Floor Covering Installer articles from September 2002

Floor Covering Installer archives from September 2002

Promoting Excellence. (FCI Editorial).(Floor Covering Installer magazine)(Editorial)
September 1, 2002... Excellence, whether in a vocation or an avocation, is something most of us aspire to at some point. Part of the something most of us aspire reward lies in the personal satisfaction of a job well done, but recognition from your peers can be just...

Letter to the editor.(carpet stretching technique)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2002... RE: "Seam Peaking: Causes and Solutions Revisited" (July/August 2002 FCI) Dear Editor: The topic of "Seam Peaking: Causes and Solutions Revisited" from your July issue is certainly one of the major causes of consumer dissatisfaction...

Tackless Tactfulness. (You Make the Call).(carpet laying problems, solutions)(Column)
September 1, 2002... Insurance work: the replacement (of equal value) due to a catastrophic and/or unforeseen happening that warrants the replacement of the insured goods. We have all done this type of work or worked for someone who does. It is not the most...

Why I belong to the FCICA. (FCICA News).(Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... 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...

The latest and greatest in seaming technology. (A Carpet Installer's Notebook).
September 1, 2002... Seam peaking is a pesky little problem, helped, but not completely solved by the techniques we discussed last issue. Now into the fray come reinforcements in the shape of a new way to seal cut edges. This new technology allows us to seal the...

One of your jobs is going to be inspected. (Best Job Practices).
September 1, 2002... The inspection: It's not the first time, and it won't be the last. The first thing to do is not panic. Complaints are part of your job if you are in the floor covering business. Some are simple: "that's not the color I purchased," or "the...

Restoring and maintaining an installation. (Treatise on Tile).
September 1, 2002... Installations without cracks or loose tiles should be examined to determine if they can be restored, especially if located in a building with some historical or nostalgic importance. Almost any tile installation that has become unsightly...

What sank the floating floor? (Laminate Flooring Case Study).
September 1, 2002... The flooring looks great as the installer does a final walk-through with the end user. The check is in the bank and clears, and the installer knows that he and his team have displayed professional craftsmanship, and with that, a sense of pride...

Understanding acclimation is crucial in preventing wood floor failure. (NOFMA Tip Sheet).(Wood Flooring Manufacturers Association )
September 1, 2002... A frequently asked question regarding the installation of wood flooring is: "How long does it take to properly acclimate wood flooring before installation?" Acclimation depends on the type of wood flooring product, job site, local environment...

CFI returns to Kansas City for ninth annual convention. (Industry News).(Certified Floorcovering Installers Association)
September 1, 2002... The ninth annual convention of the International Certified Floorcovering Installers Association (CFI) returned to Kansas City, Mo., where the conference was first held. The conference, held Aug. 15-19 at the Westin Hotel, drew 367 attendees,...

WFCA announces regional installation contests: co-sponsored by national floor trends & floor covering installer. (Industry News).
September 1, 2002... The contests include carpet and resilient competitions comprised of three parts: a written exam, repair work, and a hands-on-project. The winners of the regional contests will be flown to Las Vegas on Jan. 29-31, 2003 to participate in the...

SI Flooring Systems offers SoftBac Platinum certification. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... SI Flooring Systems offers a Certified SoftBac Platinum Installer certification program. If an installer is already certified with Shaw, CFI or Orcon, he or she can also receive SoftBac Platinum certification from SI Flooring Systems. Once...

Longhorn Distributors joins APAC team. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Longhorn Distributors of Austin, Texas, has joined APAC as their exclusive distributor for Austin and San Antonio. According to Bobby Moore, president and owner of Longhorn, APAC features "great products, competitive pricing and great...

Aqua Mix adds Stone Business Development Manager. (Industry News).(personnel appointment)
September 1, 2002... Aqua Mix, a manufacturer of hard surface cleaning and maintenance products, has added Fred Jackson as the company's Stone Business Development Manager. Jackson will work closely with the sales manager and reps to help grow stone product...

In memoriam.(Charles "Chuck" Shogren of Kinead Industries and Gypsum Co.'s Durabond Division)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Charles "Chuck" Shogren, longtime regional sales manager for Kinead Industries and the Durabond Division of the United States Gypsum Co. as well as a sales rep in recent years, passed away on Sunday, June 2, 2002 of acute leukemia at the age of...

Hardwood Council launches new website. (Industry News).(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... The Hardwood Council, a national group devoted to helping building professionals, interior designers and woodworkers for effectively specify American hardwoods, has launched a newly revamped website at www.hardwoodcouncil.com. The...

Meyers joins Premier Tape Products team. (Industry News).(George Myers)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Premier Tape Products Inc. has announced George Myers as Premier's engineering department manager and APAC's Plant Project Engineer, overseeing the hot melt rape, laminating and knitted scrim lines. He will report to Gail Mizer, who was...

Shaw Industries Technical Services Installation Bulletins go online. (Industry News).(offers bulletins on two Web sites)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Shaw Industries is posting its Technical Services Carpet Installation Bulletins online through the company's Internet site at www.shawinc.com, and dealer website at www.shawonline.com. Shaw's Technical Services group is recognized as one of...

Chapco adds two distributors. (Industry News).(Chicago Adhesive Products Co.)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2002... Chicago Adhesive Products Co. (Chapco) has announced the appointment of two new distributors for Chapco's line of floor covering adhesives. Caravelle Distributing Co. of Elk Grove Village, Ill., will distribute Chapco products in the metro...

GE Protimeter meters meet ASTM standards. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... GE Protimeter provides instruments for installers and inspectors to employ the new and more effective ASTM method for checking moisture, providing time and cost savings. The design of Protimeter hygrometers, with interchangeable Hygrostick...

National Hardwood carries pre-finished bamboo. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... National Hardwood now carries pre-finished bamboo flooring, molding and trim. The product is available in a vertical or horizontal grain in clear grade, natural or carbonized color, with a semi gloss or satin finish. National Hardwood...

USF Surface Preparation Group debuts updated website. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... USF Surface Preparation Group debuts an improved website allowing visitors to easily browse among the hundreds of USFSPG products. The site identifies products marketed and sold in the United States and Europe with a cleaner, more inviting...

Custom Building Products adds new line of high-performance tile cutters. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Custom Building Products, a manufacturer of tile installation products, has released a new line of high-performance rile cutters designed specifically for large-format tile. The new family of Pro BiltSeries cutters, which will be marketed...

Bonsal offers Wecu Crackless+ cork underlayment. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Bonsal offers Wecu Crackless+ cork underlayment for stress crack protection under ceramic tile. The elastomeric properties of the new product provide superior isolation of ceramic tile, marble and stone from existing and future stress...

Bostik Findley unveils water-proofing and anti-fracture membrane. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Bostik Findley Flooring Group has developed Durabond D-200 Waterproofing & Anti-Fracture Membrane for use in vertical, horizontal, interior and exterior applications. A one-part, trowel-applied, crack-isolation membrane, D-200 is suitable...

Mapei recently introduced Ultratop. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Mapei recently introduced Ultratop, a self-leveling, abrasion-resistant cementitious topping that is poured into place and reaches compressive strengths of 6,100 PSI. The company recommends Ultratop for installations such as warehouse floors,...

Taylor Tools introduces One-Step Seam-Weld System. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Taylor Tools has introduced its One-Step Seam-Weld system, which eliminates the need for application of a seam adhesive prior to seaming by combining the processes of seam sealing and seaming. This results in substantial time saving and the...

Dependable Cutdown slows moisture transmission. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Dependable [R] Cutdown [TM] is a one-part, roll on coating that retards liquid and moisture transmission and isolates cutback and other residues over exixting concrete, wood and other subfloors that is compatible with virtually all modern floor...

Levelution introduces tape measure with unleaded measuring. (Products Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Levelution introduces Next Unleaded Measuring, a tape measure that allows the user one hand, pencil free, to mark wood, metal, drywall, aluminum, tile, slate, plaster and more. Circle 330 on the Reader Inquiry Card. Pull the tape to...

Bostik Findley introduces Durabond floor covering adhesives. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Bostik Findley introduces Durabond D-900 Multipurpose Floor Covering Adhesives. Three products (D-920, D-910 and D-905) utilize proprietary technology to deliver solid performance characteristics in installations of direct glue-down to...

PowerCart releases Carpet Wedgee motorized transport. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... PowerCart Inc. has released their patented Carper Wedgee, a motorized unit manufactured to load and transport carpet rolls. As carpet reaches the end of the loading rail, the balance point shifts and Carpet Wedgee automatically moves from...

Gundlach introduces new grout shield. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Beno J. Gundlach Company introduces a new line of stain protections, cleaners, enhancer and sealers. No. SM02 Grout Shield is a solvent based grout sealer that can be applied to damp uncured grout immediately following installation. Each...

ConPro Tec releases MixPac "S" System adhesive dispensers. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... SALEM, N.H. -- ConPro Tec Inc., a leading manufacturer of two-component adhesive dispensing systems, has released their Mixpac "S" System, offering dispensing of 1:1, 2:1, 3:2, 4:1 and 10:1 volumetric ratios all within one dispenser. The...

Sinclair introduces Planetary Grinders. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... 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...

M-tec Mono-mix features variable-speed motor. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... 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...

Instabind, binds carpet without sewing. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Instabind is a revolutionary new method of binding or serging carpet without sewing. The binding or serging is secured to the back of the carpet with a peel and stick adhesive band. The carper edge is then sealed and the binding or serging...

W.W. Henry creates 'green' adhesive. (Products Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... W.W. Henry has formulated GreenLine GL62 High-Performance Carpet Adhesive. According to the company, the adhesive provides the lowest level of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and odor in the industry. GL62 delivers 97 percent less...

Orcon unveils swivel T-Handle scraper. (Products Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Orcon has unveiled the Swivel T-Handle 4-inch scraper, which incorporates an ergonomically sound design for easier handling of floor scraping tasks, the company says. The scraper features a triple screw blade clamp to prevent stripping, a...

VPI TPR Wall base. (Products Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... 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...

Custom releases versatile adhesives. (Products, Tools & Accessories).
September 1, 2002... Custom Building Products has developed a new line of adhesives that includes OmniGrip Ultimate Tile Adhesive and TripleGrip Premium Tile Adhesive. The new adhesives are available in three grades: premium, professional and commercial. ...

CFI on-site training program expanding convention. (CFI Report).(report on floor installers' convention)
September 1, 2002... The CFI Convention was a great success! Installers arrived from all over the country; ten from China, one from South Africa, and many e-mailed they would attend for the 10th anniversary in 2003. The convention began with the First Chapter...

Special message from CFI.(Duey Johnson and Mike Lassetter face personal losses)
September 1, 2002... We received some very sad news this morning about two of our members who were at the convention. I just received a call from Duey Johnson that his daughter, Deb has passed away. She lost the battle to accept the new organs on August 21. After...

Is bigger better? (FIANA Dossier).(the relation of company size to the quality of customer service)(Editorial)
September 1, 2002... I have often made the statement that all too often, bigger is not only not better, but mote often than not, it's the end of personal relationships with those very customers who help in the growth of the company. Remember back when good old...

Primatech. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... Exceeding the standards of the industry, Primatech product line includes manual and pneumatic mallet-operated hardwood floor nailers that are a perfect match for the North American, European and Asian wood flooring products. Complementing the...

Wagner. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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...

Pacfic Laser Systems. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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 time and money when laying out ceramic tile in kitchens,...

Diamond tech. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... Diamond Laser 5000 and 7000 Diamond-Bladed Wet Band Saws are capable of 95 percent of the cuts typically made with Waterjet technology at a fraction of the cost. For more information, visit www.diamondsaws.com. Circle #355 on the Reader...

USF. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... The Sawtec[R] Crac-Vac crack chasing saw operates virtually dust free when routing out cracks and joints in concrete. A patented system routes dust to a reusable bag--no separate dust collector is required. When mounted on a dolly, it can also...

Premier tape. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... Premier introduces 691, which is a 6-inch tape that is doubled reinforced with tri- over bi-directional scrim and a flat hot melt. All 6-inch tapes are numbered in the 600 series for easy product referencing. Premier also has redesigned...

Carpet Shim. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... CARPET SHIMS solve the height difference between carpet and ceramic or hardwood floors. Carpet Shims eliminate using double tack strip, floating floors with fillers building cardboard ramps, or shake shingles, while eliminating sharp edges of...

Innovatech. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... Due to the growing trend of facility managers refusing to use propane powered machines in their occupied spaces as well as increased safety and liability concerns, Innovatech is proud to introduce the Terminator 2000-e. This unit is a battery...

Tile Eze. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... "TILE-EZE AUTOMATIC GROUTING MACHINE 39 lbs. of pleasure, save your hands and knees with Model R grout cleanup machine. Cleans up to 1000 sq. ft. per hour with an economical replacement sponge belt for under $12.00. You owe it to yourself to...

James Hardie. (Product Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... More durable than wood or glass or mesh backerboards, Hardibacker[R] tile underlayment is non-combustible, resists impacts, and is dimensionally stable. Available in 1/4-inch and 1/2-inch thick panels, it scores and snaps easily and won't crack...

Fortin Bros. (Product Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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....

Porta Nails. (Product Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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...

USF. (Products Litexature Guide).
September 1, 2002... The Blastrac(r) 1-8DEZ is a highly portable, lightweight shot blasting system that runs dependably on 120 volt power while it strips, cleans and profiles in one easy step. Common applications include preparation of small industrial foot areas,...

Foss Manufacturing. (Products Litexature Guide).
September 1, 2002... A versatile indoor/outdoor surface protection product with a non-slip backing that can be used during construction, remodeling, and maintenance projects to provide ptotection against spills, scratches, and dents. TopGuard is reusable, easy to...

National Carpet Equipment. (Products Litexature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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...

Racatac. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... 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,...

Hacker Industries. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... FIRM-FILL Gypsum Concretes and GYP-SPAN Radiant are expertly installed, high strength cementitious floor underlayments supplied by Hacker Industries, Inc. Hacker Floor Underlayments provide a smooth, flat, durable floor surface ready for the...

Powercast. (Products Literature Guide).
September 1, 2002... PowerCart Inc. has released their patented Carper Wedgee, a motorized unit manufactured to load and transport carpet rolls. For details, circle #343 on the Free Information Card. As carpet reaches the end of the loading rail, the...