Floor Covering Installer articles from May 2001

Floor Covering Installer archives from May 2001

The FCI Directory & Buying Guide: A true learning experience. (FCI Editorial).
May 1, 2001... When the BNP brain trust first broached the subject of incorporating a seventh issue into FCI's publishing schedule, I'll admit to some reservations. Not with content, mind you; there's nothing in the floor covering installation industry that...

Sports Bar Blues. (You Make The Call).
May 1, 2001... A well-known, popular sports bar situated near the university football stadium in AnyTown, U.S.A., is the scene of the crime. Eight months after the installation of a 28-to-32-ounce loop pile, 100% olefin, action-backed, direct-glued carpet,...

RE: Thoughts and Tips for a New Year (Jan/Feb 2001). (Letters to the Editor).(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2001... Dear FCI, Regarding the article by Michael Hetts in the January/February issue of FCI, "Thoughts and Tips for a New Year." Using an extension cord to move things is nor a good idea. The only strength the cord has is in the copper wire,...

Examine the Value of Membership. (Getting Down To Business).
May 1, 2001... Can you stop work, say "no" to a project and, dare I suggest, take a few days off work to attend an event? The answer is simple. You can't afford not to. There are several associations in the floor covering industry working hard to bring about...

The Water/Cement Ratio and You. (From The Technical Expert).
May 1, 2001... The combination of water, cement, and aggregate creates concrete. Of course, there are multiple additives that can be employed to control set, provide protection from freezing, and so on. But basically, what we are concerned with today is the...

Stair Installation: Part I. (A Carpet Installer's Notebook).
May 1, 2001... This is the first in a series focusing on stair installations. The scenario is a basic one: An enclosed-box staircase installed waterfall, using tackless and a knee-kicker, from the bottom up. Why this approach? This is the standard stair...

What Contributes to the Success or Failure of an Adhesive Installation? (Best Job Practices).
May 1, 2001... The success or failure of any adhesive installation depends on the adhesive's ability to adhere to both the substrate and the material being installed, as well as on its internal strength characteristics. An adhesive installation failure...

Multimedia Installations: Hardwood, Tile, and Stone Working as One.
May 1, 2001... Today's consumers continue to demand one-of-a-kind installations. In response, creative installation technicians have started adding unique accents to their projects, combining North American hardwoods with contrasting materials like ceramic...

We Own Installation. (FCICA News).
May 1, 2001... The Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA) has just concluded a two-year period full of growth, advancement, and professionalism. It is now poised to build upon its accomplishments and focus even further on the services it...

Specifying a Moisture Control System. (Resilient Revisited).
May 1, 2001... There are many products being marketed today that purport to solve moisture-related flooring problems. At the same time, it has become commonplace to focus on warranties rather than product performance. This has led to a lot of confusion among...

Support. (FIANA Dossier).
May 1, 2001... What do you support? Why do you support it? Throughout our lives, we are called on to support various causes, beliefs, organizations, and opinions. Have you ever given any thought to how much time you spend supporting organizations that benefit...

Pre-Fabrication of a Laminate Floor: Can It Be Done? (Looking At Laminate).
May 1, 2001... I have always been a proponent of flooring pre-fabricadon if there is just cause. Most flooring products, including laminates, can be pre-fabricated. When considering pre-fabricating a laminate floor, or a portion of it, be sure to take into...

Protective Membrane Systems. (Treatise On Tile).
May 1, 2001... Tiles last forever!" was the tile installers' battle cry when I took one of my first jobs in the trade. Unfortunately helper to a tile setter who specialized in repair work. For those who hold the same belief, that job was as a helper to a tile...

Revolutionize the way you buy flooring. (ProSource).
May 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. (Portland Cement).
May 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...

Sound Seal. (Products Literature Guide).
May 1, 2001... Sound Seal Acoustical Flexible Vinyl Noise Barriers are available in a variety of styles to meet a multitude of applications in the Industrial, Architectural, Construction, and OEM markets. Used to improve transmission loss in flooring...

Bon Tool. (Products Literature Guide).
May 1, 2001... Adjustable knee kicker suits all carpet types. With three nap grip settings, nine pin depth positions and five options for overall tool length, this Deluxe Adjustable knee kicker from Bon Tool Co. is suitable for all types of carpet. The...

Blastrac BMS 270 Floor Scraper. (USF).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Blastrac(R) BMS 270 ride-on scraping machine quickly removes VCT, carpet, marble or ceramic tile, wood flooring, waterproof membranes and more from concrete surfaces. It features a 2-inch breaker tooth for ceramic tile, marble, wood and...

Camie Campbell. (Products Literature Guide).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Camie Products include adhesives, lubricants, cleaners and adhesive removers packaged in aerosol and bulk containers. These products are produced and sold to the professional floor covering installer to make the job easier and faster. Send for...

FCICA Convention's Power-Packed Program Puts Education Squarely in the Spotlight. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The FCICA (Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association) 19th annual convention took a giant step forward March 27-31 in New Orleans. Attendees and observers gave the convention high marks, generally agreeing that the FCICA rose to its...

Mapei appoints Southland as St. Louis distributor. (Scribe Marks).
May 1, 2001... Mapei recently appointed Southland Flooring Supplies as its distributor in the St. Louis, Mo. area. Southland will carry all Mapei floor covering installation systems and concrete restoration systems for the region, including eastern Missouri...

Swanson wins one-carat diamond from Custom Building Products. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Don Swanson of Tile Co. in Santa Monica, Calif., was selected as the winner of the Custom Building Products Diamond Promotion conducted at Surfaces 2001 in Las Vegas earlier this year. Custom hosted the giveaway in conjunction with the launch...

Goodfellow Inc. becomes BonaKemi distributor. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... BonaKemi Inc. announced that Goodfellow Inc. based in Delson, Quebec, has become a full-line BonaKemi distributor, carrying the company's machines, abrasives, finishing, and maintenance products. "We are extremely pleased with this new...

Editor's Note. (Scribe Marks).
May 1, 2001... The "Hardwoods in the Bath: Finishing for Wet, Humid Environments" article in the May/June 2001 issue of FCI featured a photograph of a Harris Tarkett hardwood floor. Harris Tarkett does not recommend its hardwood floors for full-bath...

Air Force Academy Pool Makes A Big Splash. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The United Stares Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. is a well-known symbol of the pride and support the country puts into its armed forces. So when the academy selected the contractors responsible for refinishing its recreational...

Bostik Findley acquires DAP's Durabond family. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Bostik Findley Flooring Group announced that it has acquired the Durabond line of flooring installation products from DAP Inc., as well as three of the company's related manufacturing and distribution facilities located in New Jersey,...

INSTALL looks to address installer training. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The United Brotherhood of Carpenters unveiled its new INSTALL identity designed to re-brand and showcase the organization's floor covering installation training, at Surfaces 2001 earlier this year. The floorcovering division of the UBC in...

Alloc names its Distributor of the Year. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Acoustical Specialties & Supply was named Alloc Inc.'s Distributor of the Year for 2000. Alloc President Claes Wennerth presented the award to Acoustical Flooring Manager Bill Baker at Surfaces 2001 in Las Vegas. Acoustical Specialties &...

CFI convention makes its way to L.A. (Scribe Marks).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association's 8th annual convention will be held in Los Angeles, July 25-29, at the Marriott Airport Hotel. The convention, billed by CFI as the educational event of the year for installers,...

Tile Eze unveils new slab edge drill. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Tile Eze introduces the Slab Edge Drill FA12 to its line of machinery an tools for the tile, stone, and construction industry The FA12 drills precise holes on the edges of marble, granite, and stone slabs. The FA12's adjustment mechanism...

Blastrac scraper makes quick work of flooring. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Blastrac BMS-270 is a propane-powered, ride-on, scraping machine designed for the removal of VCT; carpet; marble or ceramic tile; wood flooring; waterproof membranes; and other flooring or coating materials from a concrete surface. An...

Carpet tape designed for residue-free removal. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... In response to a demand for carpet tape with better residue-free removal, Tyco Adhesives introduces Polyken 107 differential carpet rape. Polyken 107 is specifically designed to prevent adhesive residue on floor substrates and the underside of...

Lightweight dollies from Racatac. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... A new line of lightweight aluminum dollies from Racatac Products is designed to keep installation materials close, at hand and easy to move. There are two available sizes: The 12-by-12-inch dolly weighs 2-3/4 pounds, with a weight capacity of...

Sinclair unleashes the Elephant. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The Elephant from Sinclair Equipment Co. was developed for the blast removal and cleaning of horizontal surfaces like concrete, asphalt, and steel. The push-or-pull shot blaster is lightweight, simple to operate, and its compact design allows...

PNI nailer gets the job done. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Porta-Nails Inc., the manufacturer of the Porta-Nailer and Partamatic wood flooring system, recently announced the addition of three pneumatic fasteners and nailers for both the professional and do-it-yourselfers. One model, the Model 460...

Sinclair introduces new line of grinders. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Sinclair Equipment Co.'s new Dia Logic line)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Sinclair Equipment Co. announces Dia Logic, a new line of planetary grinders. Available in the 21-inch Model 530, the 27-inch Model 680, or the 32-inch Model 820, the Dia Logic grinders are designed for wet or dry grinding or marble, terrazzo,...

Paslode cuts cost of angled finish nailer. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Paslode Corp.'s TrimMaster Cordless Angled Finish Nailer)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Paslode's new TrimMaster Cordless Angled Finish Nailer is now available at a reduced price. Production efficiencies from increased unit sales volume are allowing a reduction in the price of the technologically advanced tool, the company says....

Carpet Mule rolls 'em out. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Carpet Mule Product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Carpet Mule Products introduces the Carpet Mule, a totally self-contained product designed to move large carpet rolls easily and safely. Constructed entirely of stainless steel, the Carpet Mule allows for one-man an operation in three steps,...

New brochure showcases Levelrock. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(from USG Corp)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... An eight-page brochure from USG Corp. provides detailed information on the company's new Levelrock floor underlayments. The premium line of gypsum cement flooring products is intended for a wide range of commercial and residential multi-family...

Pro/Float from Mapei helps reduce substrate problems. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(company product specifications)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Pro/Float from Mapei is a polyethylene grid system that is connected and fastened to the floor, then floated with Mapecem Premix high-strength mortar mix. The company says the system for same-day tile installation, has no seams, will not rust...

If the shoe fits, Powemail wears it. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Nailer Shoe product information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Powernail Co. Inc. introduces the Nailer Shoe for racking 9/16-inch to 3/4-inch T&G strip flooring. The 17-ounce Nailer Shoe, designed to easily retrofit a manual Model 45 Powernailer or a pneumatic Model 445 Powernailer, provides a faster...

Taylor Tools introduces new laser angle. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(company product introduction)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... The #705 Laser Angle from Taylor Tools includes a scale and angle application, designed to simplify cutting for installation-related projects, the company says. The installer swivels the laser along the desired angle to project a precise...

SurePly available at distributors nationwide. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Pat Brown Lumber Corp product information)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... SurePly, a premium-grade imported plywood underlayrnent from Pat Brown Lumber Corp., is backed by a 1O-year warranty and is accepted as an approved underlayment by viny1 manufacturers, the company says

Taylor Tools unveils the Bronco. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Taylor Tools introduces the Bronco, a compact, electric-powered professional stripper featuring a unique, articulating Power Wedge design intended to provide as much stripping power as heavier machines. Powered by a 7 1/2-hp, 220-volt,...

Felker announces new addition to tile saw line. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(FTS-50 Portable Tile Saw)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Felker introduces the FTS-50 Portable Tile Saw. The FTS-50 is designed to make portable tile cutting easier, the company says. The saw comes with a cover, 5-inch premium diamond blade, rip guide, and variable-angle guide. The FTS-50 also...

SL-24 Laser Square offers up a variety of leveling options. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
May 1, 2001... The SL-24 Laser Square is a line-producing square and level-line laser tool. The Square offers 90-degree squaring with lines, not dots, as well as lines for horizontal alignment. With what the company calls "the most powerful laser beam...

Custom Building Products unveils new blades. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(SuperiorBilt Diamond Blades line)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... Custom Building Products announces the introduction of SuperiorBilt, a new line of Diamond Blades. Designed to be used for cutting, profiling, polishing or drilling ceramics; masonry; porcelain; marble; granite; and glass. The SuperiorBilt...

Schluter Systems drain assembly provides secure connection. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Kerdi-Drain system)(Brief Article)
May 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. ...

OSI gets a grip with fast-grabbing adhesive. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(introduces Pro-Series SF-400 adhesive)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... OSI Sealants introduces the Pro-Series SF-400, a versatile, high-performance adhesive the company says provides a fast-grabbing, strong bond, specifically designed for glued-floor systems. Pro-Series SF-400 is light ran, available in...

Leo Martinez introduces two new products. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Flooring tool product introduction)(Brief Article)(Product Announcement)
May 1, 2001... Flooring tool manufacturer Leo Martinez Enterprises announces two new products. The companys has unveiled a new manual grooving tool designed to work on safety/abrasive materials that does not use electricity, produces no dust, and is capable...

PolyGlide adhesive looks to speed installation. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(TEC Specialty Products Inc. type ii wall and floor adhesive)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... TEC Specialty Products Inc. introduces PolyGlide, a new Type II wall and floor adhesive. The acrylic-based adhesive features a creamy, light viscosity that spreads over surfaces, and is recommended by the company for bonding 6-by-6-inch and...

ConProTec unveils hand-held dispensing system. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(ConProTec Inc.'s MixPac Hand-Held Adhesive Dispensing System)(Brief Article)
May 1, 2001... ConProTec Inc. introduces the MixPac Hand-Held Adhesive Dispensing System for two-component adhesives. The system consists of a manual or pneumatic dispensing gun, a cartridge, and a static mixer, all designed to work as a single integrated...

Pro-Slope designed with requirements in mind. (Products, Tools & Accessories).(Noble Co. product for shower floors)(Brief Article)
May 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....