Floor Covering Installer articles from March 2003

Floor Covering Installer archives from March 2003

The benefits of competition. (Editorial).
March 1, 2003... From a very early age, we are constantly corn pared to others, at school, at work, and at home. While too much competition can have negative consequences, a little healthy competition has many benefits; it makes us work harder, improve our...

Got cracks? (You Make the Call).
March 1, 2003... As strange as it may sound, cracks in concrete sub-floors are a very common condition, and even more unusual is who gets blamed for them. The following are two job sites (new construction at the time) where the customer's complaint was the...

Flatweaves. (A Carpet Installer's Notebook).
March 1, 2003... A friend called saying he had a job coming up with a carpet he had never worked with and wondered if I could help him with it. A highly skilled installer with a lot of experience installing patterns and woven goods, he is wise enough to ask for...

Mold--our next big challenge. (From the Technical Expert).
March 1, 2003... The rush is on. Everyone wants to make hay with mold or else distance themselves from liability. Insurance companies are already writing mold exclusions in their policies, especially since there have been some high settlements. Attorneys are...

Installation assurance program makes great strides for CFI. (CFI Report).
March 1, 2003... CFI; when you hear that name today, you hear the name of an organization that is working for flooring installers. It is impossible to list all of the things that are happening. The IAP, Installation Assurance Program, has made great strides for...

Adhesive and backing compatibility.
March 1, 2003... The issue of adhesive and backing compatibility has become very complex due to the growing number of carpet mills that have their own private label adhesives and private label backings, not to mention liability disclaimers that specific the...

Going glueless. (Namba's World).
March 1, 2003... The laminate flooring market has certainly undergone many changes recently. We had the introduction of laminate flooring to the United Stares in the '90s, and many were wondering if the product would last five years. Glueless type systems...

Radiant heating systems and wood flooring. (Nofma Tip Sheet).
March 1, 2003... Solid wood flooring and radiant heating systems can work well together with the correct choice of flooring materials, proper scheduling, and attention to installation details. The typical winter heating season is associated with low humidity...

New tools for a new era.
March 1, 2003... We have good news and we have bad news. The good news is ceramic tile continues to grow in popularity. "For 2002 we have seen a continued but moderate growth trend," said Bob Daniels, Executive Director of the Tile Council of America. Tile is...

Johnsonite's Power Tape now available in 1 1/2-inch rolls. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... Johnsonite's Power Tape, part of Johnsonite's Power Tape Adhesive System, is now available in 1 1/2-inch rolls for installing stair nosings and wheeled traffic transition. Johnsonite alos offers a 9 1/2-inch Power Tape roll for installing stair...

Laticrete creates grout for floors and walls. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... Laticrete International Inc. now offers Latapoxy SP-100 Stainless Grout for Floors N' Walls, designed to eliminate sags or slumps in the joints, according to the company. The product is packaged in several sizes to fit small jobs and large...

James Hardie releases Hardibacker EZ Grid. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 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 out, score and snap. ...

Bostik Findley intros Fast Patch 102 cement patch. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... The Bostik Findley Flooring Group has released the new and improved Fast Patch 102 Latex-Fortified Portland Cement Patch for use in a variety of indoor floor covering installations. The cement patch is designed to skim coat or fearheredge a...

Overlapp Welding Tool features motorized, hand-steered drive. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... Malcom Hot Air Systems' new Leister TriacDrive Overlapp Welding Tool features a motorized hand-steered drive with a knurled steel roller designed to allow constant nozzle position and speed. The unit utilizes the Triac 'S' hot air tool to...

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

Porta-Nails introduces PneumaticHammerhead. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
March 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...

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

Cal Flor Accessory Systems Click seal seals glueless floors. (Products Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... Cal-Flor Accessory Systems Click Seal is a sealant made of wax and oil designed for use in the installation of laminate and engineered glueless flooring. Click Seal is designed to be applied on-site to the tongue side of planks, to...

Marizzaldi manufacturing introduces a manual carpet puller for glue down carpet removal. (Products Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... The unit removes 4ft or 6ft sections at a time, utilizing leverage and a 3/4-inch drive ratchet mechanism. The light weight all steel unit requires no maintenance, therefore an excellent rental tool. Dealer inquiries welcome. Circle 348 on...

GE Protimeter meters meet ASTM standards. (Products Tools & Accessories).
March 1, 2003... GE Protimeter provides instruments for installers and inspectors to employ the new and more effective ASTM method for checking moisture, providing rime and cost savings. The design of Protimeter hygrometers, with interchangeable Hygrostick...

Why I belong to the FCICA. (FCICA News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... When it comes to meeting a lot of people on the installation side of the flooring industry, I consider myself lucky. From the two-men companies to the largest "work rooms," I get to visit installation businesses with many different service...

2003 WFCA national installation contest raises awareness. (Industry News).
March 1, 2003... The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) Installation Contest was held January 28-30 at Surfaces 2003 in Las Vegas. The winners were: Robert Varden, First Place, Carpet; Jim Rank, Second Place, Carpet; Dave Rowden, First Place, Resilient;...

Mold seminar a big hit with surfaces attendees. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... FCI columnist Joe Grady led a panel discussion titled "Mold: A Growing Problem in Floor Covering" at the Surfaces conference in Las Vegas on January 31. Panelists were: Ray Thompson, manager of field installation training for Armstrong World...

Big D opens branch in Salt Lake City. (Industry News).
March 1, 2003... Installation supplies distributor Big D Floor Covering Supplies, headquartered in Garden Grove, Calif., has opened a new 10,000 square-foot branch in Salt Lake City. Serving Idaho, Wyoming and Utah, the branch is located at 2560 South 300 West,...

NAC spray primer discontinued. (Industry News).(National Applied Construction Products Inc.'s six-can-per-carton spray primer)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Effective immediately, National Applied Construction Products Inc.'s six-can-per-carton spray primer is no longer available. According to the company, NAC TAC interior primer in quarts and gallons, and NS 97 exterior/wet area primer in...

Powernail honors its top salesman and sales representative. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Powernail Co. Inc. recently honored its top sales and sales representative. The 2002 Salesman of the Year Award was presented to Dick Ayres. He covers Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont for...

Dupont-Mohawk Sponsored CFI Installation seminars. (Carpet).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Dupont-Mohawk Sponsored CFI Installation seminars. Dupont and Mohawk are sponsoring CFI Certification seminars nationwide. For details, call (800) 248-8582, ext. 239.

Lees Carpet Institute. (Carpet).(offering training )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Lees Carpet Institute ensures that installers get personal training to receive Lees' highest level of certification. Students are required to have five years of experience before being accepted into the program. Training adheres to CRI...

National Carpet Equipment. (Carpet).(offering training )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... National Carpet Equipment conducts a variety of custom training courses to fir the student's needs. Hands-on training cover all phases: rug design, carpet carving, sculpting, bas-relief, binding, hand tufting, fiber optic and more. National...

Orcon Installation Center. (Carpet).(offering training)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Orcon Installation Center offers training on estimating, seam placement, specialty installations, pattern marching, and much more. For details, call (510) 430-8865.

Basic Coatings Professional Sand & Finish school. (Wood).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Basic Coatings Professional Sand & Finish school. The three-day Professional Sand & Finish School, sponsored by 3M, Basic Coatings and ALTO, provides the opportunity for hardwood floor professionals to become certified as mastering professional...

National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA). (Wood).(conducting training schools)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) conducts two-day advanced regional training schools, three-day basic regional training schools and four-day Hardwood Professional Sales & Installation Schools. For details, call (800) 422-4556.

Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association. (Wood).(sponsoring wood flooring school)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association (NOFMA) along with the National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) and the Maple Flooring Manufacturers Association (MFMA) jointly sponsor a five-day Wood Flooring School. The course covers installation...

Armstrong Wood Products National National Training Center. (Wood).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Armstrong Wood Products National National Training Center offers a four-day installation workshop designed for beginning or intermediate installers. For derails, call (800) 526-0308, ext. 2532.

Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF). (Tile & Stone).(offering classes )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Ceramic Tile Education Foundation (CTEF) is holding classes for consumers, architects, designers, salespeople and floor-covering professionals at its training lab on the Tile Council of America campus in Clemson, SC. A wide variety of...

HG Maintenance Systems. (Tile & Stone).(offering seminars )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... HG Maintenance Systems offers one-day, hands-on seminars for natural stone restoration and maintenance, including instruction on leveling, grinding and polishing of various calcareous, stone surfaces. For details, call (888) 615-2128.

National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA). (Tile & Stone).(offering workshop)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) offers the NTCA Workshop, a three-hour program now being conducted at various sites throughout the country. In addition, NTCA now offers Workshop Plus, a comprehensive three-day training sessions...

National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades. (Tile & Stone).(providing training )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The National Training Center for Stone & Masonry Trades provides training in all aspects of the stone and tile industry, from design and installation to fabrication and restoration and maintenance. For details, call (404) 834-4800.

Aqua mix introduces independent care & maintenance applicator program. (Showcase).(Brief Article)(Calendar)
March 1, 2003... Aqua Mix has announced the 2003 schedule for the Independent Care & Maintenance Applicator program. The program will offer a wide range of training and techniques to its students. Upon completion of the course, the trained applicators will he...

Amtico International. (Laminate/Resilient).(offering classes )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Amtico International conducts a Floor Installarion Training School. Classes are limited to 14 people per session. For details, call (404) 267-1900.

Domco. (Laminate/Resilient).(providing training methods)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Domco provides a number of training methods to provide education on installation of all its resilient product offerings. For details, call (800) 227-4662.

Roane Company. (Laminate/Resilient).(offering clinics )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Roane Company is offering monthly Witex installation clinics. Also available: Witex installation and repair videos. For more information, call (800) 273-6499 (CA, AZ and NV only) or (562) 404-3464.

Northern Industries. (Laminate/Resilient).(offering courses)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Northern Industries offers a three-day seamless flooring and waterproofing installation course. Course fee of $175 includes hands-on training and certification. For details, call (401) 821-2121.

TOLI International. (Laminate/Resilient).(offering course )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... TOLI International offers a six-hour course that covers jobsite conditions, moisture and pH testing, floor preparation, adhesives, seaming and initial maintenance for TOLI tile, vinyl plank and sheer vinyl. For details, call (888) 879-8654.

Ardex. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering seminars)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Ardex conducts a two-day training seminar on underlayment leveling and a two-day ceramic tile accessories seminar. Both classes are held at the Ardex Technical Center near Pittsburgh, PA. Classes are free, with lodging and most meals provided....

Dependable Floor Products. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering seminars)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Dependable Floor Products offers two-day training seminars on sub-floor preparation and Dependable products. Training includes classroom instruction and hands-on training with trowelable, moisture treatment, and self-leveling products. For...

Laticrete International. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering seminars)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Laticrete International offers several seminars designed specifically for distributors, dealers, and others directly involved in the ceramic rile and stone industry. Attendees qualify for AIA/CES Learning Units. For details, call (800)...

MAPEI Corporation. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... MAPEI Corporation offers seminars on adhesives, repairing and patching, floor leveling, double-glue carpet installation, ceramic tile installation and more. For details, call (800) 42-MAPEI.

Schluter Systems. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering tile installation seminar )
March 1, 2003... Schluter Systems offers a tile installation seminar for professional installation technicians in the ceramic and stone industry. For details, call (800) 472-4588.

Scofield Institute. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering workshops)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Scofield Institute offers hands-on workshops combining practical demonstrations with opportunities for participants to improve their skills in cementitious overlays and decorative concrete finishing. For details, call (800) 800-9900.

Tarkett. (Underlayment/Subfloor).(offering courses )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Tarkett offers an installation course that addresses underlayments, adhesives, moisture testing, coving, seaming and more. For information and registration, call Tarkert's technical services department at (610) 266-5500.

Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI). (Multiple Subjects).(offering courses)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Certified Floorcovering Installers (CFI) presents two, two-day courses: an estimating and measuring course and an installation-for-the-inspector course. The first course is designed to provide entry-level training for those interested in...

Crain Cutter Co. (Multiple Subjects).(conducting flooring covering installation clinics )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Crain Cutter Co. conducts complete floor covering installation clinics at distributor locations. For details, contact the distributor listed in your area or Crain Cutter at (408) 946-6100.

Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services. (Multiple Subjects).(offering courses for inspectors )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Floor Covering Institute of Technical Services offers three courses for inspectors. The Certified Carpet Claims Inspectors school is a six-day course with in-depth coverage of carpet claims. The Resilient/Hard Surface Inspectors Class...

Forbo Industries. (Multiple Subjects).(Master Mechanic School)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... The Forbo Industries Master Mechanic School is a six-day program for the experienced installer. The program is directed toward the commercial installer who recognizes the importance of continued training and professionalism. The Associate...

International Standards and Training Alliance. (Multiple Subjects).(offering four-year training program)(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... INSTALL -- the International Standards and Training Alliance -- offers a four-year training program based on a curriculum reviewed and refined by technical and education experts from several major mills and manufacturers. Content includes...

Mannington Floors. (Multiple Subjects).(offering training courses )(Brief Article)
March 1, 2003... Mannington Floors offers week-long installation training courses. The Basic Residential Resilient Training Class features Mannington's residential full-spread and perimeter installed products. Also available is a Laminate/Wood Installation...

World Floor Covering Association (WFCA). (Multiple Subjects).
March 1, 2003... The World Floor Covering Association (WFCA) holds hands-on Regional Installation Training and Education (RITE) classes for beginners in carper, resilient, hardwood, laminate, and ceramic flooring installation at its Anaheim, Calif.,...

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

Diamond tech. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... DTI offers a new full-color brochure featuring DL5000 and DL7000 band saws. This brochure offers a full page of customer testimonials and illustrations of intricate cuts made using DL5000 and DL7000. Easy to read comparison chart provides...

C.H. Hanson Company. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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).
March 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 Card.

Lignomat. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

Taylor tools. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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 110V AC current and automatically light up when...

Airsled. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

Tramex Ltd. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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....

Fortin Bros. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... Fortin Brothers designs, develops and manufactures industrial floor covering tools. With over 40 years experience, the company brings to the industry the knowledge required to develop tools for professional floor installers like yourself....

Underwood tool & supply. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... Air-Weight Carpet Installation Tool Designed for the installer who is concerned about quality and time, this seam weight provides a steady flow of air into the carpet thru a perforated polypropylene bottom plate. Unit includes a separately...

Midwest padding. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... DuoFoam[TM] is an underlayment that laminates polyethylene film to our PolyFoam underlayment to create a vapor/moisture resistant barrier, making it more suitable for installations over concrete. For a quick and easy installation, DuoFoam[TM]...

Wagner Electronics releases MMC/MMI moisture meters. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... 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 manufacturers, serious woodworkers and hobbyists, and anyone who...

Taylor tools. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

Teq-2100 Co. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... Teq 2100 makes the following anti-peak 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...

Better Tools. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

Innovatech introduces Schwamborn BEF 301 scarifier. (Products & Literatur on Display).
March 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...

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

M-tec Mono-mix features variable-speed motor. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

HM44 meets new ASTM standard for measuring humidity in concrete. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... Vaisala's HM44 kit meets the new ASTM standard and is the ideal solution for easy, reliable and accurate measurement of humidity in concrete. During construction, it is critical that concrete or other materials be dried precisely. Too short or...

Sinclair introduces Planetary Grinders. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 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...

Sawtec Tile-Vac. (Products & Literature on Display).
March 1, 2003... The Sawtec[R] Tile-Vac cuts out tile, mortar or grout joints virtually dust free. The Tile-Vac comes complete with grinder, vacuum housing, reusable dust collection bag and six feet of hose. The patented system routes the dust down the hose and...