Floor Covering Installer - October 2015

7/21/2019 Floor Covering Installer - October 2015

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FLOOR COVERING

FCI October 2015 • $17.00

UNDERSTANDINGCRACK ISOLATION P. 30

UNDERLAYMENTS FORHARDWOOD, RESILIENT P. 38

INSTALLING IN-FLOORRADIANT HEAT P. 46

MITIGATING MOISTUREIN WOOD FLOORS P. 42

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FLOOR COVERING INSTALLERVolume 22, Issue 6 (ISSN: Print 1099-9647 and Digital 2328-6059) is pub-lished 7 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/ Apr, May/Jun, July/Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov/ Dec by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W.Big Beaver Rd., Suite 700, Troy, MI48084-3333 Telephone: (248) 362-3700, Fax: (248) 362-0317.No charge for subscriptions to qualifiedindividuals. Annual rate for subscrip-tions to nonqualified individuals in theU.S.A.: $123.00 USD. Annual rate forsubscriptions to nonqualified individualsin Canada: $160.00 USD (includes GST& postage); all other countries: $178.00(int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds.Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2015,by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights re-

served. The contents of this publicationmay not be reproduced in whole or inpart without the consent of the pub-lisher. The publisher is not responsiblefor product claims and representations.Canada Post: Publications Mail Agree-ment #40612608. GST account:131263923. Send returns (Canada) toIMEX Global Solutions, P.O. Box 25542,London, ON, N6C 6B2.Change of address: Send old addresslabel along with new address to FLOORCOVERING INSTALLER, P.O. Box 2146,Skokie, IL 60076.For single copies or back issues: contactAnn Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or [email protected].

On the cover: An installation

of Loxcreen’s ProVa Flex

uncoupling membrane for

ceramic and natural s tone tiles,which is designed to protect

against substrate cracks, stress

and dampness. Tile can be laid

immediately after the membrane

is installed, according to the

company.

30

38

30UNDERSTANDING CRACK

ISOLATIONManufacturers of tile-setting materials share their

perspective on the differences between crack

isolation, anti-fracture and uncoupling membranes.

Also discussed are application methods and why

using a membrane is not a substitute for movement/

expansion joints.

38UNDERLAYMENTS FOR

HARDWOOD, RESILIENTIndustry experts talk about the installation of

underlayment for hardwood, laminate and resilient

flooring. They go over the importance of subfloor

prep, tackling possible moisture concerns, thebenefits of sound control and other considerations.

42MITIGATING MOISTURE IN

WOOD FLOORSColumnist Roy Reichow explains how vital it is

to figure out a project’s moisture levels before

installing hardwood flooring, and ways to correct

imbalances in moisture so the flooring will not fail.

He also cautions on over-drying a floor.

6 EDITORIAL COMMENT

8 DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

12 PRODUCT FOCUS

14 MUST HAVE PRODUCTS

18 CTEF TILE TIP

20 INDUSTRY NEWS

34 AVOIDING CRACK ISOLATION FAILURES

36 SOUND CONTROL PRODUCTS GALLERY

46 INSTALLING IN-FLOOR RADIANT HEAT

50 AD INDEX/CLASSIFIED ADS

Departments

FCI

InstallerFLOOR COVERING

October 2015 • Vol. 22, No. 6

4 October 2015 I www.fcimag.com



Ready to go head-to-head with some of your most intimidating subflooring challenges?

Then now is the time to weigh in, grab some Schönox, and show us what you’ve got. Just submit before and

after pics of your toughest subfloor renovation job along with what Schönox products it took to whip that

subfloor back into shape, and you may win some great prizes. Winners to be announced at Surfaces 2016.

Visit hpsubfloors.com/worstsubfloor for all the details.

www.hpsubfloors.com HPS North America, Inc. is a TMT America Company

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BEFOREBadly damaged

ordinary gypsum

in a multi-family

housing situation

AFTERFloor primed with KH

Fix and Schönox APF

poured directly over

broken gypsum



B Y M I C H A E L C H M I E L E C K I , E D I T O RFROM THE EDITOR

The year 2015 has been one

of upheaval, changes and

evolution—for the industry

and also personally.

Industry-wide, there have

been big-name mergers,

big-time reorganizations

and questions about how to

stop a projected shortfall in qualified installersas the experts retire and not enough bright,

young, hungry installers are attracted to the

field to succeed them.

Personally, this year has also been a massive

upheaval because my father—a brilliant,

hardworking, generous and hilarious hardware

engineer with several patents to his name

that I would never be able to explain—passed

away at 68 after a three-year battle with a

rare and aggressive cancer. My wife and I

were basically living out of my parents’ (now

parent’s) house for the final week of his life,trying to usher him out of confusion and pain

and into a deserved peace. The finality of it

pretty much exploded everything I thought I

understood about my own life, but his strength

and willpower all the way to the end was also

deeply inspiring.

I say this not to garner sympathy or

to exclusively share personal stories in a

professional space. Just, it’s something that has

been on my mind constantly, and as a writer

doing his best to communicate the truth of

what’s going on out there, I couldn’t leave this

unannounced in the forum I use to chat with

you all each issue. It might also help explain why

this year of industry upheavals, changes and

evolution feels particularly significant to me.

Just to show you how absolutely surreal

this year has been, consider this. My dad

died a week after the close of the National

Wood Flooring Association’s 30th anniversary

celebration, which ran in late April untilMay 1. While industry professionals were

out networking, catching a Cardinals game

and learning about the newest hardwood

flooring products, I was listening to a hospice

nurse explaining which medicine to give my

dad at which time, and how to operate his

morphine pump. It’s a sense of dislocation

and detachment that really has no language to

explain it.

Because of the timing of everything, I

haven’t been on the road at all since mid-

April. It’s been good to have the time togrieve and reflect, but I also miss bumping

into everyone on the show floors. I never get

tired of the energy at these events. There’s

always something new to see, and plenty of

people willing to offer their perspectives and

experience even when the news isn’t rosy. Even

during tough times, the industry is resilient.

And so am I. nnFCI


Personal

Refectionson A Changing Industry

EDITORIAL STAFFGROUP PUBLISHER: Larry Bagan

[email protected]

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR,FLOORING GROUP: Matthew Spieler

[email protected]

EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Jon Namba

[email protected]

EDITOR: Michael Chmielecki

[email protected] EDITOR: Danielle Clair

[email protected]

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[email protected]

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SR. ART DIRECTOR: Rick Arvidson

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ONLINE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:Nikki Smith

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Keith Parry • (973) 248-6097 WESTERN ADVERTISING MANAGER :Janelle Minghine • (734) 340-5211CORPORATE REPRINT MANAGER:Jill DeVries • (248) 244-1726

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CONTENT DEPLOYMENT: Michelle HucalCREATIVE: Michael T. Powell

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BNP MEDIA II, L.L.C.BNP Media Helps People Succeed in

Business with Superior Information



CUSTOM OFFERS 40 COLORS

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CUSTOM continues to lead the grout industry by offering the best color lineup that combines existing popularfavorites with nine new nature-inspired colors added for 2015.

Designers have a new array of colors to choose from – all complementing today’s tile trends including woodplank, stone, reclaimed wood, and glass. The new colors are drawn from nature with inspiration from water,sand, and fog with muted gray, brown, green and blue tones.

Choose the right grout!CUSTOM empowers tile contractors and design professionals to choose the right grout type for the job.

All 40 colors are now available in all grout lines, including Fusion Pro. ®

CustomBuildingProducts.com | 800-272-8786FC0615B



DIRECTOR’S PERSPECTIVE

Summer was much too short and now fall is in the

air. So what does that mean for hardwood floors?

It means as installers and retailers we need to make

sure to educate our customers on maintaining proper

humidity levels in homes. Most areas of the United States

go through the four seasons, and that means during the

winter months heat is required to maintain a comfort

level. What that also means is if forced air heating is

utilized, there is a much drier environment. Inspections

of gapping (Photo 1), cracks (Photo 2), checking (Photo

3), cupping (Photo 4), bond line failure (delamination)

(Photo 5) and shear (Photo 6) start about two monthsafter the heaters get turned on.

Inspectors are typically busy from November to April

conducting inspections due to dry conditions. So what

can we as installers and retailers do? Let our customers

know they need to take responsibility in maintaining

their environment.

It’s our responsibility as professionals to educate

the end user in understanding the importance

of maintaining a constant environment that the

manufacturer and industry recommend. If you decide

not to, be prepared for the famous paper trail of sticky

notes (Photo 7)—or worse, monetary losses. Whether it’s a portable humidifier (Photo 8) or a

built-in humidistat system (Photo 9), both will help

introduce moisture into the air. If the homeowner/end

user decides on a portable system, make sure to discuss

placement of the humidifier. Some areas of the country

have hard/heavy minerals in their water, and if a

humidifier is placed directly on a wood floor or if the

mist falls directly onto the wood floor it may display

a white haze from the mineral residue. Distilled

water will not leave a residue like hard water. Portable

systems also require filling on a constant basis.

As an installer, you should be documenting

The Heat is On, or It Will Be Soon:Maintaining Humidity for Hardwood


B Y J O N N A M B A , E D I T O R I A L D I R E C T O R

Photo 1

Photo 2



carpet-rug.org P.O. Box 2048 Dalton Georgia 30722-2048 706.278.3176

CARPET INDUSTRY UPDATES LEADING INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Our companies are making an unprecedented array of the most innovative carpet products in history.

Designing, creating and marketing those floor coverings are just part of the process. High quality carpet

installation is critical to ensuring customers benefit from the advanced materials and manufacturing that

go into our products today.

That’s why a group of industry professionals recently updated the Carpet and Rug Institute’s 104/105

installation standards for commercial and residential carpet. They drew upon practical experience and

research and sought input from carpet manufacturers, retailers, installers, customers, testing laboratories

and other experts. The resulting updated standards emphasize planning and preparation—and deliver on

the industry’s commitment to ensure quality and customer satisfaction through proper carpet installation.

The Carpet and Rug Institute will periodically evaluate these guidelines to ensure they continue to serve

as the industry’s gold standard for carpet installation.

To view the updated 104/105 installation standards for commercial and residential carpet, visit

www.carpet-rug.org.

John R. Wells

President & CEO, Interface Americas, Inc.

Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum

Chairman & CEO, Mohawk Industries

David JollyPresident & CEO, J + J Flooring

Karel Vercruyssen

CEO, Beaulieu Group, LLC

Robert E. Shaw

Chairman & CEO, Engineered Floors

Daniel K. Frierson

Chairman & CEO, Dixie Group

Jack GanleyPresident, Mannington Commercial

Vance Bell

Chairman & CEO, Shaw Industries

Ralph Grogan

President & CEO, Bentley Mills

Philippe HamersGeneral Manager, Balta



ambient site conditions as well as

moisture content of the subfloor and

wood to protect your business. If you

read the installation guidelines from the

manufacturers or the National Wood

Flooring Association’s installation

guidelines, you’ll find there is a

temperature and relative humidity range

that should be constantly maintained.

One of the first questions an inspector

wil l ask is whether or not the instal ler

has documentation of site conditions

and moisture content of the subfloor and

wood flooring.

So as the sun sets on summer (Photo

10) and things get cooler outside,

remember to address the heat on the

inside. nnFCI


Photo 3

Photo 5

Photo 7

Photo 9

Photo 4

Photo 6

Photo 8

Photo 10



TEC®

: Fewer steps for moisture mitigation

Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, turned to TEC® to protect against moisture damage when the hospital was rebuilt after

a tornado struck. With a one-step, one-coat formula and no shot blasting required,* The LiquiDAM® from TEC® efficiently

protects the flooring from moisture.

Visit tecspecialty.com/moisture and enter offer code FCIad to learn how

to protect your floors from moisture damage and receive a free TEC® T-shirt.

©Copyright 2015 H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc.

TEC® and The LiquiDAM® are trademarks of H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc.

* No shot blasting required for clean, sound concrete.

Mercy Hospital Joplin, Joplin, MO



PRODUCT FOCUSFCI

CS Unitec’s Trelawny Long-Reach Scrapers feature one tool with multiple applications—chipper, scraper anddescaler. Standard scrapers are available in 2’, 4’ and 5’ lengths to efficiently remove residue, corrosion, adhesives,

floor tiles, plaster, mortar and more.

CS Unitec’s offers a series of “lite” models up to 6’ long that weigh less than 8.5 lbs., making them ideal foroverhead use. All long-reach scrapers can be converted to needle scalers by changing the scraper/chisel with a

needle attachment (P/N 415.3532). These air-powered long-reach scrapers consume only 4.5 CFM of air at 90 PSIand are safer for use in hazardous areas where pneumatic power is the norm.

Accessories include chisel blades in 1”, 2” and 4” widths. Spark-resistant aluminum bronze blades are available foruse in potentially hazardous environments.

For more information, visit www.csunitec.com.

12 Ocotber 2015 I www.fcimag.com

CS Unitec’s Long-Reach Scraper tools used to break up old tiles.

‘Lite’ models are up to 6 feetlong and weigh less than 8.5lbs., according to the company.

CS UNITECH LONG-REACH SCRAPER

ALSO INCLUDES CHIPPER AND DESCALER



LVT ADHESIVE DESIGNED

TO WITHSTAND ALL TYPES

OF TRAFFIC

Titebond 670 is an acrylic, water-resistant, resilient flooring adhesive designed for luxury/solid vinyl tile and rubber flooring.

Applied using either a nap roller or trowel, it can be used with both the wet lay and pressure sensitive installation method.

It provides a strong, durable bond in a variety of high traffic residential and commercial areas.



Tec Adds In-Floor Heat to Line UpTec Skill Set has added a UL-

approved floor warming system toits product line of tile installationmaterials. With its infrared radiantheat technology, the product allowstile contractors to efficiently install aheating system with uniform warmthunderneath tile and stone floorswith the assistance of a l icensedelectrician.tecskillset.com


FCI MUST HAVE PRODUCTS

Stauf PUK-455 for Wide-Width FloorsStauf’s new PUK-455 was developed specifically for theinstallation of solid wood planks without limitations on width,length or thickness, according to the company. PUK-455has a shear strength of over 680 psi, allowing it to stabilizeand help control common cupping problems associated withwide-width solid flooring.staufusa.com

Measure Tape Introduces eTape16Measure Tape’s eTape16 features a large, easy-to-read digital readoutthat is accurate to 1/16” or 1 millimeter, according to the company. Asimple push of a button allows one to read the measurement in inches,feet, fractions and decimals, as well as converting to metric. Anotherfeature allows the tape to switch between measurement of the bladelength alone and a measurement which adds the 3” width of the tapemeasure case to the readout.etape16.com

Loxcreen Updates Shower Base KitLoxcreen has updated its ProVa-Showerbase extension kit. According to thecompany, the kit was designed withperforated corners so an installer canbuild a shower base with or without cutsto accommodate many styles and baseshapes. The kit also aids in installationof large showers/saunas/steam showerswith a variety of size options when usingmultiple kits.loxcreen.com

Laticrete Offers BarrierFree Shower SystemLaticrete’s Hydro BanBarrier Free ShowerSystem provides a completewaterproof assembly forinstalling a barrier-freeshower. The adjustablegrate height also allows fora wide range of tile or stonethicknesses. Hydro BanLinear Drains and Hydro BanBonding Flange Drains canbe installed to form a gentleslope into the shower, or usethe Pre-Sloped Shower Panand Ramp combination.laticrete.com.



www.schluter.com | 800-472-4588Connect with us!

Schluter®-DITRA-HEATElectric floor warming system with integrated uncoupling

•

Heating and uncoupling in a single layer

•

No self-levelers required to encapsulate heating cables (no need to wait for curing)

•

Place the heating cables exactly where they are needed, without clips or fasteners

• Combines the flexibility of loose cable with the ease of installation of a mat system

•

120 V and 240 V options

•

Programmable and non-programmable thermostats available

Don’t need the heat?

Schluter®-DITRA Uncoupling membrane

for tiled floors

Faster, Thinner

Floor Warming



Coatings for Industry’s Pitch

Identification ToolCoatings for Industry is making itsself-branded Pitch Identification Toolavailable to customers who place anysize order. Additionally, this productis available for non-customers andprospective customers for $5.99. ThePitch Identification Tool uses ball bearing-type rollers to let the installer visuallydetermine where the substrate slopes.cficoatings.com


FCI MUST HAVE PRODUCTS

Whisper Mat CS from Protecto WrapProtecto Wrap’s Whisper Mat CS is a sound control and cracksuppression membrane for ceramic and natural stone tile. Thepeel-and-stick membrane reduces impact and airborne soundtransmissions, while isolating finished flooring from subfloor cracksup to 3/8”. The product is made of a crosslinked polyolefin foamsheet combined with an aggressive rubberized adhesive and a

polyester mesh fabric.protectowrap.com

DriTac Golden Bullet OffersSound ControlDriTac’s 4141 (The GoldenBullet) single-componentadhesive is a urethane-basedproduct that offers sound andmoisture control for woodflooring. The Golden Bullet canadhere engineered plank, solidwood plank and bamboo flooringwithout restriction on width,length or thickness, accordingto the company. It also meets orexceeds all IIC and STC buildingcode requirements for soundreduction.dritac.com

Bostik Ultra-Set SingleStep2 WithAxios TechBostik’s Ultra-Set SingleStep2featuring Axios Tri-Linking polymertechnology combines a high-strengthadhesive, moisture barrier and soundabatement underlayment in oneformulation. It also contains ThicknessControl Spacer Technology, aproprietary feature ensuring the idealmembrane thickness between thesubstrate and hardwood flooring, thecompany said.bostik-us.com

WarmlyYours Launches Accessory, Rough-in KitsThe Installation Accessory Kits include all of the tools necessary to

install a TempZone floor-heating system and tile. They come in fourdifferent kits—Basic, Silver, Gold and Platinum—to suit variousinstallation needs. The Electrical Rough-in Kits, available with andwithout conduit, include all the parts needed to install a thermostat.warmlyyours.com



To learn more:

800-356-7887 •

[email protected]

MOISTURE MITIGATED.PROTECT YOUR FLOOR COVERINGS.

Let a Maxxon System lay the ground work to ensure seamless floor covering installation and protection.

• Ideal for new construction and renovations

• Reduces moisture vapor emission rates of up to 25 lbs to 3 lbs or less

• Ready to be capped with a high strength Maxxon Underlayment the very next day

• One system warranty when topped with a Maxxon Underlayment

© 2015 Maxxon® Corporation, all rights reserved.



The topic of spot bonding floor tile was covered in CTEF Tile Tipabout a year ago, and one would think the installers that utilize thistechnique would heed the warning and stop installing tile in this

way. Unfortunately, that has not happened.This problem continues to be high on the list of questions received

by the CTEF offices when things go wrong. Too many installerscontinue to spot bond their floor tile by placing a dollop of mortar(about the size of a golf ball) on each corner with one in the middleof the back of the tile. This process, commonly known as “fivespotting,” fails almost every time because the majority of the tile isnot supported or bonded by the mortar (see attached photo).

The TCNA Handbook method W260 illustrates the installationmethod for spot bonding ceramic tile on walls only, using a particular

epoxy setting material which is recommended by the manufacturerfor this specialized purpose. This detail is very specific and clearly isrecommended for interior use on a wood or steel stud wall over cementbacker board. It further states these limitations: It will not withstandimpact and the maximum stud spacing is 16” on center.

The reason installers use this “shortcut” to install floor ti le, especiallylarge format, is that it virtually eliminates lippage. With the mortarconcentrated in these five areas, the installer can easily push downon the mortar spot and get it to flatten out with the adjacent tiles.Continuing to push down on the other three corners usual ly yields alippage-free installation. Life is good, right? Wrong!

This mistake creates a number of problems which many times willbe cause for a callback and/or potential failure. The number-oneproblem caused here is the lack of support of the tile. Any point

load, including a woman’s high heel, will cause the tile to crack. Thesecond problem occurs when a hollow sound is detected in the area

which has no mortar underneath—which is not acceptable. Anotherproblem occurs when moisture collects in these hollow areas causingthe grout to remain dark until the water has completely evaporated.If the tile is a natural stone, the moisture could permanently discolorthe stone, not to mention the grout.

In order to save yourself a lot of time, trouble and possibly financial loss,use the industry recommended method to spread your mortar. Properlykey in your mortar to the substrate, comb it in one direction and place thetile into the mortar moving it in a back and forth motion perpendicularto the trowel ridges. This method should provide the necessary mortarcoverage while keeping problems away from your door and keeping the

money you have earned in your pocket—where it belongs!

TILE TIP

Spot Bonding Tile Problems,

Again and Again

• 30 years in floor heating & electronic controls

•

Thousands of installations• Above- and below-floor solutions, for new and retrofit

projects

• Thermostat options with programmable touchscreensand remote access

• 25-year warranty for WarmWire®, whether used withSunTouch or other manufacturers’ membranes

SunTouch.com

Rely on our experience and broad productselection to make your next floor heatinginstallation a success!

electric floor heating & snow melting

A Watts Water Technologies Company

Go with

the experts!Extensive product line

Feature-rich controls

Flexible installation




Find out more by going here!

Shouldn’t you specify the best performing and most cost effective systemto protect your finished floor installation?

Moisture Mitigation...

for up to 99.0% RelativeHumidity!!!

• Suppresses water vapor emission fromconcrete up to 99.0% RH

• Peel-&-Stick installation provides afully secured flooring system

• ‘Zero Telegraphing’ of seams

• For use under carpet, VCT, LVP, wood, ceramic

and many more types of flooring!

w w w . t r a x x c o r p . c o m


http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/floor-covering-installer-october-2015 20/5220 October 2015 I www.fcimag.com

NWFA Launches Partnership to

Benefit Military Veterans

Former U.S. Marine and combat veteran NickKimmel at the pitcher’s mound during the NWFA’s30th anniversary convention.

When former U.S. Marine and combat

veteran Nick Kimmel walked to thepitcher’s mound before the St. Louis

Cardinals baseball game on April 28 at

the start of the National Wood Flooring

Association’s 30th anniversary convention,

he represented the Gary Sinise

Foundation. He represented veterans

across the country. And, standing on two

prosthetic legs and having only his right

arm with which to toss the ceremonial

first pitch, he represented what is possible.

Gary Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E.

(Restoring Independence, SupportingEmpowerment) program builds smart

homes for veterans who have sacrificed

their health, many losing multiple limbs

during their military service. Gary Sinise,

the Oscar-nominated actor, attended

NWFA’s Wood Flooring Expo in St. Louis

to officially announce his foundation’s

partnership with the NWFA, giving a

stirring 15-minute speech to an overflow

crowd at the Kickoff General Session.

Eight NWFA member manufacturers

have committed to providing materials: American OEM, Mannington Wood

Floors, MAPEI, Mullican Flooring, Rust-

Oleum, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring,

Somerset Hardwood Flooring and WD

Flooring. Distributors and contractors in

the communities where homes are being

built will have opportunities to participate

as well, creating locally based support for

the home-building projects.

NWFA members will participate in

projects for up to 12 homes per year,

and will partner with manufacturers that

match the U.S.-based manufacturing

requirements of the R.I.S.E. program.

More information about the Gary

Sinise Foundation’s R.I.S.E. programis available at garysinisefoundation.

org. NWFA manufacturer members

interested in being involved should call

NWFA at (800) 422-4556.

Halex Joins Fuse Alliance as

Preferred Supplier

Fuse Alliance announced that Halex

Corp. has joined the Fuse Alliance

network as a Preferred Supplier. Based in

Southern California, Halex is a leadingmanufacturer of flooring installation

products including seam tape, flooring

nails, underlayment and moisture barriers.

Halex offers Fuse Alliance network

members brands such as VersaShield,

Orcon, Capitol, Roberts and Preferred

for products ranging from carpet seaming

tape to installation tools. Halex also has

two additional U.S. manufacturing and

distribution centers located in Calhoun,

Ga. and Bensalem, Pa.

WFCA Acquires CFI; New

Programs Announced

Scott Humphrey, World Floor Covering

Association (WFCA) CEO, recently

announced his organization has added

the International Certified Floorcovering

Installer Association (CFI) and provided

“the infusion of capital necessary to

continue and expand CFI’s installation

training and certification programs.”

Robert Varden, who was tapped to leadCFI after Jim Walker stepped down, will

take on the role of vice president of the

CFI Division, overseeing existing and

expanded certification training programs.

To accommodate this move, WFCA has

opened an office and training facility in

Lenexa, Kans., which will house staff

from both organizations including Tom

Jennings, WFCA’s vice president of

development.

In a related announcement, CFI has

opened a new 10,000 sq. ft. installation

training facility in Forney, Texas, about 21

miles east of Dallas. This new facility will

be able to accommodate workshops and

classes for all types and levels of installationtraining and certification. “The Dallas-area

location is projected to be the first leg of

a larger plan to bring CFI training and

certification to other markets across the

U.S.,” the WFCA stated.

To start, the school will be offering

R1C1 courses in carpet certification; one-

and two-week classes in every category

of hard surface; and an extensive course

on carpet installation that will turn

entry-level individuals into professional

residential carpet installers in just five weeks, CFI said.

The school will also offer new one-

week advanced commercial installation

workshops as well as classes on pattern

correction, woven carpet and specialty

products. In addition to the programs

offered through the school, CFI will also

continue with regional training programs

throughout the country.

Additionally, Varden said CFI will

enhance its recruitment efforts. “We

are tapping into targeted demographicgroups such as veterans and high school

vocational groups, who we feel would be

great candidates for this field.”

The CFI has announced it will be

holding its next convention Nov. 12-

14, in Dallas. This year’s event is set

to include “extensive daily installation

seminars and hands-on workshops taught

by leading industry professionals, as well

as numerous networking opportunities

with executives and colleagues across the

country,” the association noted. For moreinformation, visit cfiinstallers.org.

Wagner Meters Offers Updated

Webinar

Wagner Meters is offering the recently

updated online course, “Moisture

Testing of Concrete Floor Slabs.” This

training webinar is especially designed for

contractors and flooring installers, and is

presented by Howard Kanare, a leading

expert in concrete moisture issues.

FCI INDUSTRY NEWS



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Kanare, a former senior principal

scientist for the Portland Cement

Association’s Laboratory (CTLGroup),

shares breakthrough scientific dataregarding methods for moisture testing

of concrete slabs. The one-hour webinar

includes a live question-and-answer

session.

The updated, online course is now

being offered twice monthly. Early

registration is encouraged and can be

done online at www.wagnermeters.com/

webinar.

INSTALL Announces TexasExpansion

INSTALL, which said it has had Texas

marked as a strategic next step in its

expansion plan for years, recently held an

open house at the existing North Texas

Training Center at 1901 Susan Drive in

Arlington. Welcoming INSTALL staff

and instructors, contractors, installers and

manufacturer representatives, the event

celebrated the INSTALL curriculumbeing brought to the Texas location for

the first time.

“Texas is the most vibrant market in the

country and it’s booming with projects

and available workforce,” said John

McGrath, INSTALL executive director.

“We want to get those workers trained

and certified so they can deliver quality

commercial flooring installations to the

Texas market.”

Representatives from manufacturers

and mills including Ardex, ArmstrongFlooring, Gerflor, H.B. Fuller, HP

Schonox, Halex, Mohawk, nora, Shaw

and Tarkett/Johnsonite were in attendance

for the open house.

For more information, visit

installfloors.org.

Laticrete-Sponsored Joey Ternullo

Wins Race

Joey Ternullo wins the Legend Car race atWaterford earlier this year.

Laticrete announced that Joey Ternullo

won the Legend Car race at Waterford

Speedbowl’s earlier this year.Ternullo is the son of Middletown

Ceramic Tile Co.’s Joe Ternullo.

Middletown Ceramic Tile Company

has been using Laticrete materials and

methods for over 50 years.

Laticrete has sponsored Ternullo in

FCI INDUSTRY NEWS


www.nacproducts.com • 1 -800-633-4622

Waterproong and

sound control systemsfor bathrooms.



his Legend Car for the past few years. A

Legend Car is a five-eighths scale replica

of a pre-World War II coupe car and can

reach 80 miles per hour.

AccuTec Blades Acquires EPC

Industrial Blades Division

AccuTec Blades Inc. has announced

the acquisition of Edgewell Personal Care

Company’s (EPC) Industrial Blades divi-

sion. EPC announced in May 2015 its

intent to discontinue its industrial blade

operations in Verona, Virginia and Ob-

regon, Mexico.

EPC acquired the Industrial Bladesdivision in a deal with American Safety

Razor in 2011. EPC will be retaining

the Personna brand and will continue to

market wet shaving products under this

name, only divesting the Industrial Blades

business in this sale.

DMU Provides Focused Education

for Maximizing Sales and

Profitability

The 2015 Distribution ManagementUniversity (DMU) will be held in

conjunction with the NAFCD +

NBMDA Annual Convention, on

Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at

the Hilton Orlando.

The 2015 DMU is a unique

opportunity for general, sales, branch

and operations managers to expand

their industry knowledge and enhance

leadership skills. The 2015 DMU is

focused on the real world of the market

level manager. Sessions are designed tobe fast-paced, interactive and fun, and

provide real tools to grow profit and

market share.

Bob Langdon, author of Managing

Your Business for Profit , will lead the 2015

DMU. Since beginning his consulting

practice in 1983, Langdon has been

assisting business owners in achieving

their sales and financial goals.

In this program, Langdon will showattendees proven techniques to increasing

gross margin, cash flow and return on

investment, while retaining their best

customers. They will learn how to

calculate breakeven for their business

and how to prepare alternative financial

forecasts for their business.

For more information, visit

distributorconvention.org.

Keene Building Products’ GetsWebsite Makeover

Keene Building Products’ has revealed

the new and modern KeeneBuilding.com.

The site is fully responsive, faster, easier to

navigate and more user-friendly. There are

many highlights of the new site, including

www.fcimag.com I October 2015 23

FCI1015



the ability to visit any individual product

page in two clicks. Just select ‘Products’ at

the top to see a list of all the products in

the line.The site also offers customized pages

for architects, contractors and developers;

resources and education; a search box;

project profiles; Keene blogs The Quiet

Guy and The Dri Guy; and links to

Keene’s family of companies: Cansto

Coatings and Dependable.

Individual product pages include

photos, videos, downloadable files and

a quick way to reach Keene if there are

any questions or need for additional

information.

Custom Introduces Commercial

Installation Systems Guide

Custom Building Products recently

published the Custom Commercial

Installation Systems Guide, a resource

for architects, specifiers, designers

and contractors. The guide provides

guidance on how to confidently select

the right system of surface preparation,

setting, grouting and care productsfor tile projects across a variety of

applications including healthcare,

hospitality, commercial kitchens,

retail, transportation, entertainment,

commercial, intuitional, government and

public works.

The Custom Commercial Installation

Systems Guide features detailed

information on its products and systems

in the context of specific building types

or end-use applications, including typical

challenges like high point loads, extremesoil situations, fast track timelines,

how to qualify for Custom’s System

Warranties and common considerations

such as waterproofing, sound

attenuation, uneven subfloors, chemical

exposure, crack isolation, stain resistance,

color consistency, exterior conditions

and more.

All product recommendations—which

may include categories that are new to the

user—are based on ANSI standards, the

company noted.

Ardex Canada Project Receives

Top Honors

Various Ardex products were used on complex tileinstallations at this modern, private residence inVancouver, BC.

Ardex Canada received Project of

the Year and Best Technical Product

Application at the Terrazzo, Tile

and Marble Association of Canada’s

(TTMAC) 72nd Annual Convention

Hardsurface Awards Gala recently.

“Many people contributed to thisproject. This is a team victory and a

supreme honor,” said Don Brletic,

western regional manager, Ardex

Canada. “Metroworks Tile and Stone

used Ardex products purchased through

Fontile and Pacific Rim and the Ardex

Canada team supported every phase of

the installation.”

Principal Shawn Perepelytz of

Metroworks Tile and Stone used Ardex

X 77 Microtec Fiber Reinforced Tile

and Stone Mortar, Ardex AM 100 RapidSet Pre-Tile Smoothing and Ramping

Mortar, along with Ardex SX 100%

Silicone Sealant for Tile and Stone

Applications for the various complex

tile installations at a modern, private

residence in Vancouver, BC.

The TTMAC Hardsurface Awards

recognize and highlight terrazzo,

tile and natural stone installations

submitted by trade contractors, material

suppliers, architects, designers, specifiers

and builders.

Bissler, Reeve Earn FCICA’s CIM

Certification

FCICA has announced James Bissler

and Bruce Reeve are now credentialed as aCertified Installation Manager (CIM), the

only certification program for commercial

flooring installation managers.

Bissler and Reeve were both awarded

this designation for the successful

completion of all eight modules of

learning and related assessments with

the required passing score. The CIM

program is an online certification

program specifically developed for and

available to all who want to obtain

the knowledge necessary to become aCertified Installation Manager and learn

the important skills required of that

position, regardless of their affiliations.

To find out more, visit fcica.com/

training-program.

Bostik’s New Video Showcases Ed

Begley, Jr.’s Home

Ed Begley, Jr., features in Bostik’s new videohighlighting the actor’s LEED Platinum home.

Bostik has produced a new video

featuring well-known green activist andactor Ed Begley, Jr. In it, he speaks of

why Ultra-Set SingleStep2 was the ideal

wood flooring installation product for

his LEED Platinum home. This video

is easily seen by visiting: http://bit.ly/

Bostik-EdBegley.

Philadelphia Floor Store Launches

‘Lessons Learned’ Blog

Philadelphia Floor Store (PFS) recently

launched a new “Lessons Learned” blog


FCI INDUSTRY NEWS



series. The company developed the idea

for the series in the wake of a fire earlier

this year that completely destroyed their

main headquarters and distribution cen-ter. The goal is to help other small busi-

ness owners avoid insurance pitfalls and

be prepared should disaster strike.

After what the company has been

through these past few months, PFS feels

an obligation to educate contractors and

other small business owners and help

them avoid some of the common (and

not so common) pitfalls related to insur-

ance coverage and disaster recovery.

Continuing their mission to inform and

educate, the company will take a “deepdive” into insurance coverage as it relates

to small businesses and examine some of

the common mistakes business owners

make. Blog posts will focus on everything

from making sure business owners have

the proper insurance coverage, to how to

develop a disaster recovery plan.

Read the series at blog.phillyfloor.com/

posts/training-and-education/lessons-

learned.

Experts to Judge in the Schönox

Worst Subfloor in NA Contest

HPS Schönox has asked flooring

professionals to “Show us your worst

and how you made it your best” with

the opening of its second annual

Schönox Worst Subfloor in North

America Contest. A three-judge panel of

independent industry experts was recently

announced.Tom Jennings (World Floor Covering

Association) Dean Thompson (Resilient

Floor Covering Institute) and Robert

Varden (International Certified

Floorcovering Installers Association)

will judge contest entries in an impartial

manner that includes having all

identifying information removed from

the entry with only the photos and

project notes provided for their review. Judging will begin after December 11, the

deadline for contest submissions.

The judges will review photos

submitted by contest entrants showing

the before and after conditions of the

subfloor along with details of how the

project was executed. The contest entries

will be independently judged with first,

second, and third place winners based

on the severity of the original subfloor’s

condition, the skill and attention to detail

taken in executing the project, and thequality of the finished subfloor.

The contest runs through December 11

with winners to be announced at TISE

(The International Surface Event) in Las

Vegas in 2016. Entries can be submitted

at hpsubfloors.com/worstsubfloor.




Ceramic Tile and Stone

Consultants Update Website

Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants

(CTaSC) announced the launch of itsnew website at CtaSC.com. While the

website address is the same, the content,

features and resources have been

improved.

The updated CTaSC website features

an extensive menu of services including

forensic investigations, quality control,

testing, training, marketing and business

planning, and more.

In addition to its business services,

the website provides resources for

companies in the tile and stoneindustries as well as some for

consumers, including: Resource

Directory, Industry Statistics, Economic

Indicators and Forecasts, Industry

Research Reports, Expert Answers,

Training Services, and Events.

CRCII, LMCCA and PCRA Sign

Memorandum of Understanding

Three long-time professional associations

formalized an agreement recently that theorganization’s leaders say will lead to stronger

ties, shared resources and cross-membership.

The signing of the Memorandum of

Understanding means greater organizational

stability and growth for the Carpet & Rug

Cleaners Institute of Illinois (CRCII), the

Low Moisture Carpet Cleaning Association

(LMCCA) and the Professional Cleaning

and Restoration Alliance (PCRA), said

LMCCA president Lonnie McDonald.

The Memorandum of Understanding

includes, but is not limited to, theability to promote each other’s respective

associations and providing mutual

technical support. Notably, all members

of each association also become members

in all three associations.

The MOU goes into effect immediately.

MIA Accreditation Program

Reaches 100-Member Milestone

The Marble Institute of America (MIA)

accreditation program has reached the

milestone of 100 accredited locations

in North America. Sims-Lohman in

Zionsville, Ind., and Pittsburgh, Pa., werethe 99th and 100th member locations

to earn MIA Accreditation. Several

companies are nearing completion of the

accreditation process, meaning that MIA

will have over 100 accredited locations by

the end of 2015.

FCI INDUSTRY NEWS


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MIA Accreditation Commission Chair

Rodney Harvey looks forward to what

this milestone means for the program.

“The future of the MIA Accreditationprogram is very bright, as the number of

accredited companies in each category

(Natural Stone Fabricator, Commercial

“A” Contractor and Commercial “B”

Contractor) are expected to experience

continued growth to meet the needs of

the consumers, the construction market

and the design community.”

Steve Steinman, owner of Sims-

Lohman, said, “We view MIA as the

gold standard in the stone industry, so

it was important for us to earn MIA Accreditation.” Sims-Lohman also has

MIA Accredited locations in Cincinnati

and Columbus, Ohio.

Earning MIA Accreditation means a

company has gone through a rigorous

application process and is held to the

highest industry standard available.

MIA Accredited companies are reviewed

to ensure best business practices are in

place, tested on proper fabrication and

installation methods and inspected to

ensure safety, fabrication, and installationstandards are met. To learn more about the

MIA Accreditation program, and to see a

full list of MIA Accredited companies, visit

www.marble-institute.com/gettheseal.

NEW HIRES AND

PROMOTIONS

John Barrett

ISSA (the Worldwide Cleaning Industry

Association) has appointed John Barrett

as executive director. Barrett replaces John

Garfinkel, who will work in a consultative

capacity through 2016 to facilitate a

smooth transition. Barrett has served as an

ISSA board member for the past six years,

with the last three as an officer, serving

this year as treasurer.

Laticrete has promoted its nationalaccounts manager Ken Madison, adding

Daltile and Florida Tile to his existing

accounts of Lowes and Floor & Décor.

With this promotion, Madison will

continue to report to director of sales,

North America, Rob Smith and willmaintain responsibility for his existing

national accounts.




Eric Edelmayer

Eric Edelmayer has joined MAPEI

Americas as business development

manager for sheet membranes.

Edelmayer has been in the tile industry

for over 30 years, specializing in sheet

membranes for waterproofing, crack

isolation and sound reduction. Before joining MAPEI, Edelmayer was the

director of contractor services with

Noble Co.

James Ammer

UFloor Systems Inc. recently announced

that James Ammer joined the Wolff team

as a technical sales representative for the

southeastern U.S. Ammer’s experience in the

floor covering industry spans more than 15

years, with 10 of those years operating his

own company: Ammer Flooring.

UPCOMING EVENTS

FCICA Mid-Year Meeting – NewCastle, Del., Oct. 7-9. www.fcica.com

TISE East 2015– Orlando, Fla., Nov.

2-5. www.tiseeast.com

NAFCD/NBMDA Convention

– Orlando, Fla., Nov. 3-5. www.

distributorconvention.org

CFI 2015 Convention – Dallas, Nov.

12-14. www.cfiinstallers.org

For more industry events and training,

visit www.fcimag.com and click Calendar

of Events under the More tab.

FCI NEWS


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Platinum Sponsors:

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B Y M I C H A E L C H M I E L E C K I , E D I T O RCRACK ISOLATION

Most installation

professionals

understand what

crack isolation,

anti-fracture and

uncoupling membranes are for, but

confusion still reigns on what thedifferences are among the products.

Do crack isolation and anti-fracture

mean the same thing? Are uncoupling

membranes standardized? When

should partial coverage be chosen over

a full ins tallation? We asked a panel of

industry manufacturers to weigh in.

Defining the terms. According to

Eric Edelmayer, MAPEI’s business

development manager for sheet

membranes, the terms crack isolation

and anti-fracture membranes are often

used interchangeably, while uncoupling

membranes are a different category

altogether.

“With crack isolation or anti-fracture,

the ANSI standard would be 118.12,

with a defined amount of movement

required to pass the test. At the presenttime, there is no measurement for

uncoupling membranes other than the

minimum 50 psi shear strength in seven

days, as defined by the Tile Council of

North America (TCNA) Handbook.

However, the Material and Methods

Standards Association has formed a

committee to establish an ANSI standard

for uncoupling membranes.”

Jay Conrod, Laticrete product manager,

said the preferred industry term is crack

isolation. He also noted some subtle

differences in meaning between the terms.

“Crack isolation is when you’re trying to

isolate existing cracks from telegraphing

from the substrate into the tile. Anti-

fracture would be about preventing

existing and future cracks. Uncoupling

is when you’re trying to isolate stresses inthe substrate via a membrane that moves

independently of the floor surface.”

Custom Building Products’ Steve

Taylor, director of technical and

architectural marketing, explained the

different terms as well. “Anti-fracture

is sometimes considered an older term

that was used to indicate the membrane

would protect the tile from cracking if

CRACK ISOLATION, ANTI-FRACTUREAND UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES

Install ing Loxcreen’s ProVa Flex

uncoupling membrane.




there was movement in the substrate.Unfortunately, many incorrectly believe

these membranes should provide

protection from all actions—above as

well as below the tile.”

He added, “Many crack isolation

membranes have multiple functions. Not

only do they isolate the tile from cracks

below, they also waterproof the floor and

reduce sound transmission from impact

noises. Uncoupling is a separate class of

membrane. It does not have an ANSI

standard and is only defined by TCNA

as a geometric formed plastic membraneto provide an air space below the tile and

allow independent movement between

the tile assembly and the substrate.”

According to Michael Venturelli, QEP

divisional vice president, crack isolation

and anti-fracture are virtually synonymous.

“They both perform by adhering to the

slab; then the tile is set onto the crack

isolation or anti-fracture membrane. The

crack energy is absorbed by the product

and spread over a large area, preventing

telegraphing through the tile. In some

cases, the crack may transfer to the grout

joint. That is easily repairable.”

Regarding uncoupling membranes,

Venturelli noted, “Uncoupling, also

called a cleavage membrane, is a system

that is centuries old. This is where thefloor is completely isolated from the

substrate. Hence, any force or movement

on the subfloor is completely isolated

from the finished floor.”

Loxcreen’s Duane Farley, national sales

manager—Canada, and Wade Verble,

ceramic industry specialist—U.S., said

the term anti-fracture is usually associated

with older technology such as peel-and-

stick asphalt underlayments for use on

concrete. Some products are also hybrids.

“ProVa Flex is both an anti-fractureand an uncoupling membrane, and we

like to define it as a ‘lightweight’ tile

underlayment. It will not break apart and

will handle deflection within industry

standards. ProVa Mat is a waterproof

anti-fracture membrane that can be used

for crack isolation to deal with a small

number of cracks in a large area.”

They added crack isolation is ideal “for

large jobs which have some cracks but

not many, with the hope cracks don’t

occur anywhere else. It’s for dealing withexisting cracks.”

Going into greater detail about

uncoupling membranes, Alan Kin,

Texrite sales and technical, stated, “The

uncoupling method is a layered system

that tangentially hinges or has a moveable

bond, like a train-car connection.”

He noted that using a crack

isolation, anti-fracture or uncoupling

system does not in any way circumvent

the need for movement joints or

expansion joints. “Addressing minorcrack movement with a membrane

system will not also cover all building,

construction and movement joints.”

Application methods. Edelmayer

stated choosing a sheet, liquid or

trowelable membrane comes down to

the contractor’s preference. “However,

performance levels may differ from

product to product and manufacturer to

manufacturer, so it is important to always

check the ANSI standard for the required

performance level.”

An application of Custom Building Products’ RedGard Waterproofing and Crack

Prevention Membrane.




Conrod said choosing between the

methods comes down to several factors.

“It really depends on the application,the substrate, the type of tile or stone

to be used, and whether you also need

waterproofing. Sheet membranes

are preferred if you need a quicker

turnaround, such as in a mall or retail

setting where you want to get in and get

out really quickly. With trowel-applied

products you can see some labor savings

because you’re often applying anti-fracture

and a thin-set in one application.”

Taylor also said sheet membranes

are typically the fastest application.“Generally one must wait for a liquid-

applied membrane to dry and cure,

whereas you can begin setting ti le on

a sheet membrane immediately. Sheet-

applied products can have a pressure-

sensitive adhesive backing or be installed

with a separate adhesive or mortar.

Liquid-applied products can be applied

with a roller, sprayer or trowel.”

Patrick Giles, vice president of

technical and research & development

for Maxxon, said his company

recommends applications including

trowel-applied, sheet-applied and

uncoupling on its underlayments.“The TCNA has published installation

methods over gypsum concrete

(Method F180-12) and other substrates

(Method F185-12). Maxxon gypsum

underlayments should be completely

dry when using trowel-applied or peel-

and-stick sheet anti-fracture/waterproof

membranes. Uncoupling membranes

such as Schluter Ditra mat can go over a

slightly wet Maxxon underlayment.”

Venturelli believes the most secure

method is peel-and-stick sheets.“Homelux’s CIM Pro and Primer allows

up to 3/8” separation movement in the

substrate and prevents the crack from

telegraphing through to the tile.”

He added since liquid membranes are

“only waterproof—not vapor-proof—

this eliminates liquid membranes for

use in steam rooms. Liquid membranes

also need several coats and drying time

in-between. Liquid and trowel-applied

products generally will not handle

the same type of movement as a sheet

membrane would, as it is difficult to

predict in-plane movement.”

Farley and Verble said the installershould choose an application

system based on comfort level and

manufacturer recommendations. “The

installer should make sure the crack is

1/8” maximum in plane, as to industry

standards. ProVa Mat is a great choice

for crack isolation and must be 1.5 times

wider than the tile. For example, for a

24” tile the installer should cover the

crack with a 36” wide roll, making sure

the crack is centered in the roll.”

Tom Plaskota, Tec technica l supportmanager, stated trowel-applied products

sometimes have the advantage of

acting as the adhesive for the tile as

well. “Other products are al lowed to

cure prior to the tile instal lation or are

applied as sheet goods and then serve as

the substrate for the tile.”

According to Mark Pennine, Ardex tile

& stone installation systems technical

manager, uncoupling membranes can

also offer several additional features.

“Some uncoupling membranes can be

Rolling on Tec’s HydraFlex waterproofing crack isolation membrane.




used as vapor management and top-down

waterproofing when a seam tape is used.”

Kin said when working with large-format tiles, liquid- and trowel-applied

products remain the best option. “Liquid-

applied membranes have limitless path

width when working with large-format

tiles, with no concerns for overlap or

abutted sheet membrane requirements.

An installation contractor should be aware

of the proper coverage amounts or width

required for larger-format tile situations,

and recognize that one size/width

application does not fit all tile sizes.”

Partial vs. full coverage. Edelmayernoted choosing partial membrane coverage

versus a full-field approach depends on

the substrate itself. “Chasing individual

cracks is very common in older pours or

renovation work, where the substrate has

already cracked and additional cracking

is less likely. In new construction where

the concrete may not have cracked yet

or radiant heat is involved, a full-field

approach is definitely the way to go. Same

for those crack isolation membranes that

are used for waterproofing.”

Taylor believes full coverage is the

best option, even in older slabs. “Full

coverage will protect the tile and groutfrom any new cracks that may form in

the substrate. Older slabs may be stable

and only require a partial install, but this

is not necessarily true and we suggest full

coverage in nearly all cases.”

Venturelli suggests when the subfloor

is new, using an uncoupling mat for a

full install is ideal. “However, if money

is an issue, I would suggest using an anti-

fracture membrane.”

Plaskota said whenever possible, covering

the full installation area is the best optionas it not only isolates visible cracks but

prevents future cracking and movement.

“In addition, using the membrane over

the entire installation area and combining

it with compatible products from

the same manufacturer may improve

the installation’s overall strength. For

example, Tec membranes are formulated

specifically to receive Tec bonding mortars.

When they are used with other Tec

mortars and grouts, they are eligible for a

comprehensive limited warranty.”

According to Pennine, when choosing

a partial install to isolate a crack,

“materials must be applied a minimum ofthree times the width of the tile or stone

being installed over the crack.”

Kin thinks it’s best to go with a full

installation whenever possible, partly

to help protect the contractor against

possible claims. “A homebuilder may

submit a claim for in-plane fractured/

cracked tile. From practical experience,

upon investigation or removal of the tile

and mortar typically no membrane or an

insufficient width of membrane will be

present underneath the tile.”He added that the option of a full

coverage membrane should always be

discussed with the customer before

installation. “With the cost of construction

being scrutinized, building owners and

homeowners often comment about why

they were not given the choice of full

coverage membranes after experiencing

failures or repairs. It is key that the

installation/bidding group have better

contact with the customer and allow them

the choice of full coverage.” nnFCI

Installing a membrane improperly—or neglecting to install one at all—can lead to cracks telegraphing

into the tile from the substrate. Photo courtesy of Alan Kin.




CRACK ISOLATION

Millions of square feet of

sheet-applied crack isolation

membrane are successfully

installed every year under natural

stone and ceramic tile. Yet there are an

increasing number of membrane failures

occurring. It is important to address this

problem because cheaply made products

are giving quality crack isolation

membranes an undeserved reputation.

Why is this happening? There

are a couple of factors that typicallycontribute to membrane failures,

including adhesion (or rather, a

lack of adhesion) and deterioration/

emulsification, or lack of primer

between the membrane and substrate.

Fabric separation. One of the main

reasons some sheet applied (peel and

stick) membranes fail is due to fabric

separation. Some laminated sheet

membranes have a low tensile strength

and separate from the elastomer (rubber/

asphalt) base. You can easily check this

by trying to separate the fabric from the

rubber, if it separates, do not use it; it can

be very expensive to repair.

Professional-grade sheet membranes

generally use the extrusion method of

manufacturing. This process creates a

semi-encapsulating, high-strength bond

between the fabric and elastomer. The

fabric material can range from natural

to higher-performing synthetics. One

system utilizes non-woven polyester fabric

laminated to both sides of the membrane.Either way, make sure the fabric layer does

not separate from the membrane.

Primer failure. Some membrane

systems use water-based latex primers

that can re-emulsify. Adhesion with

the substrate is then compromised—

especially if there is water vapor present

from the concrete floor. This causes the

adhesion to break down and a possible

failure of the finished floor.

Membrane primers are essential and

developed to a high strength, non-

emulsifying formulation. The primer

should be formulated to rapidly cure

in place and provide a surface that

permanently bonds with the adhesive base

of the membrane. Once applied to the

substrate, the primer cures in approximately

20-30 minutes and forms a permanent

bond to the floor with applied pressure.

Following are some considerations

when choosing a crack isolation

membrane.

1. Demand Performance Data. Long-

term installation success depends on the

ability of the crack isolation membrane

system to meet all 10 of the A118.12

standard’s tests for crack isolation

membranes. The two most critical are

shear strength after accelerated aging

and long-term water emersion. Poor

performance or failure of these two tests

Avoiding Crack Isolation Failures

Above: A sheet membrane with low tensile strength

can cause fabric separation.


B Y T O M D U V É



indicates the membrane will not provide the adhesion necessary

for a natural stone or other hard surface flooring installation.

Insist on seeing results from all 10 performance tests.

2. Follow Installation Instructions. A successful installation

begins by reading and following the installation instructions

developed by the manufacturer. There are important variationsbetween installation procedures that can lead to fai lure if not

properly handled. For a porous substrate or when a patching

or leveling compound is used, some manufacturers call for an

additional treatment of the slab before the primer is applied.

These products can be very absorptive and may need to be

sealed before applying the membrane’s primer. Existing cracks

or control joints may need to be addressed prior to primer

application as well.

3. Note Manufacturer Cautions and Conditions. A

crack isolation membrane may not be the answer for all types

of flooring situations. A substrate with vertical sheer or an

uneven floor may not benefit from the use of a crack isolationmembrane. It is important to know and understand the

suitable substrates for the membrane application. What product

limitations and expectations can be anticipated when using a

particular membrane?

4. Perform a Bond Test . A bond test may be the only way to

know if a membrane system will bond securely to a substrate.

A bond test is merely a small installation of membrane over

a surface in order to determine if sufficient bonding can be

achieved. It is performed by priming a small section of the

worst part of the floor and placing a 1’ x 1’ section of membrane

according to the membrane manufacturer’s instructions. After a

24-hour cure, check membrane adhesion to the substrate.Make a cut in the center of the sample with a knife and peel

it back. Transfer of the rubberized compound should be evident

and the membrane should be difficult to remove. If it is removed

easily without evidence of transfer, do not proceed with the

installation. Call the manufacturer for corrective action.

5. Use Quality Setting Materials. It is crucial that the proper

setting material be applied for successful hard surface flooring

installations. Large format tiles installed via the thin-bed

method require a medium-bed mortar meeting ANSI A118.4.

The use of a 1/2” by 1/2” U-notch or square-notched trowel is

usually recommended for applying the medium-bed mortar.

Most national brand medium-bed mortar companies use a largeraggregate in the matrix, which creates a stiffer, stronger mass

under the large-format tiles or stone.

DO NOT use a standard A118.4 latex mortar not designed

for large-format tiles, as they have a smaller aggregate and may

retain too much water contributing to the warpage and failure of

the tile. Some green marbles and absorbent clay tiles will require

special setting materials like an epoxy mortar or a rapid-set

mortar specifically designed for natural stone.

Crack isolation membrane systems serve an important purpose

and when installed correctly, can provide a lifetime of protection

for a flooring investment. Careful consideration of a membranesystem should be studied prior to installation, including the

performance data, the manufacturers’ recommendations for a

suitable substrate and condition of the substrate.

Reading and following the manufacturers’ installation

instruct ions, the performance of a bond test, and the use of

a quality setting material appropriate for the hard surface

flooring being installed should also be observed. Following

these guidelines can go a long way towards ensuring the

successful installation and long-lasting beauty of the hard

surface finished floor. ■■FCI

Top Left: Anatomy of a crack isolation membrane.

Bottom: A bond test may be t he best way to know if a membrane systemwill bond securely to the substrate.

Tom Duvé is founder of NAC Products Inc. For more information, visit www.nacproducts.com.




MAPEI Mapesonic 2for Tile, Stone, Wood

MAPEI’s Mapesonic 2 offers next-generationtechnology, combining sound reduction andcrack isolation in a thin, flexible, lightweight,load-bearing, fabric-reinforced peel-and-stickmembrane approved for ceramic tile, stoneand wood flooring. Mapesonic 2 is ideal forsound reduction in both residential and lightcommercial environments. The membrane alsohelps prevent movement up to 3/8” wide fromtransmitting through flooring assemblies.mapei.com


FCI SOUND CONTROL PRODUCTS GALLERY

Maxxon’s Acousi-Mat HP:Three Sound-Control ProductsMaxxon Corp. presents the Acousti-Mat HP series ofhigh-performance sound control mats: Acousti-Mat II HP,Enkasonic HP and Acousti-Mat 3 HP. Acousti-Mat II HPadds sound control without adding to the overall floorheight. Enkasonic HP requires only a 1 ½” topping yet addssignificant impact sound control. Acousti-Mat 3 HP provides“ultimate sound control without significantly increasing theoverall floor height,” the company noted.maxxoncorporation.com

Sound Seal CerazorbNow for Wood FlooringSound Seal presents CerazorbAcoustical Underlayment for woodflooring. The product is available for

floating and glue-down wood flooring,offering up to a 23 decibel decreasein a lightweight system. Cerazorbexhibits outstanding energy absorptionproperties according to the company,in addition to being non-toxic andrecyclable. Cerazorb also does notsupport microbial growth.soundseal.com

Stauf ULC-500 Level-Seal a Two-Part UrethaneULC-500 Level-Seal is a two component urethane levelingcompound capable of creating a moisture barrier of up to 18 lbs.CC or 97% RH. Once cured, installation can begin by applyingadhesive directly to the urethane sealer. ULC-500 must be spread toa minimal thickness of 1/32” but can be applied as thick as 5”. ULC-500 provides moisture mitigation and levels of STC/IIC that will meetmost sound transmission codes, according to the company.staufusa.com

Custom Building ProductsEasyMat for Tile/StoneA versatile mat underlaymentwhen setting tile and stone

over concrete, plywood, primedOSB or another acceptablesubfloor, EasyMat Tile & StoneUnderlayment from CustomBuilding Products is up to 25times lighter than 1/4” (6 mm)backerboard, cuts easily with autility knife, doesn’t require anynails or screws, and comes ina peel-and-stick version. It alsofeatures SoundGard Technologyto provide high and credibleimpact sound reduction.custombuildingproducts.com



Sound Suppression inTec Sheet MembraneH.B. Fuller Construction Products’ Tec CrackIsolation Sheet Membrane is a peel-and-stick underlayment that protects ceramictile, natural stone and other hard surfaceflooring from in-plane cracks and movementup to 3/8”. It also contributes to soundsuppression in commercial and residentialsettings. It can be used indoors over avariety of substrates and over most existingvinyl, tile and stone floors.tecspecialty.com


Roxul’s Safe’n’SoundMade Using Stone WoolRoxul Safe’n’Sound stone wool insulation is ideal for interior wall partitions,ceiling and floor applications where acoustic dampening is required. Stonewool is a combination of natural basalt rock and recycled slag, a byproduct ofsteelmaking. It reduces air flow and sound transmissions between rooms dueto its unique non-direction structure and dense content, according to Roxul.roxul.com

NAC Super SAM 125a Sound-Deadening Sheet

NAC Products’ Super SAM 125 hasachieved a 51 IIC and 54 STC on abare 6” concrete slab in a recentlyconducted laboratory test. The self-adhering, sound-deadening sheetmembrane can be used over 6” or 8”concrete slabs, with or without a soundrated ceiling assembly. Super SAM125 also provides up to 3/8” of crackisolation protection and can functionas waterproofing membrane whenused in conjunction with SubSeal liquidwaterproofing membrane.nacproducts.com

MP Global’s QuietWalk Includes Moisture ManagementMP Global Products’ QuietWalk underlayment, made primarilyfrom postindustrial/pre-consumer textiles diverted from landfill,is engineered to enhance performance of floating wood andlaminate floors. Filaments are randomly air-laid, creating acapillary effect to cushion the floor, absorb sound and helpfloating floors sound more like fastened wood. QuietWalk alsofeatures an exclusive moisture management system and adds0.50 R-value to the flooring system.quietwalk.com

W.F. Taylor’s Acous-TecDesigned for Floating Floors

W.F. Taylor’s Acous-Tec Sound ReducingLiquid Underlayment Patch and Leveler isdesigned for all floating floor systems (vinyltile/plank, laminate and wood) to reducesound transmission. Acous-Tec offersASTM E492/ASTM E-986-06 impact ratingup to 71 IIC, reducing the resistance totransmission of impact noise or structure-borne noise, and ASTM E90-04/E413-10sound transmission loss rating up to 67STC, reducing airborne sounds.wftaylor.com



B Y T E R R A D O N N E L L Y, A S S O C I A T E E D I T O RUNDERLAYMENTS

Flooring underlayments

for laminate, hardwood

and resilient flooring

are designed for many

things—including sound

absorption, stability, moisture protection

and extra comfort underfoot. Whetherrecycled rubber, cork, wood composite,

foam or sheet, these products are built

to withstand everyday stresses…as long

as they’re installed properly.

Subfloor prep. “Subfloor prep is

critical to any successful installation for

any underlayment and the major source

of failures. Inadequate prep results

in laitance [an accumulation of fine

particles on the surface of concrete] and

other bond-breakers, forming a barrier

between the underlayment and the

subfloor,” said Joe Host ler, Dependable

general manager. “In laymen’s terms,

if you don’t clean up the dirt, you

are going to stick to it instead of the

concrete underneath.”

According to Larry Scott, DriTac vice

president, field technical services, subfloorpreparation is key for all types of floor

coverings. “Proper subfloor conditions

center primarily on being clean, flat and

dry as commonly referenced by industry-

accepted standards. Proper subfloor

preparation is paramount and should be

among the preeminent objectives when

attempting to achieve a successful flooring

installation.”

David Ford, vice president of sales

and marketing, Stauf USA, echoed

those sentiments. “Subfloor prep is the

foundation of good installation. If you

have hollow spots or high spots in the

floor it could turn a great floor into a

less than appealing installation.”

Patrick Giles, vice president, technical

and R&D, Maxxon, also stressed

the importance of subfloor prep.“Components of floor prep are moisture

or relative humidity testing, and

determining floor smoothness, flatness

or levelness as well as whether floor patch

and sanding will be necessary. Also

important is determining the porosity

UNDERSTANDING UNDERLAYMENTSFOR HARDWOOD, LAMINATE, RESILIENT

An installer from ReSource New

Jersey used DriTac 6200 premium

pressure-sensitive flooring adhesive

over Healthier Choice’s Sound Solution

Underlayment to install engineered

hardwood flooring.




M a r y B i s h

o p *

F a m i l y F l

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Do you know someone who could use our assistance? Let them know there’s hope.

For information or to make a donation, please call 714.634.0302 or visit FCIF.org.

*The FCIF treats all of its grant recipients confidentially. Mary wanted to share her story with the public but asked that we keep their identity veiled. Her name has been changed

Mary Bishop* was

devoted to her

family’s ooring

business. When a

Christmas Eve seizure

led to the discovery

of a grade III brain

tumor, Mary suddenly had to focus on an

intense treatment plan which included

radiation, and chemotherapy.

Good thing someone told

her about the Floor

Covering Industry

Foundation



of the subfloor, whether a primer/sealer

is required and choosing the proper

adhesive depending on your findings.”

Bas Vangenderen, managing director,

InstaFloor NA, said even small

imperfections in an improperly prepped

subfloor can spell trouble. “These

small imperfections can cause echochambers to form below the hardwood

unless the underlay adheres to the base

of the board. Non-adhesive underlays

with irregular subfloors fall away from

the base of the board in the subfloor

depression areas and footstep noise is

reflected back into the room.”

Moisture concerns. Determining

the amount of moisture in a subfloor

is critical. Improper installation can

lead to many problems in the substrate

and in the flooring, such as cracking,

creaking and unwanted panel shifting.

Moisture testing is an essential

part of prep, noted Brad Miller, vice

president of product management and

development, QEP. “A moisture test is

always recommended on the subfloor

before installing any type of flooring.

Flooring should never be installed oversubfloors with a moisture level that

exceeds the recommended level as stated

by the flooring manufacturer.”

Testing the moisture levels can never

be skipped when installing hardwood

flooring, Ford explained. “Moisture

vapor testing is an absolute must.

The slab has to be tested for vapor

emission—no slacking in this area.

It’s as important as using a trowel for

spreading. Don’t assume a slab is dry

just because it looks dry.”

Hostler stated the nature of hardwood

flooring to expand and contract in

all directions makes moisture control

underneath hardwood critical. “For slab

installations, we recommend contractors

follow ASTM 3010. This requires a permrating of .10 or less which will ensure that

the hardwood can handle the moisture

emissions coming from the subfloor.”

When in doubt, consult the

manufacturer. “Subfloor moisture control

requirements are typically determined

by manufacturer recommendations and

subsequent moisture testing conducted

prior to the floor covering installation,”

said Scott. “There are several types of

moisture mitigation products available

on the market. Make sure to first checkthe manufacturer specifications before

installing any kind of floor type, and that

includes underlayments.”

Vangenderen noted that a vapor retardant

or Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) is

required below hardwood floors where

there is any concern regarding moisture.

“When in doubt use a DPM. This does not

have to be part of the underlay, but could

be a separate 6 or 12 mil polyethylene sheet

or Visqueen. The underlay can then be

laid on top of the DPM and the hardwoodinstalled on the underlay. This is a highly

effective moisture barrier system that is

simple and cost-effective to install.”

Sound control. “Acoustic performance

of a flooring system greatly improves

the perception of quality and comfort

of occupants and neighbors,” stated Eric

Kurtz, hardwood installation systems

market manager, Bostik. “While acoustic

underlayments are available for use

under floated floors to reduce sound

transmission between floors, the soundof footsteps on the floating flooring is

typically much louder than footsteps on

glue-down flooring applications.”

Jack Boesch, MP Global Products

director of marketing, said sound control

underlayment is most often installed in

multi-family properties. “If you’re in a

single family home you’re not as worried

about the transfer of sound.”

In sound control situations, wood

underlayments are typically floated over

or glued to the top floor, noted Dale Asp,

A subfloor needs to be clean, flat and dry in order for underlayment or flooring to be

installed. Often, as in this picture courtesy of Keene Building Products, the subfloor

will need a lot of prep.




national business development manager,

Impacta. “Rarely will it be acceptable

to nail. There are underlaymentoptions that offer a sleeper system

that will allow you to nail 3/4” solids

without compromising installation. It

is important to note that by using this

method you won’t penetrate the actual

acoustical product; therefore you won’t

compromise the acoustic value.”

He added, “There are some acoustical

underlayments offered on the market

that are designed to both correct

subfloor imperfections as well as offer

sound control. Like anything else, anyimperfections being dealt with must be

within reason for these solutions to be

applicable.”

Giles prefers a specific sound control

product installation when working

with LVT. “LVT applied directly over a

sound mat is temporary sound control

if the underlayment itself is not floating

over a sound mat. If you remove and

replace it with a different floor finish,

the sound control may change for the

worse. LVT installed directly over sound

mats have trouble at the lower end of the

frequency spectrum, which can generate

footfall complaints.”He added, “It is my opinion and

significant experience that permanent

sound mats be installed under a

pumpable underlayment, which, with the

appropriate mat, would meet or exceed

footfall code before the finished floor

coverings, as this a llows floor finishes to

be changed and replaced over the years

without sacrificing sound control.”

Other considerations. Operations

manager of Builders Granite & Tile

in Houston, Andres Lopez, says anessential part of the installation process

is getting it right the first time. “We

as installers have to be cautious. We

have to make sure we’re using proper

adhesives so the flooring is able to

function properly. The only downside

I see with LVT is when it comes to the

repairs—planking tends to suf fer a bit

more through the construction process.”

Resilient flooring is also susceptible

to telegraphing, said Bob Cummings,

Pak-Lite sales and marketing manager.

“Telegraphing is where objects below

the floor visually show through to the

top of the vinyl flooring over time. Itscause can be traced to cracks and minor

protrusions in the subfloor or variations

in height of the subfloor.”

Vangenderen noted floor prep for

resilient is much more demanding

because of this reason. “Resilient

floorcoverings tend to telegraph any

subfloor imperfections, which become

visible and unsightly when looking down

at the floor. Laminate and hardwood

are more forgiving of minor subfloor

imperfections, but major subfloorproblems will still need to be addressed

and rectified before installation.”

Miller emphasizing the importance

of choosing the right underlayment for

the job. “Picking the right underlayment

for your flooring and the type of

installation is essential to the success of

the project. Good surface preparation

and the right underlayment mean

beautiful floors can be enjoyed for

many years. The underlayment is just as

essential as the flooring itself.” nnFCI

Using InstaFloor’s InstaLay system under LVT.

Pak-Lite’s Selitbloc underlayment is designed for floating LVT and

is designed to meet the need for acoustic improvements while also

protecting the LVT from damage, according to the company.




Whether we’re

speaking

of topicallyapplied

moisture,

or moisture

intrusion from the side or beneath the

wood floor, moisture intrusion can be

tricky to mitigate correctly. In many

cases, production schedules often dictate

our timeline and how long we have to

mitigate moisture-related concerns. With

wood flooring being moisture-sensitive,

it is very important to understand a few

basic principles.Understanding properties of wood

flooring. It’s vitally important to

ensure proper mitigation techniques

are used to salvage a water-damaged

wood floor. In almost all cases, wood

flooring manufacturers produce their

product between 6-9% moisture content.

Therefore, it is necessary to ensure

moisture is balanced from above and

below the wood floor to keep the wood

stable. Elevated subfloor moisture content

will cause buckling, cupping, compression

and other problems to any wood floor.

Subfloor drying—plywood/OSB/

pine. Many mitigation professionals usescan-type moisture meters to take their

readings during the drying process. These

meters can be used to provide a snapshot

of moisture conditions throughout the

project; however they are not accurate

enough for a detailed look at the wood

flooring. These types of meters send a

signal approximately ¾” to 1” in depth,

providing an average moisture content

throughout the thickness of the material.

These types of meters work well for

the beginning drying process. Once themoisture content is 15% or below, it is

recommended to use an insulated pin-

type meter. This will provide gradient

moisture measurements and provide

different moisture levels, whether in the

hardwood flooring or the subfloor.

If moisture levels are elevated above

the dry standard within the project,

cupping of the wood floor is inevitable. It

is vitally important to ensure the subfloor

and flooring moisture levels is the same

as the dry standard within the rest of

the property before any remedial floor

restoration takes place.

There are a few concerns with dryingplywood, as some of the adhesives

used to adhere the plies together will

provide false negative readings. We must

understand the pin meter is a resistance-

type meter which measures the resistance

between the two pins to obtain a reading.

Many plywood adhesives have properties

which provide resistance and give us

inaccurate test results. In many cases the

moisture levels will record higher due to

the resistance properties of the adhesive.

This wouldn’t matter if it was aplywood subfloor or the plywood core

(back) of the engineered product. It

may require cutting a small section

of plywood out of the subfloor and

placing the pins between the adhesive

lines to obtain an accurate moisture

reading. This is essential to the success of

mitigating the wood floor properly.

B Y R O Y R E I C H O WINSPECTIONS

Mitigating Moisture in Wood Floors

Above: Tented drying does not

cause rapid evaporation, but it can

create face-checking of the flooring if

precautions aren’t taken.




Look for the

CLEARSELECT AWARD, presented to companies thatachieve an outstanding levelof brand preference.

www.clearseasresearch.com/clearselect



Drying systems. Many technicians

use drying mats to bring the wood

flooring moisture content down. This is

fine for the initial drying process of the wood floor; however, once the moisture

content gets down around 14% the mat

drying must cease. If it is required to

continue the drying process it would be

recommended to use a tenting system

until the dry standard has been obtained.

The reason for pulling the mats off

around 14% is to prevent fiber structural

damage.

In many cases when the mat drying is

left on after obtaining 14% (safe zone),

excessive shrinking will occur. Thisscenario could happen in an overnight

situation depending on fiber density and

porosity of the wood flooring. The mat

drying is so effective one could reach the

safe zone at 4 p.m. and be in the danger

zone by 6 a.m. from cell wall collapse.

The tech may not reach the jobsite until

after 8 a.m. when structural damage is

already done.

Tented drying. Tented drying is

simply controlling the air space between

the wood surface and the atmosphere.

This process is considerably much slower,

but does not cause rapid evaporation that

could lead to fiber/cell wall damage. The

greatest risk we have in tented drying is where the air supply duct enters the tent

and provides the driest location, which

may cause face checking on engineered

and/or solid wood floors. This area

should be rotated as the drying process is

taking place.

Concrete drying. Mitigating moisture

in a concrete subfloor was covered last

month in this magazine, so I’m not going

to get into specifics. I’ll just say whatever

requirements are given by the flooring

manufacturer/adhesive manufacturerregarding moisture control systems

need to be followed under moisture-

sensitive flooring like wood. If the

test results are not favorable for wood

flooring, the adhesive manufacturer

will suggest moisture control systems

to be used under the wood floor. It’s

vitally important to follow flooring

manufacturer’s specifications regarding

concrete and mitigate appropriately.

Flooring underlayment papers. Let’s

say we have a wood floor mechanically

fastened over a wood subfloor that has

experienced water damage. The first

thing we must identify is what type of

flooring underlayment paper was used

under the floor. The reason for this is

some underlayment papers have a perm

rating of .7 to 1, which will make it

virtually impossible to dry the subfloor

through this underlayment paper

(moisture retarder). Even though flooring

underlayment paper has been perforated

by mechanical fasteners, the water haspenetrated through the tears of the paper

onto the subfloor.

In many cases the wood floor is still

going to have to be refinished; therefore

the restoration professional can remove

one short plank next to the baseboard

to identify the underlayment paper. If

the underlayment paper is identified as a

low-perm rating product, it would require

the drying process to be done from above

and below the wood floor. In that case,

the drying of the plywood would be frombeneath the floor and the wood floor

drying would be from the top side.

Timing is important here because

of the potential mold growth that

could happen in a matter of a few days

if moisture levels exceed 15% for an

extended period of time. Depending on

the starting point of the water damage,

i.e. 35%, there may not be enough time

to dry the wood floor below the threat

of mold. Therefore, in some cases low-

perm rating underlayment papers mayrequire removal of the wood floor and

underlayment paper to dry the wood

subfloor before the restoration process.

Flooring restoration. Flooring

restoration typically means replacement

or repair of a few planks up to several

hundred square feet. Before this process

begins we must understand a few simple

rules between mitigation services and

flooring professionals. In many cases the

mitigation team will say the floor is dry

at 12% when the dry standard within the

When using a drying mat to bringwood flooring moisture content down,take care not to use the mat past 14%moisture content. Otherwise, you mayend up with structural damage of thefloor.




home may be 8% and flooring restoration

work cannot begin until the dry standard

has been obtained. Sometimes when we’re

looking at a 4% difference this may mean

one to two months of additional drying

on its own prior to any flooring restoration

work. If the wood floor restoration is

rushed before obtaining the dry standardmoisture content, the flooring, which is

most likely cupped at the time of remedial

work, will experience crowning within

months thereafter.

This phenomenon happens when we

don’t obtain moisture balance throughout

the thickness of the flooring and subfloor

to reach the dry standard of the non-

concerned area. The delay from the time

moisture mitigation began to reaching

the dry standard may be outside the

timeline of the project. Therefore in

cases such as this, it may be required to

complete removal of the wood floor and

dry the subfloor to the dry standard and

replace with new flooring. This processmay cost up to 65% more than just

waiting the additional time for the floor

to properly dry. This is the Catch-22

between the insured and the insurance

company and who picks up the tab for

the delay or additional costs.

Flooring restoration is not as simple

as one may think, as wood flooring can

only release moisture at a certain rate and

speed. Wood flooring may take several

months to reach a dry standard prior

to the refinishing process. Often when

damaged, cupped wood flooring is given

appropriate time to dry; it will most

likely be reasonably flat and sometimes

undetectable other than a few high edges.Once flooring reaches the baseline, it

takes two to three additional weeks to

stabilize the wood flooring from previous

tension and stress.

When it comes to mitigating wood

flooring there is one simple rule: Don’t

be in a hurry unless you want to do it

over again. nnFCI

Roy Reichow brings over 40 years of experience in the wood flooring industry as a wood floor contractor, consultant and educator. Roy is founderand principle of Reichow Parquet Flooring and National Wood Floor Consultants. He holds National Wood Flooring Association Certified Profes-sional certification in Wood Floor Installation, Sanding, Finishing, Sales Counselor, Inspector and Commercial Inspector. Roy also serves on theNational Wood Flooring Association’s Certified Professional Board of Directors and Marketing Committee.

Roy has authored articles published by the NWFA and the International Fraud Update, a publication of the International Association of InsuranceFraud Agencies. His wood flooring projects have been featured in American Woodworkers Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Mpls/St.Paul magazine.

Roy has led educational seminars for the NWFA, wood flooring distributors, contractors, and home builders, and has been a featuredspeaker at the MPLS Home & Garden Show.

Roy is a regional trainer for the NWFA and is an instructor for the Wood Floor Maintenance Technician (WFMT) course for IICRC. Healso conducts sales training for various wood floor retailers. You may contact him at [email protected].

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RADIANT HEATING

In-floor electrical radiant heat

installed under tile floors, floating

floors and glue-down hardwood is

a hot trend these days. It entered the

marketplace some years ago primarily

in high-end new construction and

renovations, where it has been a popularoption under tile, floating floors and

laminate in bathrooms, kitchens, family

rooms and mudrooms. Now in-floor

electric radiant heat is finding favor

as a perk in mid-tier and multi-family

housing as well as in light commercial,

hospitality and residential healthcare

facilities.

In-floor electric radiant heat systems

are very user friendly—no drafts, noisy

fans or blowers, and no moving parts.

Unlike hot air systems or hydronic

baseboard radiator systems, which heat

air and move the heated air around a

space, in-floor electric radiant heat warms

objects in the room, including people.

Because the systems deliver even,

gentle heat controlled at the local

level, end users often reap “comfortand cozy” benefits for three—or even

four—seasons of the year. In recent

years, new technologies for generating

and delivering the heat have enabled a

variety of affordable systems that feature

straightforward installation. In the past,

heat wires had to be laid in a mortar bed

with the finished floor installed on top

(and all the extra steps that required).

Now, however, there are products on

the market that either roll out or are

laid out over a subfloor or on top of

underlayment, with the finished floor

installed right after.

The systems feature just a few main

components: the heating elements (which

can be heating cables, heating mats

or mesh, or heating film); an in-floor

sensor which monitors the temperatureof the floor (and typically aims for a

setting a few degrees above the room

temperature); and a GFCI thermostat,

generally wall-mounted, that affords

local control.

Residential settings. The residential

target market for in-floor electric radiant

heat includes families with babies and

Installing In-Floor ElectricRadiant Heat

Above: Before installing any type of underlayment orin-floor electric radiant heating system, make sure the

subfloor is clean and free of any debris.


B Y J A C K B O E S C H



toddlers who play on the floor, older

homeowners and builders of adult

communities where residents would

appreciate the extra bit of warmth that

in-floor electric radiant heat can provide.

It can also be an easy sell for rooms in

the house that are at the far end of the

zone of the primary heating system.

The systems can also be used as gentle

heat for rooms otherwise unheated, such

as a three-season room, a finished but

unheated attic, or a finished but unheatedbasement.

Systems for tile floors are also available

that combine the electric radiant heat

elements with underlayment. The

underlayment may include an anti-

fracture membrane that isolates lateral

cracks up to 3/8” in a concrete subfloor

from telegraphing through to the tile or

grout above. This same type of system

can also be used with glue-down wood

floors. For wood-frame construction,

there are systems designed to be installedunder the subfloor, just wide enough

to fit between the joists supporting the

subfloor.

Commercial settings. In the

commercial sector, in-floor radiant heat is

an efficient way to provide supplemental

heating in offices and other workspaces

that, because of location in the building,

placement and configuration of windows

and other non-controllable factors,

could benefit from the ability to activate

added warmth to the space. It is also anexcellent way to provide additional heat

in offices built inside converted lofts,

former factories or other high-ceilinged

repurposed spaces. Tucked away under

the floor, out of sight and operating

silently, in-floor electric radiant heat is

quieter and safer than space heaters that

may hum and can tip over when set up

next to or under a desk.

Programmable thermostats can be

set to activate the electric radiant heat

individually in each office, enabling

Top Left: Rolling out MP Global Products’ QuietWalkunderlayment before a radiant heat install.

Center: When installing the underlayment, be sure tobutt the seams.

Bottom: The company’s QuietWarmth Radiant FloorHeating Film is rolled out.




highly customizable comfort at the start

of each work day. Both line voltage and

low voltage systems are available, with

power consumption measured by wattage

output per square foot. The standard

wattage density is 8–12 watts per square

foot, an expenditure that does not exceed

warranty requirements for most floating

floors.

Many systems are tested and UL

(Underwriters Laboratories) listed,

UL-Canada ETL or CSA (Canadian

Standards Association) listed. Typically,

they are easy to insta ll, requiring the

services of a licensed electrician only

for the final hookup of lead wires at

the junction box to the power and the

thermostat. Typically, the systems are

maintenance-free. Some are also certifiedto UL 1683 (requirements covering fixed

electric heating products for installation

under floor coverings and above a

subfloor, in accordance with NEC,

NFPA 70, Article 424, for use on system

voltages not exceeding 600V).

Types of products. Products that

feature mats or rollout film come in a

variety of sizes, making it easy to fit the

system to a room layout, especially those

with irregular spaces or spaces broken

up by interior walls and partitions.In the current crop of systems, some

manufacturers offer products that feature

elements that are very thin and don’t

detectably raise the level of the finished

floor.

While some systems feature cables

that cannot be modified, others are

engineered so the electric elements can

be cut, potentially enabling coverage of

a greater percentage of the floor surface

with minimal effort and minimal waste.

For example, some systems featureheating elements laid out in parallel on

the pad, which can be cut between the

parallel heating elements. This type of

system also affords the advantage that if

one section is damaged or compromised,

the rest of the elements continue to heat.

Layout and installation. While

products that provide even, gentle heat

are designed to be safe for finished

flooring, it is always a good idea to

check with the flooring manufacturer to

determine compatibility and warranty oftheir products before installing over floor

heat. Before starting any installation,

read the instructions that come with the

system. In addition, often manufacturers

have step-by step videos of how to install

their systems posted on their websites.

By UL requirement, electric radiant

heat must be kept a minimum of at

least 6” away from the outer edges of

permanent structures and fixtures,

including all walls; and in bathrooms 6”

away from tubs, water closets and other

Top Left: After the radiant heat system is inplace, create a channel for the wires to run fromthe system to the junction box.

Bottom: Recess the wires into the channel youmade and duct tape them securely.




bathroom fixtures. If the insta llation

includes a floor sensor to monitor the

temperature of the floor, be sure to install

it before starting to install the finished

flooring.

A typical installation of a rolloutsystem would pretty much proceed along

the lines of the steps below and may or

may not include underlayment designed

to enhance the overall performance of

the particular type of finished floor.

Underlayment well-matched to the type

of finished floor can improve acoustics in

the room, provide additional insulating

value and good compression resistance

that supports more comfortable walking.

It can also provide moisture management

that helps protect wood, engineered wood, laminate and luxury vinyl flooring

from moisture that can adversely affect

the finished floor. Under laminate,

underlayment designed for that flooring

can absorb the click sounds commonly

associated with the material and help the

finished floor sound more like real wood.

The following steps are what you

can expect to encounter when working

with an in-floor electric radiant heating

system. Always follow manufacturer

instructions for proper installation.

1. Clean the subfloor so it is free of any

debris and make sure the subfloorfasteners are secure and won’t protrude

above the surface of the subfloor.

The subfloor can be wood, concrete,

backer board, or OSB. If the subfloor

is concrete, it may be necessary to

lay down a vapor barrier and then

construct a second subfloor over it,

especially if the subfloor is at or below

grade.

2. Draw a sketch of the best layout of the

panels, including the locations of the

floor sensor, the thermostat and the junction box. Plan to position the panels

so that the factory-attached wires at the

ends of each are on the same side of the

room as the junction box.

3. If you are including underlayment

(fiber, cork, foam or rubber) in the floor

assembly, install it now over the entire

floor area, butting the seams.

4. Roll out the panels, mats or film

and fit them into the layout. Systems

that come in various lengths and

widths offer the advantage ofminimizing waste and/or cutting to fit.

5. Make a channel for the wires to run

from the mats or panels to the location

of the junction box.

6. Recess the wires and duct tape them

securely into place.

7. Run all the lead wires and the floor

sensor wire to the junction box.

8. If the system includes an in-floor

sensor, install it now.

9. Once the wires are at the junction box,

the electrician can test the floor circuitsand connect the wires.

10. As soon as the system is tested, the

installer can lay the floor.

An a ffordable supplemental heat

system easily installed under new

flooring, in-floor electric radiant heat

systems can be a profitable addition to

many flooring jobs. nnFCI

Once the system has been tested by anelectrician, install the flooring as usual.

Jack Boesch is the director of marketing at MP Global Products LLC, an innovator and market leader in the manufacture of Made-in-America in-

floor electric radiant heat systems for floating floors and tile floors. For more information, visit www.quietwalk.com or call (888) 379-9695.




CRI ................................................................................................ 9

(706) 278-3176 • www.carpet-rug.org

Custom Building Products ............................................................. 7

(800) 272-8786 • www.custombuildingproducts.com

CTEF ........................................................................................... 28

(864) 222-2131 • www.tilecareer.comFCIF ............................................................................................. 39

(714) 634.0302 • www.fcif.org

Franklin Int’l ................................................................................. 13

(800) 877-4583 • www.titebond.com

HPS North America .......................................................................5

(855) 391-2649 • www.hpsuboors.com

LATICRETE ................................................................................. 26

(800) 243-4788 • www.laticrete.com

Lignomat USA .............................................................................22

(800) 227-2105 • www.lignomat.com

Loba Wakol .................................................................................. 28

(800) 230-6456 • www.loba-wakol.com

MAPEI Corp. ............................................................................. 2,21

(800) 426-2734 • www.mapei.com

Maxxon ........................................................................................ 17(800) 356 -7887 • www.maxxoncorporation.com

NAC Products ..............................................................................22

(800) 633-4622 • www.nacproducts.com

Proknee ....................................................................................... 23

(800) 549 -5018 • www.proknee.com

QEP/Homelux.............................................................................. 27

(561) 994-5550 • www.homeluxusa.com

Schluter Systems ....................................................................... 15

(800) 472-4588 • www.schluter.com

STAUF ......................................................................................... 52

(866) 458 -3872 (GLUEUSA) • www.staufusacom

StonePeak ..................................................................................... 3

(312) 506-2800 • www.stonepeakceramics.com

Suntouch ..................................................................................... 18

(888) 432-8932 • www.suntouch.com

TEC Specialty, Div of HB Fuller Const. Products ........................ 11

(800) 552-6225 • www.tecspecialty.com

TISE 2016 .................................................................................... 51

(866) 860-1975 • www.TISEwest.com

Traxx ............................................................................................ 19

(888) 872-9926 • www.traxxcorp.com

Wagner Meters ..................................................................25,45,50

(800) 634-9961 • www.wagnermeters.com

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Floor Covering Installer - October 2015

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