Floor Covering Installer articles from September 2007

Floor Covering Installer archives from September 2007

Beneath all good installations lies a solid foundation.(Editorial)
September 1, 2007... For years, we at Floor Covering Installer received requests from our readers for more information on underlayments and subfloor preparation. Problems related to this issue, such as moisture, deflection and underlayment selection are at the root...

Profit is a six-letter word not a four-letter word.(Carpet: A Carpet Installer's Notebook)
September 1, 2007... OK, we've been though this before, but maybe you weren't listening, or just maybe you didn't care about what I was saying. Let me spell it out for you--I care about you, I care about your family, I care about your retirement, and most...

Wood flooring subfloor requirements and preparation.(Wood: NOFMA Tip Sheet)
September 1, 2007... The performance of the finished wood floor is directly affected by the performance of the subfloor. We've all heard that the house built on the rickety foundation will fall and the house built on a firm foundation will stand the tests of time....

Level or Flat?(Ceramic: Tile Talk)
September 1, 2007... Learning the difference between those two words can be a very expensive lesson. My education came relatively early in my tile and flooring career. Unfortunately the classroom was a five-story medical office building. During a job meeting it was...

Porta-Nails: when you're in a Jam.(Tool Guide)
September 1, 2007... Thinking it was a one-time thing, it was a pleasant surprise to be asked to compose another article for FCI. Doing an article is not so easy when the tools you're asked to evaluate and write an informative article about are tools I personally...

Solving the slippery nature of moisture problems.
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] When someone coined the phrase, "The only sure things in life are death and taxes," they forgot about moisture. It's an integral part of our atmosphere that is often a welcome friend, but it also can show up...

Cracking in tile floors, Part 2: dealing with cracks--the "Art" Part.
September 1, 2007... In Part one (FCI, May issue), we discussed the types of joints and cracks that are placed into, or that develop in, concrete slabs. In this installment, we will look more closely at these joints and cracks from the standpoint of tile...

Moisture testing, Part one: ASTM F-2170 (In-situ) Hygrometer Probe Test.(Resilient: Resilient Installation Corner)
September 1, 2007... The hygrometer probe test is the most accurate of the concrete moisture testing methods. It measures the internal relative humidity of a concrete slab (40 percent of the slab's thickness) at the apex of the concrete's drying curve. By taking...

2007 Underlayment, subfloor and surface prep manufacturers.
September 1, 2007... Amorim Industrial Solutions 26112 110th St., P.O. Box 25, Trevor, WI 53179 (800) 255-2675; (262) 862-2311 Fax: (262) 862-2500 llyons@amorimsolutions.com www.acousticorkusa.com Sales/Mktg. Mgr.: Larry Lyons,; Anna Nell, E....

Floor covering removal.
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Flooring removal and surface preparation is one of the fastest growing areas of the flooring industry. With the rise in new construction quality standards, the renovation industry has been forced to modify their...

Less down time, better results: solutions to many substrate challenges.
September 1, 2007... There are a host of "standard" procedures on how to prepare substrates to accept finished floor surfaces. In a perfect world, these procedures could be applied to every installation, and subfloor issues would be easy to identify and resolve,...

Leveling compounds for flooring applications.
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] As anyone who has ever laid resilient, wood, or ceramic tile flooring can attest, the flatness and smoothness of the substrate the flooring is applied to is critical for a successful flooring application. Uneven...

Patching: the unsung key to success.
September 1, 2007... Although surface prep does not receive a lot of attention, it can make the job. I have often heard that the best floor covering can not compensate for inferior substrate prep. There are a variety of patching products on the market that help...

Floor prep for commercial resilient: some do's and don'ts.(Resilient: Let's Talk Resilient)
September 1, 2007... Having spent the first 15 years of my career mostly on the residential side of the business and the last 14 on the commercial side, I have often marveled at how different the two sides can be. As chairman of the Flooring Contractors Association...

Four different blade sizes with TURBO's Master TURBO Groover.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 360 TURBO Heat Welding Tools TURBO'S MASTER TURBO GROOVER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TURBO Heat Welding Tools says that their Master TURBO Groover is THE ONLY GROOVER IN THE WORLD that can groove all the way to the wall, groove...

Pro-Line by Bonded[R] revolutionizes epoxy!(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 357 Bonded Materials BONDED MATERIALS' PRO-LINE POXY [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Pro-Line Poxy is a 100% solids epoxy blend. This non-staining formula is designed for easy application and in addition to producing an impermeable, high...

Turbo's Super TURBO Nozzle packed with pre-heating jets.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 360 TURBO Heat Welding Tools TURBO'S SUPER TURBO NOZZLE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] TURBO Heat Welding Tools' Super TURBO Nozzle welds approximately 10' per minute, three times faster than conventional speed tips, the company says....

Arrowhead Carpet Gripper combines best of technologies.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 356 Arrowhead Carpet Gripper ARROWHEAD CARPET GRIPPER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] This Gripper is produced on the newest American-made "one-shot" equipment utilizing genuine Japanese-made zinc-chromate coated nails for maximum rust...

Doing heat welding has never been easier.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 358 TURBO Heat Welding Tools TURBO'S AUTOMATIC CADDY [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Our automatic TURBO Caddy welds approximately 10- to 14-ft. per minute giving strong welds every time. It welds Linoleum/ Marmoleum products with no mess...

Fin Pan's EZ Backer meets industry, installer standards.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 355 Fin Pan, Inc. EZ BACKER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] EZ Backer is a lightweight, water resistant insulated backer panel designed for wall tile applications. Made of high-density expanded polystyrene reinforced, on both sides, with a...

The EZ-Sand from Clarke American Sanders.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 354 Clarke American Sanders CLARKE AMERICAN SANDERS EZ-SAND [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed with steel, aluminum, and iron components, the EZ-Sand Orbital Sander from Clarke American Sanders features a compact, modular two-piece...

MoistureBloc eliminates flooring failure due to moisture in concrete.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 351 Vexcon MOISTUREBLOC [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Reduce moisture vapor to 3 lbs. or less with a single coat of MoistureBloc One Step. This product is easy to apply, has minimal odor and a low per-square-foot-cost. MoistureBloc One...

Single Disc Grind and Scrape presented by National Carpet.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 353 NCE NCE SINGLE DISC GRIND AND SCRAPE [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] National Carpet Equipment, Inc.'s Single Disc Grind and Scrape removes mastics, thin coatings, epoxies, urethanes, thinset, high spots and textures slippery floor...

Schluter's KERDI meets large-sized shower demand.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 368 Schluter-Systems SCHLUTER-SYSTEMS' KERDI-SHOWER-KIT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] New from Schluter-Systems is a prefabricated 72" x 72" sloped shower tray, KERDI-Shower-ST. Developed to meet the increased demands of today's larger...

New HighPro tool brings 'triple threat'.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 352 HighPro Tools HIGHPRO TOOLS' TRIPLE THREAT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed specifically for carpet flooring installers, HighPro Tools has unveiled the lightweight Triple Threat 3-in1 hammer tacker. The heavy-duty tool utilizes...

Sika Corp. launches resinous flooring product line.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 367 Sika Corp. SIKA CORP. RESINOUS FLOORING PRODUCTS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sika Corp.'s has introduced a new line of resinous flooring products that have been developed for a wide range of industrial and commercial applications,...

TEC adds to lightweight "green" mortar line.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 366 Specialty Construction Brands, Inc. TEC'S FULLLIGHT MORTAR [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Specialty Construction Brands has launched the TEC line of lightweight mortars: SturdiLight, FullLight and IsoLight. The new additions, which...

StainEraser unveils R-Teez Tile Grout Cleaner.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 363 Stain Eraser, Inc. R-TEEZ TILE GROUT CLEANER [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] R-Teez Tile Grout Cleaner from StainEraser, Inc. has been designed to remove surface stains from grout without using chemicals. The product works on sanded or...

GAF develops VersaShield to manage concrete moisture vapors.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 365 GAF Materials Corp. VERSASHIELD FLOORING UNDERLAYMENT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] VersaShield Flooring Underlayment from GAF Materials Corp. is a four-ply membrane designed to help installers manage the amount of moisture vapors...

Gemini's Revolution XT tile saw offers versatility.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 362 Gemini Saw Co. REVOLUTION XT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The Revolution XT tile saw from Gemini Saw Co. features a patented technology designed to deliver increased torque while running at a slower RPM, allowing for clean, precise...

Sakrete expands line with non-shrink grout.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 364 Sakrete SAKRETE NON-SHRINK CONSTRUCTION GROUT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The newly added Non-Shrink Construction Grout from Sakrete is a non-metallic hydraulic cement, specially formulated for high-strength grouting. Available in...

Ultimate Tool creates tool kit for 'ultimate' craftsmen.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 361 Ultimate Tool, Inc. ULTIMATE TOOL KIT [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Designed specifically for flooring installation craftsmen, the Ultimate Tool Kit features heavy-duty, welded tools constructed to the manufacturers specific...

ProKnee's Model 07 offers new features.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 350 ProKnee PROKNEE MODEL 07 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] After 17 years of expertise, combined with input from its customers, ProKnee has unveiled a new version of its kneepad. The Model 07 includes an anti-twist molded-in cuff that...

NobleSeal membranes protect in three ways.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 340 Noble Co. NOBLE CO. NOBLESEAL MEMBRANES [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Noble Co. offers NobleSeal sheet membranes to help protect ceramic and stone tile thin-set installations. Products are available for waterproofing (NobleSeal TS),...

AcoustiCORK 'green' underlayment suitable for all floors.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 349 Amorin Solutions AMORIN'S ACCUSTICORK [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Amorim's AcoustiCORK[TM] products have been designed to provide the thinnest profile, and the lowest total installed cost per sq. ft. in sound control underlayments...

Omega launches Siena installation product line.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 339 Omega Products International OMEGA'S SIENA TILE & STONE INSTALLATION PRODUCTS [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Omega Products International introduces its Siena Tile & Stone Installation Products line. With 36 grout colors available, the...

Dayton's new Sure Finish: exceptionally smooth results.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 348 Dayton Superior Corp. DAYTON SUPERIOR'S SURE FINISH [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sure Finish, new from Dayton Superior, is a polymer-modified feather finish packaged in 10- and 25-pound resealable pails. Sure Finish is designed to...

New Cleanup Solvent 22 removes gum and grease.(Products, Tools & Accessories)
September 1, 2007... 338 Titan Laboratories TITAN LABORATORIES' CLEANUP SOLVENT 22 [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Titan Laboratories debuts Cleanup Solvent 22. The clear liquid cleaning agent is formulated to remove adhesives, grease and black marks from...

Redesigned NAFCD site features expanded content.(Industry News)
September 1, 2007... The North American Association of Floor Covering Distributors (NAFCD) has launched a newly designed website, www.nafcd.org, that features an exclusive NAFCD Member Center (access to membership directory, NAFCD's newsletter Strategy and NAFCD's...

Ray Thompson latest to join INSTALL program.(Industry News)
September 1, 2007... The INSTALL program has increased its membership roster with the addition of industry veteran Ray Thompson and his Ray Thompson Floor Covering Institute, and manufacturers Bentley Prince Street, Nora Rubber Flooring and Dependable Flooring...

Better Tools makes its big move.(Industry News)
September 1, 2007... Better Tools has recently completed a service and growth driven move to its new headquarters in Centerville, Ohio. With the goal of staying in front of their customer service and warehousing needs, the expansion will more than double its office...

BonaKemi earns GEI certification with school IAQ program.(Industry News)
September 1, 2007... BonaKemi USA has recently been awarded GREENGUARD Children and Schools Certification for hardwood and hard surface floor care products by the industry-independent, non-profit GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GEI). According to BonaKemi,...

Warmly Yours rolls out 'Radiant Showroom'.(Industry News)
September 1, 2007... A new in-floor merchandising package from Warmly Yours has recently been made available to flooring retailers and design centers so customers can see and feel the product in action, the company says. The showroom package is designed to increase...

Andrew Aufiero remembered: August 24, 1954-July 29, 2007.(CFI Member Memorials)
September 1, 2007... CFI has lost another of our outstanding leaders; Andrew Aufiero lived CFI! He was a true flooring craftsman. He knew his trade and shared it gladly with others. Andrew was a little more than frustrated when installers would not do the work...

Doug Amundson remembered: April 6, 1947-July 3, 2007.(CFI Member Memorials)
September 1, 2007... CFI's beloved Doug Amundson lost his battle with a terrible illness on July 3, 2007 at the Brookings, SD hospital. The past years were difficult for Doug and his family and during the past few months, he had suffered even more. Douglas G....

MAPEI.(People on the Move)
September 1, 2007... MAPEI has tapped Jeff Leone as director of strategic marketing. Previously, he helped establish an automotive business for BASF/ Basel] in China, which included overseeing the creation of a production facility and setting up a technical and...

LATICRETE.(People on the Move)
September 1, 2007... Ken Duquette has been named LATICRETE's technical sales rep for north and central Florida. His primary focus will be on building and maintaining LATICRETE's sales and customer relations in the Orlando and Jacksonville regions.

The [H.sub.2]O factor.(Resilient: Namba's World)
September 1, 2007... Water is essential for life on earth (Photo 1), yet hurricanes and torrential rains cause flooding and destruction on a global scale. Seventy-five percent of the Earth's crust is covered with water. In the United States, flooding is the most...

Gripper Edge makes carpet tack strip for the professional carpet installer: Southern Cross.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] The company thoroughly tests and controls the quality of the product. Having invested thousands of dollars in the tack strip machines, Gripper Edge carries a complete line of tack strip for every type of...

Homasote 440 SoundBarrier[R] underlayment: Homasote Co.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Control floor noise and meet code with 440 SoundBarrier[R] from Homasote Co., America's Leading Green Building Products Manufacturer. This structural, insulating, effective sound control underlayment for all finish...

Regupol-QT Impact Sound Insulation touts versatility: Dodge-Regupol Inc.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Formulated from resilient recycled rubber, Impact Sound Insulation from Regupol-QT is engineered to provide better sound control, and can be used directly under a variety of floor surfaces, including ceramic tile....

Lam-Hammer introduces new installation tool: Lam-Hammer.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lam-Hammer introduces an installation tool for laminate or engineered floors. Retailers--thwart problems before they occur while reducing installation time by 25%! Provide your installers with the Lam-Hammer--it...

Dayton's new Sure Finish: exceptionally smooth results: Dayton Superior Corp.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Sure Finish, new from Dayton Superior, is a polymer-modified feather finish packaged in 10- and 25-pound resealable pails. Sure Finish is designed to provide an exceptionally smooth finish on a wide variety of...

Carpet Shims: discover the underlying difference: Carpet Shims.(Product & Literature on Display)
September 1, 2007... [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Carpet Shims are available in 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" x 8" x 32", and 1/4", 3/8", and 1/2" x 12" x 48". Add a Universal Side Shim to each end of the installed Carpet Shim to eliminate the drop off, which completes your...

The right tools equal project success.
September 1, 2007... Do you know what tools your installer must have to complete that important project? And it's not enough that you know; you need to make sure the installer has those tools available to him. Whether they're your in-house installers or your...