Gress Award for outstanding...

Burke Mercer promotes key personnel. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Burke Mercer flooring has promoted several key managers to strategic positions in an effort to improve service across the organization. Phyllis Gagnon is the new director of marketing. Bill Celentano will be the new regional business...

NOFMA to develop certification, training program for inspectors. (Scribe Marks).(National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association has endorsed plans to develop a program to train and certify hardwood-flooring inspectors. The move makes NOFMA the first organization in the flooring industry to address the growing need for...

Formica names Hartman president of flooring division. (Scribe Marks).(David Hartman)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Formica Corp. has named David Hartman as president of the company's newly created flooring division. The company describes the move as marking a renewed focus by Formica on the flooring category. Hartman joined Formica in 1996 to start up...

Orcon announces trip giveaway winners. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Orcon drew the winners for its Hawaiian Trip Giveaway Friday, Feb. 1 at Surfaces 2001. Antonio Rodriguez, a Los Angeles based installer, was selected in a random drawing to receive a trip for two including airfare and hotel, to the Hawaiian...

NALFA industry standards in final stages of approval. (Scribe Marks).(North American Laminate Flooring Association)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The North American Laminate Flooring Association's voluntary residential performance standards are in the final stages of approval by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). The standards address consumer concerns about wear...

Revolutionize the way you buy flooring. (Products Literature Guide).
March 1, 2001... Turn every installation job into a more profitable job by also selling the flooring. At ProSource, we make you more money by offering over 20,000 flooring products for you to sell -- carpet, vinyl, ceramic, laminate and hardwood. We also carry...

Moisture in Concrete Slabs Methods of Moisture Testing for Concrete. (Products Literature Guide).
March 1, 2001... Prevent costly floor covering failures by understanding the causes of moisture in concrete slabs. PCA's no-nonsense video uses real-world examples to review available test methods - including an in-depth look at the new ASTM standard on calcium...

Sawtec[R] Grinder-Vac. (Products Literature Guide).
March 1, 2001... Sawtec[R] duct-free Grinder-Vac surface grinding equipment is ideal for concrete cleaning, planing or thin coating removal when used with dry diamond cup wheels, and for removal of mastics, epoxies, urethane, paint and thick coatings when used...

Floor leveler allows foot traffic in minimal time. (Products Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2001... Smooth Start, a new self-leveling underlayment from TEC Specialty Products, is designed to level from featheredge to 1-inch deep in a single pour, producing a uniform finish for all types of interior floor coverings, the company says. ...

ECO 420 adhesive braves conditions indoors and out. (Products Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2001... Mapei introduces ECO 420, a latex-based, all-weather outdoor carpet adhesive designed to withstand constant moisture and exposure. ECO 420 may be used with most carpet backings, and can withstand heavy foot traffic while wet. ECO 420's...

Sinclair introduces Delta II grinder. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Sinclair's Delta II is a dual-head grinder designed for concrete smoothing and the removal of surface coatings, adhesives, and other debris. The exclusive tulip, or triangle, design overlaps the grinding discs, removing any void between them in...

NAC Iso-Mat membrane for crack suppression. (Products Tools & Accessories).(NAC Products)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The Iso-Mat self-adhering membrane for crack suppression from NAC Products, Inc., has been on the market for close to 20 years. Formulated for use in ceramic tile and dimensional stone installations, Iso-Mat's open fiberglass mesh design...

Pro-Slope designed with requirements in mind. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Noble Co.)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Pro-Slope from the Noble Co. is designed with the Uniform Plumbing Code in mind. The UPC requires a slope of 1/4-inch per foot to the drain under the waterproofing in shower receptors. Pro-Slope, the company says, creates the required slope....

Seam Master unveils 2001 catalog. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Seam Master Tapes has released its 2001 catalog, featuring the company's complete line of seaming tapes. The eight-page catalog showcases Seam Master's trademark Gripper Tapes; the high-tech K-Tapes; Golden Nugget; Grrip-Lok; and other...

Strip 'N' Clean scrapers from Warner Tool. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Warner Tool)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Warner Tool introduces a collection of new scrapers designed to attack a variety of jobsite and installation situations. The 4-inch Strip 'N' Clean #790 features a 12-inch handle, the #791 scraper an 18-inch steel handle, and the #792, a...

USG's Fiberock-Aqua Tough an environmentally friendly underlayment. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Fiberock-Aqua Tough from USG Corp. is a new moisture-resistant residential flooring underlayment designed to deliver superior performance, enhanced versatility, and quick installation, the company says. The panels are made from 100%...

Schluter Systems drain assembly provides secure connection. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Schluter Systems introduces a new drain assembly designed with an integrated bonding flange. The Kerdi-Drain, as it is known, helps provide a secure connection to Schluter-Kerdi, as well as to other bonded, waterproof membranes. ...

Parabond contact cement around for the Duration. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Parabond introduces Duration, a contact cement designed for floor covering applications. The product's non-flammable formulation allows for the use of heat to help significantly reduce drying time. Duration is non-hazardous, according to the...

FC tile cutters from Felker reach the market. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
March 1, 2001... Felker introduces three new professional tile cutters for 2001. The FC-16 Light-Duty Professional Cutter is designed for use with 16-inch tiles, and features a sturdy, cast-aluminum frame. The FC-18 Heavy-Duty Professional Cutter cuts 18-inch...

Bon Tool 2001 full-line catalog available. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The Bon Tool Co. catalog for 2001 is now available. The 148-page book features a full line of contractor hand tools and equipment for building trades, more than 3,000 products in all. The catalog also features and expanded BonDura line,...

BonaKemi releases 2001 catalog. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... A comprehensive, 26-page catalog of all Bona products and services for 2001 has been released by the company. Among the lines featured in the catalog are the company's ProSand and ProSand DCS sanding equipment brands, and the Woodline...

Pro-Team MegaVac offers big power in a little package. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... The MegaVac Backpack Vacuum with 14-inch floor tool weighs in at 11 pounds. The system features inch lightweight aluminum wand for ease of maneuverability, while the 17-inch crevice tool sucks up between floors and baseboards. The...

EDCO grinders make their mark in floor covering. (Products Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... EDGO single disc grinders grind high spots, rough finishes, uneven joints, as well address a number of other problems. The three-point floor contact between the rear wheels and the disc make the grinder easier to operate, while grease fittings...

RE: Has Installation Training Improved in the First Year of the New Millennium? (Nov/Dec 2000 FCI). (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Dear FCI: I am writing in response to Ken Knudtzon's article in the Nov/Dec 2000 issue of FCI. I am a retired floor coverer who has been training apprentices in the Milwaukee and Madison, Wisc. area for the past 11 years. The program is a...

RE: 2000 Installation Won Excellence Awards. (Letters to the Editor).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Dear FCI: I just wanted to write and give a big thanks to you, your people, magazine, and company sponsors of the 2000 Installation Excellence Awards. It's always great when one gets big kudos from clients, but to get such high recognition...

FCICA, the Quiet Giant, is Waiting for You. (FCICA News).
March 1, 2001... This spring, the "quiet giants" of the floor covering installation community will be gathering to learn and network with other industry leaders at the Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association Convention, "Investment In Learning," in...

CFI: The Certified Family of Installers. (CFI Report).(Brief Article)(Obituary)
March 1, 2001... As the carpet installation community continues to recover from the shocking news of the sudden passing of Andre Southworth, I would like to reflect upon something Jerry Miller said to me. He said he felt that CFI stood for "Certified Family of...

Tools of the Trade: Who's Responsible II. (Fiana Dossier).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2001... Recently, I received an e-mail from an installer asking me to list the tools that should be the responsibility of the installer, and a list of those that should be the responsibility of the flooring retailer or contractor. It seemed, at least...

National Installation Contest at Surfaces Surpasses Expectations.
March 1, 2001... The 4th Annual World Floor Covering Association National Installation Contest at surfaces 2001, Jan. 31 -- Feb. 2, brought together one of the most balanced and competitive fields the event has ever seen. The two-day contest saw 20 of the floor...