Special Issue:

Transcription

Special Issue:

www.proinstallermagazine.com •
$6
Special Issue:
Flooring Issues/Solutions
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Table of Contents
Vol. 3 No. 3 June 2015
The Ergonomics of Kneeling, p. 36
Success with Large Format Tiles, p. 51
On the Cover:
Shown are some of the latest Case Studies featuring flooring problems
and solutions, and hottest topics as Quick Tips.
See special section beginning on page 8.
All photos courtesy of the companies
azine.com •
mentioned.
www.proinstallermag
Barrier-Free Tile Installations, p. 12
$6
Oversimplifying Moisture
Testing, p. 20
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Issue:
Speciales/S
olutions
Flooring Issu
Jeff Golden, Editor & Co-Publisher
Dan Lipman, Sales Manager & Co-Publisher
Arpi Nalbandian, Social Media Director & Associate Editor
John Helmuth, Art Director
Editorial Advisory Board:
Case Study: Mercy Hospital Joplin, p. 27
Features
8 Special Issue: Flooring
Issues/Solutions
We’re shining the spotlight on important topics for
flooring installers from industry manufacturers.
With detailed Case Studies featuring multiple images,
and helpful troubleshooting Quick Tips, we’re sure
you’ll want to keep this special issue on-hand for
reference while on the job. Everything you need to
know about timely topics – from grouts and sealants to
moisture meters to underlayments. It’s all here for you at
your fingertips!
Departments
6 Publishers’ Note
40 New Product Introductions
48 Ad Index
Floor Covering Installation Contractors Association (FCICA); INSTALL; International
Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI); National Wood Flooring Association
(NWFA); North American Laminate Floor Association; and World Floor Covering
Association (WFCA).
PROINSTALLER MAGAZINE Volume 3, Issue 3 (ISSN 2327-6312, Print) and (ISSN
2327-6320, Online) is published by JG Media Group LLC, 4607 Lakeview Canyon Rd.,
Ste. 560, Westlake Village, CA 91361. Telephone: (800) 785-5816, Fax: (805) 272-9729.
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4 PROINSTALLER MAGAZINE • www.proinstallermagazine.com
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New S600 Carpet Installation
Standard Receives ANSI Approval
he approval of the new S600 Carpet Installation Standard as an
American National Standards Institute (ANSI) Standard caps a
five-year effort by the entire industry to jointly develop a universal
standard and reference guide. The standard was developed under
the guidance of the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration
Certification (IICRC).
The new S600 Standard goes further than the current CRI Carpet
Installation Standard 2011. Here’s why… it’s a document for the professional
carpet installer; a reference for the installer for correct process of
installation; an industry guideline of proven, correct and successful
installation guidelines; and a baseline for carpet installation. It was felt the
lack of a universally accepted carpet installation standard by ANSI posed a
profound challenge to the industry.
The S600 standard establishes a common, industry-accepted framework
identifying universal procedural standards for professional carpet
installation in residential and commercial settings. S600 is not written to
teach installation procedures. Numerous installation organizations, both
union and non-union alike, will offer appropriate training.
ANSI S600 certification will be available to industry members to
become preferred vendors offering universally accepted installation
procedures for residential and commercial grade carpet; provide a clear
standard for future teaching and carpet installation certification; save
money by adopting universally accepted operational practices and business
approaches; and use the ANSI S600 Certified Mark on their products,
services and advertising.
A multi-stakeholder group of manufacturers, suppliers, inspectors,
installers, retailers and other industry participants, prepared the Standard
through a collaborative process that will provide the industry with a quality
control system to significantly reduce issues associated with installation.
“The S600 was a much-needed Standard achieved through a five-year
journey with countless hours of work. If not for the consensus body that
included all sectors of the f looring industry, this achievement would not
have been possible,” said Scott Humphrey, World Floor Covering Association
chief executive officer.
“In North America, ANSI standards are well-known, recognized, and
relied upon by most industries,” said Tom Jennings, chair of the S600
Consensus Body and vice president of member services, WFCA. “The S600
provides a universal reference guide for professional carpet installation
which will benefit people in all sectors and at all levels across our industry.”
The document includes 16 chapters: Areas of Responsibility; Administrative
Procedures; Safety & Health; Identification of Carpet Products; Equipment,
Tools & Materials; Estimating, Planning & Measuring; Substrates; Job
Conditions & Site Preparations; Floor Preparation; Limitations, Complexities,
Complications & Conflicts; Stretch-In Installations; Glue-Down Installations;
Specialty Installations; Patterned Carpet Installations; Woven Carpet; and
Stair Installations.
The initiative was sponsored and primarily underwritten by the World
Floor Covering Association. The ANSI Board of Standards Review (BSR),
which is responsible for the approval and withdrawal of ANSI Standards,
made the final decision to pass the Standard on April 9, 2015. Official
public notification appeared in the April 17th ANSI Standards Action
publication. At this point, unresolved objectors have been given the
opportunity to appeal the Standard to the ANSI Board of Standards Review.
For more information about the S600, visit www.wfca-pro.org.
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Flooring Issues/Solutions
W
elcome to ProInstaller Magazine’s
first annual Flooring Issues/Solutions
edition. We’re shining the spotlight
on important topics for flooring installers from
industry manufacturers.
With detailed Case Studies featuring multiple
images, and helpful troubleshooting Quick Tips,
we’re sure you’ll want to keep this special issue
on-hand for reference while on the job.
Please find below a table of contents that lists,
in order of appearance, the topic, company
name and the page number where it can
be found.
We’d appreciate your feedback on this special
issue! Please email editor Jeff Golden at
[email protected] with your
comments and/or suggestions.
Topic
Company
Page
Solving Hollow Spots/Popping
Barrier-Free Tile Installations
Avoiding Lippage in Tile/Stone The Challenges of Wood Flooring Installation
Tub to Shower Conversions
Oversimplifying Moisture Testing
Hot Weather Installation Tips
Protection from Moisture Claims
Mercy Hospital Joplin
Wind Creek Casino
Ritz Carlton Montreal
Trump Resort
Helmsley Carlton House
The Ergonomics of Kneeling
Penn State South Halls Renovation Success with Large Format Tiles Treating Contaminated Concrete
Conquering Concrete Moisture Control, Old Adhesive Removal Telegraphy – The Sly Enemy
W.F. Taylor, Inc.
LATICRETE
QEP
Wagner Meters
MAPEI
Tramex
ARDEX
Lignomat
TEC
Custom Building Products
MAPEI
MP Global Products
Bona
ProKnee
HPS Schönox
AC•Tech
Dri-Tac
Primatech
10
11
14
16
18
20
22
24
26
28
30
32
34
36
38
51
52
53
54
Untitled-4 1
June
2015
12/17/14
1:31 •
PM9
Quick Tip:
Solving Hollow Spots, Popping
Sounds in Hardwood Floors
By John Geier, Technical Service Department, WF Taylor
Popping is not an adhesive-related issue; it’s one that can be avoided by proper subfloor preparation prior to
installation.
H
ollow spots and “popping”
sounds in hardwood
installations are issues that are
misunderstood by many.
A hollow spot that occurs in
a hardwood installation is not an
adhesive-related issue, but is most
likely an issue of an un-flat/un-even
subfloor. Floor “popping” occurs
when a board is installed over
an adhesive that maintains some
reattachment qualities over an area
of the subfloor that has not been
properly prepared. When the board
is stepped on, it is attempting to
reattach itself to the adhesive, but
the board’s memory to go back to a
flat position causes it to “pop” out of
the adhesive.
These areas generally exhibit
little or no adhesive transfer to the
back of the board at the time of
the installation. Without the 100%
transfer of adhesive to the back of
the board, the reattachment quality
cannot be achieved. Popping is
not an adhesive-related issue;
it’s one that can be avoided by
proper subfloor preparation prior to
installation. Adhesive manufacturers
do not warrant for hollow spots
or popping within an installed
hardwood floor.
The National Wood
Flooring Association (NWFA)
recommendation for flatness of
the subfloor for an engineered
hardwood floor installation is no
more than 3/16” deflection within
any 10-ft. radius of the floor and 1/8”
within a 6-ft. radius.
If the subfloor exhibits any
deflection greater than 3/16” in any
10-ft. radius, then proper subfloor
preparation must be employed.
These steps can include grinding
the high spots in a subfloor and/
or leveling with a Portland-based
underlayment. Failure to ensure the
subfloor is flat can and will result
in the occurrence of hollow spots
within glue down installations. Note
that most flooring adhesives on the
market today are not designed to be
“gap” fillers. This means they are not
designed to fill the void area in an
uneven subfloor.
Minor hollow spot issues and
floor “popping” can be remedied by
utilizing one of the hardwood repair
kits sold on the market. However, it
should also be noted that in many
instances the severity of the problem
may require the removal of the
hardwood floor, performing the
required subfloor preparation, and
installing a new floor on the properly
flattened subfloor.
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Quick Tip:
Barrier Free Tiled Shower
Installation Materials and Methods
By Arthur Mintie, Director of Technical Services, LATICRETE International, Inc.
B
arrier free shower installations are gaining popularity for their clean looking tile lines and zero entry
profiles. In order to properly execute these
installations without the benefit of a traditional curb
placed at the shower entry; the use of high tech
installation materials and drains can be used.
Possibly the best current installation methods/options for barrier free shower applications are the Tile
Council of North America’s (TCNA) B-422-14 method
or a modified version of B-415-14 (see figure1).
This installation provides a complete waterproof connection between the waterproofing membrane and
the drain placed at the surface of the tile installation
– which minimizes the height of the overall installation.
Therefore, there is no need for the full bulky 1 1/4” to
2” (31mm to 50mm) thick mortar bed and curb that is
required in traditional shower pan installations.
This barrier free installation type places the waterproofing membrane underneath the tile or stone finish
FIGURE 2 – Finished barrier-free tiled shower installation executed per modified
TCNA method B415 utilizing the use of LATICRETE Systems materials.
FIGURE 1 – Modified version of TCNA method B415 depicting the use of LATICRETE Systems Materials including LATICRETE HYDRO BAN Linear Drains.
versus the bottom of the mortar bed in
traditional shower pan applications. These methods
allow water to shed right at the surface through an
integrated bonding flange type drain system or a linear
drain with a bonding lip, which receives the
waterproofing membrane.
The slope in the shower assembly can be started
from a much lower profile while still maintaining a 1/4”
per foot (6mm per 300mm) slope. These assemblies
provide a dramatic improvement when compared to the
traditional bulky thick bed mortar installation systems.
The TCNA will also include other installation method
options for barrier free shower installations in the 2015
Handbook for Ceramic, Glass and Stone Tile Installations, which will be released later this Spring.
Bonding flange drains and linear drains are perfectly suited for these application types. In addition, linear
drains allow for a single slope type application, which
makes the finish shower floor even more aesthetically
pleasing and easy to navigate without having to fuss
with multiple slopes (see figure 2).
Quick Tip:
Avoiding Lippage in Ceramic and
Stone Jobs
By Brad Miller, QEP
L
ippage occurs when two adjacent
tiles are not level on the surface.
Lippage is common but can be
avoided with a few easy steps. The first
and most important step is to make sure
your subfloor is level. After your subfloor
is level, it’s important to choose the
proper mortar. Make sure to select the
appropriate mortar for the type of tile
being installed.
It is also important to use the correct
amount of mortar by using the proper
notch. The trowel notch should be
specified by the mortar manufacturer.
Too much or too little mortar will cause
varying heights in the finished floor.
When using inserts, mosaics or two
different thicknesses of tile, be cautious
as this is an area that can easily cause
lippage problems.
Once you have addressed these
precautionary steps, the last step to
prevent lippage is using a simple clip and
wedge leveling system. This system makes
the average installer look like a pro.
Once you’ve put down your mortar
and set the first tile in place, simply
place a clip along the edge of the tile,
lay your next tile up against the clip and
insert a wedge. The wedge pulls and
pushes the tile and clip tight to align
the top of the tiles and holds them in
place while the mortar dries. Return to
the jobsite the next day when the mortar
has set and simply kick the wedges to
snap off from the clips and your floor is
perfectly level.
A simple clip and wedge system makes the average tile
and stone installer look like a pro.
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Quick Tip:
The Challenges of Wood Flooring
Installation in California
By Tony Morgan, Senior Systems Technician, Wagner Meters, Inc.
M
oisture conditions and fluctuation of humidity in
California can create challenges when installing
wood floors. Marc McCalla, owner of awardwinning Craftsman Hardwood Floors, Inc., Santa Clarita,
CA shares some of the challenges he faces regularly and
how he manages projects subjected to those conditions.
“In areas of Santa Clarita
and within 30-35 minutes of the
coastal communities, there’s such
a fluctuation. We don’t get a lot of
rain in California. Our installation
practice that we do here is
very dry. You have to plan and
continually check that you’re not
building in too much expansion.
Sometimes people want to install
wood floors that are too tight and
it’s going to buckle...even though
they’ve checked the moisture
content of the floor and it’s within 4% and they feel
comfortable installing. But as you gain relative humidity
inside the house, all the moisture in the air settles on the
floor, the floor absorbs the moisture and the wood floor
will grow and begin to buckle.
A slightly loose floor is always better than a floor
that’s too tight. A floor that’s too tight is going to grow
and begin to cup or buckle.
What we’ve learned is that you build in a little bit
of expansion. We use shims…smooth-black-metal shims
that we use as a growth increment. We take our moisture
meter and check the subfloor, check the hardwood
and we like to be within 2%…but sometimes, that’s
really difficult and unobtainable. In areas where it’s
very dry, I try not to use more expansion.
Up in Santa Barbara, the relative humidity is
generally about 70%. So if you install a floor (as an
example, let’s say it’s October), their heating cycle is
starting to cool down. What you have to do is build
for the next summer, even though your acclamation
and percentage rates state you can install your floor.
We build expansion into the floor...and with every
three or four rows, we insert a piece of expanding
material which may be a 1/16”-wide. We then cut
them into pieces that are 3” wide and stagger them
every 9” apart in each place where there’s a joint
in the wood. We continue with the entire row, all the
way down from one side of the room to the next.
If you get
a tiny gap
between a
board here and
a board there…
it will allow
your wood
floor to grow
throughout the
winter and
summer and it
will continue to
go through that
cycle without buckling.”
When asked if a moisture
meter gives Marc peace of
mind when installing a new
wood floor, he said, “I use a
moisture meter…in fact we have
two meters. You have to use
a moisture meter, especially
with a new installation because
houses are built more airtight
and lumber is milled faster.”
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Quick Tip:
Single-Source System:
Easy Tub-to-Shower Conversions
By Brian Pistulka, Business Manager for Tile & Stone Installation Systems, MAPEI
Challenge
As hotels, condominiums, apartment
buildings, university dorms and
other multi-residence buildings begin
to age, one of the major renovations
that owners undertake is to update
the bathroom in each dwelling.
Remodeling can involve one tubto-shower conversion by a homeowner, or it can encompass 300
conversions in a hotel or dormitory.
The challenge is to install a shower
system that updates the room and
offers the consumer a comfortable,
well-designed alternative to a
bathtub.
Shower kits with a linear drain
system allow architects to design
with large-format tile on the floors as
well as the walls, opening up more
opportunities for modern design
elements in shower compartments.
Installers are able to complete their
shower pan and tile installation
work more quickly – an important
factor in commercial renovations.
Solution
• Step 1: First, remove the tub, and prepare the floor and wall substrates for the installation. The substrate must be structurally sound, level and capable of supporting the entire tile assembly. The substrate is to be fully cured and free of soap scum, dust, dirt, oil, wax, sealers, paint, coatings, and any other substances that could reduce or inhibit proper adhesion and system performance.
•Step 2: Fasten cement backer board to the walls of the shower.
•Step 3: Bond the shower panels and drain sup-
port frame to the subfloor.
•Step 4: Install the linear drain assembly. You may need to install drain extenders. These allow the linear drain to be custom-fit from wall to wall, up to 32” (81 cm), accommodating a variety of shower sizes.
photo courtesy MAPEI
•Step 5: Apply the waterproofing and crack
isolation membrane to the entire system, incluing the shower pan, walls and linear drain body. For compliance with IAPMO, use a reinforcing fabric at all shower pan seams and shower transitions; from floor to wall; and on inside corners, outside corners and the U-shaped curb cover.
•Step 6: Once the system is completely installed and waterproofed, the tile in the shower can be set using a premium non-sag medium-bed and thin-
set mortar developed for large-format tile and stone installations. This mortar has a high content of unique dry polymer, resulting in excellent adhesion to the substrate and tile.
•Step 7: The tile can be grouted.
•Step 8: The tile can be sealed.
Quick Tip:
Oversimplification of
Moisture Testing
By Andrew Rynhart, Managing Director, Tramex Ltd.
M
oisture problems in flooring originate from various
sources and can affect floor coverings in different ways.
The effect of moisture issues will be more or less
severe depending on variables such as concrete density and
quality, ambient site conditions and the regional climate. As
these variables are so influential, they also need to be measured
and compared.
With some guidance, flooring installers can identify when
moisture problems clearly exist and when they don’t. But more
importantly, they should be able to identify the gray area where
their data raises further questions.
The key is understanding this gray area -- as it’s commonly
found on many job sites. However, much of the available information on moisture testing is aimed at showing why one test is
better than any other, and why the others don’t compare. This
can distract from seeing the complete picture.
When flooring installers make decisions based on single
pieces of data, it can lead them to make incorrect decisions,
costing them and their clients unnecessary time and money.
Initial decisions need to be based on at least three types
of readings:
• Preliminary moisture mapping of the slab (per F2659) helps identify moisture problems from within the concrete or originating from the surface, such as dew point/con-
densation issues or leaks.
• By comparing the moisture map with the on-site ambient relative humidity readings and surface temperature, it is possible to separate dew point/condensation issues from other potential moisture problems and deal with them separately.
• These results make it easy to know where to set RH probes for F2170.
Further testing can be very beneficial but may require a
higher level of training. Fortunately, there are quality training
courses within the industry. They take a certain degree of time,
skill, and knowledge, but they can be of great benefit when
a company invests in them. By doing so, flooring contractors
can expand their reputation and reduce their problems as they
develop their own in-house flooring inspectors.
Unless you have well-trained in-house personnel, flooring
companies should not hesitate to work with independent inspectors or testing companies, especially when unsure about their
data due to anomalies or borderline readings. Good independent inspectors and testing companies will pay for themselves
by helping flooring companies avoid problems and reduce the
cost of unnecessary mitigation.
Preliminary moisture mapping of the slab.
Compare the moisture map with the on-site ambient relative humidity
readings and surface temperature.
The results of the above two tests will make it easy to know where to
set RH probes.
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Quick Tip:
Hot Weather Installation Tips
By Craig Morris, Manager, ARDEX Technical Service Department
M
be smoothed, do not attempt to
go back and touch it up. Allow
it to dry thoroughly and evaluate
the installation. The fix may be as
simple as troweling an underlayment
patch over the surface to smooth the
installation.
Photos courtesy of ARDEX
other Nature can challenge
even the most skilled
installer when it comes
to rising temperatures. Hidden
installation failure lies in four
temperatures: substrate, air,
product, water.
Leading manufacturers
recommend 50°F - 70°F as the
a tarp can get very warm. Store all
materials in a cool, dry place.
Water that is too warm will act
as a catalyst, accelerating curing
times, working times and changing
the viscosity of the product. For
manual self-leveling installations,
ice in a 55-gallon drum will chill the
water to increase flow and working
ideal temperature range at which
patching and self-leveling products
should be installed. If just one of
the four temperatures (air, substrate,
product or water) is out of the safe
range, it could spell failure for your
installation.
If you must work at warmer
temperatures, follow these
installation tips:
Most important is the substrate
temperature. Invest in a surface
thermometer and use it to plan your
installation procedures that day.
Next is the temperature of the
product (powders and/or liquids).
Material stored onsite underneath
time. For a pump installation,
sections of coiled garden hose in a
drum of ice will chill the water on
its way to the pump. Mixing
patching materials with cool water
will increase the pot life and
working time.
Consider installing patching and
self-leveling products as early in the
day as possible. In general, air and
substrate temperatures will be
lowest at sunrise. Working at
warmer temperatures means you
need to work more quickly and in
smaller areas. Use the right tools
including a 1/2-inch heavy-duty drill
(min. 650 rpm).
If material sets before it can
If an additional application of selfleveling material is needed, re-prime
and re-install when conditions are
more suitable.
Finally, if temperatures for
substrate, product and water cannot
be brought into a safe range,
the best advice is to stop until the
temperature problem has been
solved.
Quick Tip:
Protection from Moisture Claims
By Grete Heimerdinger, Lignomat USA Ltd
Q
Photo and chart courtesy Lignomat USA Ltd.
uality floors and expert installations cannot
prevent moisture problems from occurring after
the floor is in use.
Wood is a hygroscopic material and it will always
react with the surrounding ambient conditions after the
installation is finished.
At the time of installation, it is the installers responsible to make sure:
• Floor planks and sub floors are dry
• Existing or new concrete slabs are dry to the specifications of the floor manufacturer
• Ambient conditions are within 30-50% at 60-80F.
If all those conditions are met, any up-coming
problems after completing the installation are out of the
installer’s control and lie within the responsibilities of the
customer. Nevertheless, floor installers are often blamed
for cupping or gapping long after the installation has
been completed. The cause of these problems is often
uncontrolled ambient relative humidity.
Just to give an example of what dry winters and wet
summers can do when no humidity control system is in
operation:
• At 70°F and 35% relative humidity, wood will stay at 7%
• At 70°F and 65% relative humidity, wood will gain moisture till 12% (wet summers)
• At 70°F and 20% relative humidity, wood mois
ture will lose moisture till 4.5% (dry winters).
This is an 8% change of moisture content in extreme conditions.
How can the floor installer protect himself
from these unwarranted claims?
At the time the installation is completed, the moisture
content and the relative humidity should be measured
and recorded. A dual depth pinless meter is perfect for
the job. Multiple locations should be measured on both
depth settings 1/4” and 3/4” deep to pinpoint the moisture
distribution (see photo). The meter can also be
Dual-depth pinless Scanner Ligno-DuoTec BW to pinpoint floor moisture for
¼” and ¾” measuring depth, to measure relative humidity and temperature as
well as in-situ probe testing. Made for hardwood floor applications.
instantly converted into a Thermo-Hygrometer by
connecting the RH BluePeg Probe to obtain readings
of relative humidity and temperature. When the final
report is presented to the customer, it would be a good
time to explain to the floor maintenance personnel or
home owner that too much or too little humidity can
affect the floor. See Equilibrium Moisture Content (EMC)
graph below for ambient relative humidity and temperature relations.
If the floor needs to be inspected for moisture problems at a later time, the measurements taken at the time
of installation are an important data base to compare
to. Variations from the initial measurements will help to
pinpoint the source of the problem. Comparing the sets
of dual-depth measurements will help the inspector determine if the change is caused by moisture movement
from the bottom or the top of the planks.
As an additional step for protection, a humidity
data logger can be installed to record the ups and
downs of the relative humidity. The data logger will
show if the air conditioner has been turned off or was
not functioning properly. The unit can even be set to
sound an alarm when the relative humidity falls
out of range.
Relative Humidity
Temp5 10 1520253035404550 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95
30.0 1.42.6 3.7 4.6 5.56.37.1 7.88.7 9.510.411.3 12.413.514.916.516.521.024.3
40.0 1.42.6 3.7 4.6 5.56.37.1 7.88.7 9.510.411.3 12.413.514.916.516.521.024.3
50.0 1.42.6 3.6 4.6 5.56.37.1 7.98.7 9.510.311.2 12.313.414.816.416.420.924.3
60.0 1.32.5 3.6 4.6 5.46.27.0 7.88.6 9.410.211.1 12.113.314.616.216.220.724.1
70.0 1.32.5 3.5 4.5 5.46.26.9 7.78.5 9.210.111.0 12.013.114.416.016.020.523.9
80.0 1.32.4 3.5 4.4 5.36.16.8 7.68.3 9.1 9.910.8 11.7 12.914.215.715.720.223.9
90.0 1.22.3 3.4 4.3 5.15.96.7 7.48.1 8.9 9.710.5 11.5 12.613.915.415.419.823.3
100.01.22.3 3.4 4.2 5.05.86.5 7.27.9 8.7 9.510.3 11.2 12.313.615.115.119.522.9
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Case Study:
TEC Products Provide Foundation
for Rebuilt Mercy Hospital Joplin
Building Efforts Rely on TEC Moisture Mitigation System and Surface Prep Line
By Tom Plaskota, Technical Support Manager, TEC/H.B. Fuller Construction Products
concrete surface profiles for their
line of surface preparation products
and adhesives, and observed the
initial concrete pours.
Moisture mitigation
Mercy Hospital Joplin was
constructed with special attention to
longevity and durability – from floor
to ceiling. Hospitals increasingly
recognize the risk to both flooring
and tile posed by moisture vapor
emissions from concrete slabs.
Moisture problems cause more than
$1 billion in flooring installation
failures annually. Hospitals are
higher-stakes environments than
most, since a flooring failure
in a hospital can cause costly
TEC The LiquiDAM allows for efficient and effective surface preparation – which was essential for this
massive project.
I
n 2011, St. John’s Regional
Medical Center in Joplin, MO,
took a direct hit from a tornado
– leaving it seriously damaged.
The city’s new Mercy Hospital
Joplin (opened in March 2015),
is designed to withstand powerful
tornados, and TEC products were
specified to help protect its floor
from more day-to-day occurrences.
The TEC total system helps the
hospital prevent excessive moisture
vapor emissions and withstand
heavy use by doctors, hospital
employees and patients.
After the 2011 tornado, St.
John’s Regional Medical Center’s
nine-story building was deemed
structurally compromised and later
torn down. As part of the rebuilding
process, construction manager
McCarthy Building Companies,
Mercy health system, flooring
contractor Flooring Systems Inc.
and tile contractor Zickel Flooring
decided that the TEC system was the
best choice for the new hospital’s
subfloor. Flooring Systems Inc. was
familiar with TEC products and TEC
offered a 25-year warranty for their
system.
“From a general contractor’s
point of view, technical support
is incredibly important,” says
Jeremy Witts, project manager with
McCarthy Building Companies.
“TEC sends support directly to the
job site.”
The TEC technical team has
been involved in the project since
its foundation was laid. TEC experts
first visited the hospital, located at
Interstate 44 and Hearnes Blvd.,
in November 2012. They met the
flatwork contractor, McCarthy and
Mercy to discuss the appropriate
McCarthy, Flooring Systems, Zickel Flooring and Mercy
opted to mitigate 400,000 square feet of the hospital with
TEC The LiquiDAM Penetrating Moisture Barrier.
temporary shutdowns. For that
reason, McCarthy, Flooring Systems,
Zickel Flooring and Mercy opted
to mitigate 400,000 square feet of
the hospital with TEC The LiquiDAM
Penetrating Moisture Barrier, which
exceeds the ASTM F3010-13
standard for moisture vapor barriers,
and doesn’t require shot blasting on
green, sound concrete.
TEC surface preparation products laid a smooth foundation for easy installation of a variety of materials –
including carpet tile, which was installed with TEC Releasable Pressure Sensitive Adhesive.
“TEC provides cost-efficient
moisture mitigation. Their system
saves labor hours, which minimizes
costs,” says Witts.
TEC The LiquiDAM allows
for efficient and effective surface
preparation – which was essential
for this massive project. Its one-coat,
fast-drying formula cures in just four
to five hours – allowing installers
with Flooring Systems and Zickel
Flooring to quickly move onto other
aspects of the installation. TEC
experts worked with the Flooring
Systems and Zickel Flooring crews
in Joplin as they familiarized
themselves with the product.
“The LiquiDAM requires fewer
steps than other products and is
much more user-friendly,” says Don
Robinson, foreman with Flooring
Systems. “It gives us a smooth finish,
which allows for less work down
the road.”
Surface preparation
After priming the floor with
TEC Multipurpose Primer, Flooring
Systems and Zickel Flooring
provided a smooth foundation for
the future patients of Joplin Mercy
Hospital. They used TEC Fast-Set
Deep Patch for fills up to 11/2” in
a single pour. Since this product
dries to a walkable hardness in just
60 minutes, it made it easy for the
various crews to move around the
busy job site.
Although self-leveling was not
initially built into the installation
schedule, the presence of birdbaths
in the subfloor necessitated it. Sheet
vinyl, like that used in Mercy Hospital, is unforgiving of imperfections,
Tile in the hospital was also installed with TEC
products, which help create beautiful,
comforting spaces.
so Flooring Systems needed to make
up for flooring deflections. TEC
Smooth Start Self-Leveling Underlayment allowed Flooring Systems to
quickly correct imperfections, as it
cures quickly and corrects up to 1”
in a single pour, or up to 5” in a
single aggregate.
“TEC Smooth Start is easy to
work with and has a strength of
4,000 PSI,” says Robinson. “That
strength was important for this
hospital, where the subfloor will
experience heavy wheel loads from
hospital beds and equipment.”
Zickel Flooring opted for another
TEC self-leveler, TEC EZ Level
Premium Self Leveling Underlayment,
to prepare the substrate for large
format tile. This fast-curing product
is walkable in just two to four hours
and accepts tile installation in six
hours, which allowed Zickel to
quickly install the large-format tile
used at Mercy Hospital Joplin.
“We used tile as large as 12” x
24”. Because of its size, the tile has
a tighter surface tolerance,” says
Justin Kilmer of Zickel Flooring. “TEC
EZ Level helped us make sure the
substrate was within its tolerance.”
TEC PerfectFinish allows for floor
installation in just 30 to 60 minutes
and was the final step in preparing
the hospital’s substrate. TEC surface
preparation products laid a smooth
foundation for easy installation of
a variety of materials – including
carpet tile, which was installed with
TEC Releasable Pressure Sensitive
Adhesive.
Tile installation
Tile in the hospital was also
installed with TEC products, which
help create beautiful, comforting
spaces. Mercy aims to bring dignity
to the patient and the beauty of tile
elevates the health care experience.
After waterproofing with fast-drying
TEC HydraFlex Waterproofing Crack
Isolation Membrane, Zickel Flooring used TEC mortars and grouts to
install 24,000-square-feet of floor tile
and 60,000 square feet of stone,
glass and tile on walls and columns.
They used TEC AccuColor EFX
Epoxy Special Effects Grout, which
provides the strength and stain and
chemical resistance essential for
hospitals like Mercy Hospital Joplin.
“TEC HydraFlex dries quickly. It’s
a time saver, because we can apply
it over 3-day-old concrete,”
says Kilmer.
June 2015 • 27
Case Study:
Tile Contractors Take No Chance
on Tile Installation System
By Steve Taylor, Director of Technical and Architectural Marketing, Custom Building Products
W
hen it comes to setting tile on high-profile
projects, the installers at American Tile and
Marble of Shreveport, LA choose tile
installation systems from Custom Building Products.
Wind Creek Casino in Wetumpka, Ala. is the
second luxury casino hotel completed by American
Tile for the PCI Gaming Authority. After installing tile
at the original Wind Creek Casino, they knew precisely
which products would make this even larger and
more ambitious project a success. With a compressed
construction schedule, the contractor was taking
no chances.
At American Tile’s request, CUSTOM underlayments, membranes, mortars and grouts were chosen to
set a wide array of glass and ceramic tile throughout
the project.
The Wind Creek complex is 512,000 square feet
with more than 110,000 square feet of tiled surfaces.
This property is the largest casino in the state and offers
a Las Vegas-style atmosphere with dramatic lighting,
more than 2,500 gaming machines and a raised center
bar with a 16,000 gallon shark tank.
Finishes range from beautiful imported glass mosaics to large format porcelain tile to quarry tile in the
kitchens of the five on-site restaurants. All 283 guest
rooms and suites in the 20-story hotel include tiled bathroom floors, walls, showers and soaking tub surrounds.
“Everyone at CUSTOM has been extremely helpful,
knowledgeable and sincere in their efforts to make this
project successful,” said Jeff Blanchard, project manager at American Tile and Marble. “I cannot say enough
about the team.”
Surface preparation began with the installation of
The Wind Creek complex measures
512,000 square feet with more
than 110,000 square feet of
tiled surfaces.
LevelQuik Rapid Setting
Self-Leveling Underlayment. LevelQuik RS seeks
its own level in minutes
and was poured up to 1”
deep to achieve true flatness and an extra heavy
rating. Its fast cure rate
and early high strength
allowed tiling to begin in
only four hours.
CrackBuster Pro
All 283 guest rooms and suites in the 20-story
Crack Prevention Mat
hotel include tiled bathroom floors, walls,
showers and soaking tub surrounds.
underlayment was
specified to help protect
the 12” x 24” and larger format tiles. A fabric-
Location: Wetumpka, AL
Year Completed: 2014
Owner: PCI Gaming Authority, Atmore, AL
Architect: Hnedak Bobo Group, Memphis, TN
General Contractor: Flintco Constructive Solutions, Tulsa, OK
Tile Contractor: American Tile and Marble, Shreveport, LA
Custom Building Products Team: Chip O’Rear, CSI, CCPR, CTC, CCSMTT,
LEED AP, architectural consultant; Vann Clayton, regional technical services
representative; Scott Nalesnick, territory manager
Tile size also dictated the choice of mortars. Marble, Granite & Travertine Premium Medium Bed Mortar is a modified
dry-set mortar for large and heavy tile, perfect for tile over
15” on any side.
reinforced asphaltic mat, CrackBuster Pro
reduces crack transmission where traffic
and subfloor conditions can increase this
risk.
Tile size also dictated the choice of
mortars. Marble, Granite & Travertine
Premium Medium Bed Mortar is a
modified dry-set mortar for large and
heavy tile, perfect for tile over 15” on any
side. Installers applied it up to 3/4”-thick
over the mat to minimize lippage and
hold the large body tile in place.
Prior to spreading mortar, RedGard
Waterproofing and Crack Prevention
Membrane was applied in each hotel
bathroom and kitchen. RedGard is a ready to
use, quick-drying, elastomeric membrane that
creates a continuous water and moisture vapor
barrier. The application of RedGard ensures
a waterproof tile installation system in all
intermittently wet areas of the casino.
ProLite Large Format Tile & Stone Mortar
was used to install large format tile on walls
and floors and for setting the extensive glass
tile throughout the casino. ProLite’s excellent
handling and non-slip characteristics were
appreciated by the tile installers. ProLite is made
with lightweight recycled content allowing it to
be 40% lighter than traditional mortars. Thirtypound ProLite bags offer equal coverage to
typical 50-pound bags of mortar, but they are
much easier to move around the job site.
Many of the common areas were grouted
with Prism Color Consistent Grout. “We love
Prism’s color consistency and it is very easy to
use,” said Jeff Leggett, job supervisor. Prism is a
unique, lightweight, polymer-modified cement-based
grout. Unlike some cement grouts, Prism offers no
efflorescence plus consistent color without
shading or mottling.
Select spaces with quarry tile were grouted with
high-performance CEG-Lite Commercial Grade
100% Solids Epoxy Grout. “CEG-Lite is a great
product and cleans up much easier than other
epoxy grouts,” said Leggett. CEG-Lite provides
exceptional stain resistance and the fast cure time
permitted other trades to resume their own work
quickly. Recycled components make CEG-Lite easier
to spread than other epoxy grouts – without
additives – and it is the first epoxy grout that
contributes to LEED. The team at American Tile and Marble was
thrilled with the results. “All of the products
performed wonderfully,” reported Blanchard.
The entire installation
qualified for a 25-year
system warranty based
on the complete system
of qualifying CUSTOM
products. This quality
assurance provides longterm peace of mind for the
tile contractor as well as
the casino’s owners.
Prior to spreading mortar, RedGard
Waterproofing and Crack Prevention
Membrane was applied in each hotel
bathroom.
ProLite Large Format Tile & Stone Mortar was used to install large format tile on the walls and
floors, and for setting the extensive use of glass tile throughout the casino.
June 2015 • 29
Case Study:
Restoring History,
Creating New Architecture
on Sherbrooke
Street in Montreal
By Diane Choate, MBA, APR, Public Relations
Specialist, MAPEI Americas
S
ince its grand opening on New
Year’s Eve, 1912, with original
construction costs of $3 million, The Ritz-Carlton Montreal has
offered respite, warmth and wonder
to stars, royalty and very important
people hailing from the four corners
of the world.
Starting in January 2013, the
original Ritz-Carlton hotel began
an incredible transformation. A
shining example of avant-garde
design and careful preservation, the
original façade, lobby, Palm Court,
Grand Ballroom and Ritz Garden
have been restored to their original
splendor. One half of the original
building remains as a Ritz Carlton
Hotel, while the other half has been
Primer L being applied.
renovated and turned into 45 wholeownership, private residences.
Designed by Montreal
architectural firm Provencher Roy,
the new Ritz-Carlton was expertly
planned to incorporate the iconic
original façade designed by New
York’s Warren and Wetmore,
while showcasing some of the
finest contemporary design seen in
Montreal and around the world.
Many of the exquisite exterior
details of the original Ritz-Carlton
serve as leitmotifs for the interior
design of its residences. The intricate
stone molding, which was restored
to perfection on the exterior, is
echoed on the interior, while the
delicate string of stone pearls that
snake around the building serve as
inspiration for the elegant circular
design in the marble flooring of the
Residences’ lobby. Actual pieces of
the original façade were restored,
preserved as an art piece in each
elevator lobby, paying tribute to The
Ritz-Carlton’s noble past.
After the restoration and conversion of a sizeable portion of
the original building, an elegant
structure of steel and glass graces
the roof and western face of the
building. This new residential wing
discreetly revives and enlivens the
already unique character of the
original Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
This renovation was good news
for such a beloved landmark, but the
project had to be finished quickly
and several challenges had to be
met to keep the “Grande Dame” of
Sherbrooke Street in league with the
best Canadian hotels.
Luxury bathroom in one of the residences.
MAPEI Products on the Jobsite
The renovations included overall
updates to the rooms and common
areas, as well as an expansion of
the building to create luxury
residences.
In all 19 stories of the residences
there were new concrete slabs from
2012 and old slabs from 1982,
when the original floors were
poured. The concrete was soft and
had cracks.
Concrete Repairs at the
Residences and the Hotel
Novoplan 1 with its highstrength was used for self-leveling
on 90% of the job. The Novoplan
1 was pumped over Primer L.
Primer L improves the bond between
a properly prepared and profiled
concrete substrate and the self-
photos courtesy MAPEI
leveling uncerlayment.
On approximately 10% of
the jobsite (in an older section
of the hotel), the structural
engineers required the use of
a “light” concrete, because the
amount of regular concrete that
would have to be used would
exceed the capabilities of the
building to withstand the stress
of all that weight. MAPEI was
able to meet this challenge by
supplying Ultraplan M20
mixed with Mapelite. (Mapelite
is a mixture of aggregates
engineered to significantly reduce
the total weight when added to
cementitious mixtures.)
Use of the Ultraplan M20/
Mapelite mixture allowed the
contractor to pour the concrete
at the same level on all the floors
without any difference between
the old floors and the new ones.
The weight of the mixture also met
the requirements of the structural
engineers.
Novoplan 1 being pumped over Primer L.
Tile Setting at the Hotel and
the Residences
The use of MAPEI products was
extremely successful in preparing the
floors for the tile-setting process.
The tile work in the hotel was
performed by Olympique CMCT,
Inc. They began by waterproofing
“wet” areas with Mapelastic
AquaDefense. Next, they set
approximately 50,000 square feet
of large format marble tiles (24” x
24” and 12” x 24”) from Bottocino
in Italy, using Ultraflex LFT for
wall tiles and Ultraflex 2 for floor
tiles. Due to the delicate nature of
In the lobby of the residences, Mapecem 100 was also used for repairs. The 16” x 16” large format tiles
were set with the Kerabond/Keralastic mortar system and grouted with Keracolor S and U.
the marble, all tiles were grouted
with Keracolor U.
In the Ritz Carlton Residences,
Carrelage de Montreal installers
set tile in each kitchen, master
bathroom, second bathroom and
entrance area. The total area for
the residences was approximately
100,000 square feet.
Mapecem 100 was used
to make substrate repairs where
necessary. Then the bathrooms were
waterproofed with Mapelastic
315. Ultralite Mortar was used to
set marble (4” x 4”) and mosaic (5/8”
x 5/8”) walls tiles, and these areas
were grouted with Keracolor U.
The Kerabond/Keralastic mortar
system was used to set the 16” x
16” and 16” x 24” marble floor
tiles, and Keracolor S was used
for grouting.
In the lobby of the residences, Mapecem 100 was also used for
repairs. The 16” x 16” large format
tiles were set with the Kerabond/
Keralastic mortar system and
grouted with Keracolor S and U.
The installation of the porcelain
and mosaic tiles from Italy in the
pool and showers that are a part
of the rooftop pool area also used
MAPEI products: Mapecem 100
for substrate repairs, Mapelastic
315 for waterproofing,
Kerabond/Keralastic for setting
the tiles and Keracolor S & U for
grouting.
Product Information:
MAPEI Distributors: Concrete Restoration – Reno-Direct, Inc.
Tile and Stone Installation for Residences – Prosol Quebec
Tile and Stone Installation for Hotel – Ciot Quebec
General Contractor:Pommerleau
Installer Companies: Concrete Restoration – BTM Construction
Tile and Stone Installation for Residences – Carrelage de Montreal
Tile and Stone Installation for Hotel – Olympic Tile
Engineer:
SBSA Structural Consultants
Project Size: 150,000 square feet
June 2015 • 31
Case Study:
MP Global Products’
Insulayment Meets
High-Rise Demands
Luxury high-rise Trump Resort in
Florida specifies Insulayment for
sound abatement between floors
By Duane Reimer, Technical Director, MP Global Products
Challenge:
Specifying underlayment for new flooring at the Trump
International Sonesta Beach Resort in Sunny Isles Beach,
Florida. The underlayment was to meet or exceed the
standards of the building industry for sound abatement within
the state of Florida and Miami Dade County and have other
performance capabilities, as well.
The developers of the resort, Donald Trump and Dezer Properties,
wanted an underlayment that would address noise abatement, crack
suppression and potential mold issues. The hotel features 355 hotel
rooms and guest suites, each with a private balcony with views of the
Atlantic Ocean or the Intracoastal Waterways.
Criteria: The underlayment had to meet code requirements set by
the industry within the state of Florida and Miami Dade County, plus
be easy to install and cost effective.
In Florida, code requires the floor assembly address abatement of
floor-to-floor noise in dwelling units in high rise buildings from each
other or from public or service
areas.
Solution: Specification
and installation of MP Global
Products Insulayment, a high
performing earth-friendly fiber
acoustic underlayment designed
for use under glue-down and naildown hardwood and engineered
wood floors, as well as under
ceramic, porcelain, and most
Insulayment is engineered to provide noise abatement, aid
in crack suppression, and help minimize potential mold
issues, all areas of concern for the project.
The underlayment features randomly air-laid filaments
that create a capillary effect that cushions the floor and
absorbs impact sound.
stone tile, where it acts as an isolation
barrier. The underlayment is engineered
to provide noise abatement, aid in crack
suppression, and help minimize potential
mold issues, all areas of concern for
the project.
The underlayment features randomly air-laid filaments that create a capillary effect that cushions
the floor and absorbs impact sound. It carries a Field IIC rating of 60 when tested under 3/8” glueddown engineered wood and when tested under ceramic tile - each time over 8” concrete with no
ceiling assembly.
Insulayment also helps smooth out imperfections in the subfloor and suppresses the transfer of
lateral cracks up to 1/4” from concrete subfloors to the covered flooring material. Insulayment includes
an antimicrobial additive that inhibits mold growth and, with an R-value of approximately 0.50,
adds a thermal break to the flooring assembly.
“Insulayment was easy to install, cost effective, and met all the code requirements set by the
industry within the state of Florida and Miami Dade County,” said Angel Acosta, Construction Project
Manager, Trump Grande Ocean Resort and Residences.
Insulayment is a third-party certified product made from 100% pre-consumer recycled textile content and is LEED compliant. It is available in 100 sq. ft. rolls.
June 2015 • 33
Case Study:
Brickman Consults with AdvanTech
panels and Bona for Historic Restoration
By Dave Darche, Bona US
W
hen Howard Brickman
of Brickman Consulting
met with Extell project
managers and designers in July
2012, they had already completed
the heavy lifting on the building and
design portion of the project at the
former Helmsley Carlton House.
building on 61st Street that
was notable for the large “eye”
painted in the urinal bowls of its
men’s rooms.
“Right out of the gate we have
to incorporate procedures for
determining the moisture content of
the concrete as well as any selfleveling compounds that may be
needed, factor in NYC sound and
acoustical requirements, and last
but not least the installation of the
wood floor. After looking at several
mockups, the wood floor selected is
a 7” wide Engineered White Oak
plank floor that will be site finished.
The Helmsley Carlton House
“This is usually the stage of the
game when I arrive and am
tasked with working with the other
specialty consultants, contractors,
and architects to create the details
and instructions to coordinate the
installation of a wood floor that
meets Extell’s vision of the completed
residential apartments”, said
Brickman.
This elegant building at 680
Madison Ave. (Madison & 61st
St.), NYC is across 61st Street from
Barney’s and across 62nd Street
from Hermes and just one block
from Central Park. For several
years, Maxim’s, the famous Parisian
restaurant, occupied a large
restaurant, as well as a bistro in the
A 7”-wide Engineered White Oak plank floor, which
will be finished on-site, is the wood floor of choice for
the restoration.
After self-leveling is completed, a 6
mil polyethylene and an acoustical
mat are placed over the self leveled
surface. In the consulting world,
you wind up talking with a lot of
manufacturers and develop a feel
for companies that will deliver in
terms of product and technical
support, and I will say that both the
AdvanTech panels and Bona were
instrumental throughout the duration
of this project,” said Brickman.
At this point, two layers of
AdvanTech panels are floated
over the acoustical mat and
fastened together with Bona R850T
adhesive in beads that are
applied between the layers which
are then screwed together. This
buildup under the wood floor
is used to adjust the wood floor
elevation to the stone transitions
and simplify the self-leveling
into a single application under
the stone and wood floors. By
changing the thickness of the
AdvanTech panel underlayment,
the wood floor system height can
be adjusted in 1/8” increments
starting with the minimum of two
layers of ½” (totaling 1”) and
progressing up to two layers of
¾” (totaling 1.5”).
AdvanTech panels were
specified because of their density
and flatness, which is critical when
preparing a flat floating substrate
that is not attached to the building
structure. The Bona adhesive was
specified because of its high shear
strength and balanced elongation
properties and can be easily
cleaned off of prefinished surfaces
without damaging them. Urethane
adhesives can chemically etch
Bona R850T adhesive was applied in beads between the two layers of the AdvanTech panels. Shown is a
used sausage pack selected to keep waste to a minimum.
finished surfaces and alter the sheen
or color even after they are cleaned
off. The engineered wood flooring
will then be nailed and glued to
the AdvanTech panel. A bead of
Bona R850T is to be applied 1.5”
from the groove edge along the
entire length of the board with
a small bead at each end of the
“Both the AdvanTech panels and Bona were instrumental throughout the duration of this project,” said
Howard Brickman of Brickman Consulting.
board. This method of application
ensures that both sides of the boards
are fastened, and using adhesive
sausage packs keeps the waste to a
minimum.
“The wood floor is put out
for bids often with requests from
bidders to modify the specification
in order to value engineer the job.
This creates some back and forth
with the need to carefully explain
the potential outcomes of accepting
or rejecting the requests for value
engineering. Contracts are signed
and production of the wood flooring
is started so that all of the flooring
will have been completed when the
approximately 100,000 sq. ft. job
starts many months in the future.”
As the job progresses my site
visits include moisture testing and
observation of the AdvanTech panel
installation as it proceeds, Brickman
adds. The added complexity of
sanding and finishing on-site
increases the need to be present
for this aspect as well, since this
is when the Great Switcheroo will
usually take place. Up to this point,
everything that has been specified
is under the floor and completely
out of sight, which is why I have
chosen Bona stains and finishes to
be the first thing that the new owners
will see when they walk through the
door of these very prestigious
living spaces.
June 2015 • 35
Case Study:
The Ergonomics of Kneeling
By Lee Richards, President, ProKnee Corporation
F
ollowing two years of research studying various
occupations, including all types of flooring
installation, construction (commercial & residential),
industrial metal fabrication and textile manufacturing
with many safety engineers and health experts in the
rehabilitation and prevention of occupational knee
injuries, the following observations were made:
•The study included the various kneeling positions and injuries of people working on their knees.
•Several insurance companies across the United States have processed orders, through ProKnee, for claims growing from occupational knee injuries
After studying the various kneeling positions and
injuries of people that work on their knees, several
additional observations were made:
1) People who have sore knees often have sore backs.
Why? When people are tired and sore from kneeling
they often compensate by stooping over. This causes
the weight of the upper body to transfer off the knees
and onto the lower back area. This leads to excessive
fatigue, chronic pain and injuries to the muscles
vertebra of the lower back.
3) One of the typical kneeling position is sitting
back on your calf muscles with the tops of your feet
flattened against the floor. The drawback is that the
ligaments and muscles on the top of the foot can over
stretch, causing pain and cramping that can make it
difficult to walk or run after a full day’s work.
2) When the weight of a person is concentrated to
the knee area, there is friction between the bones at
the joint. Sandwiched between the bones lies a thin
layer of cartilage and tissue (meniscus), that acts as a
cushion, which allows pain free movement of the joint.
With not much natural support to hold it together, the
joint continuously works on this thin layer until it starts
to wear out. This may cause an assortment of knee
problems including loose joints, knee burn pain, fluid
build up and tissue swelling.
4) Another popular belief is, when a carpet installer
kicks a knee kicker, the force of the thigh against the
pad on the knee kicker is the damaging factor. The
real stress from kicking is, when the thigh strikes the
knee kicker, the weight of the whole body is multiplied
and then transferred straight down. This super
compresses the thin layer of cartilage and meniscus
located in the knee joint area, thus causing the
assortment of knee problems mentioned above. Add
to that all of the turning and twisting that takes place
while walking around on your knees and you can see
why so much damage can occur.
All of the kneepads on today’s market are beneficial
to the user. It is left up to the individual to decide what
his or her level of comfort is. As their level of comfort
changes, you will see them go from not using knee pads
at all to something that gets that level of comfort back,
thus the multitude of knee pads available.
You may also notice the change in complexity of
the design. Example; foam cushions with straps located
behind the knee joints up through to a fully engineered
kneeling device.
We understand the ergonomics of kneeling and
5.88 lbs. per lineal inch +/- per knee joint.
Being custom fit, the knee pads ride off the tops
of your feet which, allows us to locate the top straps
approximately 3” below the knee joints. This eliminates
pinching and binding that can cause circulation
problems to your lower legs.
Balancing your body weight across the shins
creates a mechanism, which does not allow over
stretching of the ligaments and muscles of your feet,
when sitting back on your calf muscles. Another
important consideration is the material that’s used for
the cushion.
The latest knee pads use super resilient, soft,
cellular urethane that provides even tension as weight
is applied. This takes the shock out of the day-to-day
kneeling.
Photos and illustrations courtesy ProKnee Corp.
have set very high standards of function that must be
included into a high performance kneepad. The correct
knee pad design promotes a proper kneeling technique,
forcing the knees to respond to the therapy that the
kneepads create. The knee pad should surround the
knee joint area with a knee cup shape, which holds
the joint tight as you kneel. Next, the weight should be
taken off the joints by spreading it out over the length
of the shins.
For example, a 200 lbs. person 5’10” tall, would be
calculated like this, 200 lbs. divided by 2 legs = 100
lbs., divided by the length of the kneeling area, 17” =
June 2015 • 37
Case Study:
Schonöx Products Solve
Substrate Issues
at Penn State South
Halls Renovation
By Jeff Williams
T
he Penn State South Halls project encompassed
the renovation of four residence halls originally
constructed in1956, the construction of one new
residence hall, and the external & internal renovation
of Redifer Commons, a shared space for students. In
business since 1935 and a trusted construction partner
with Penn State University, Nittany Building Specialties
was one of a select group of contractors chosen to work
in a design-assist capacity on the project.
Much of the renovation space in the residence
halls was originally covered with adhesive and tiles
containing asbestos. Those materials had been removed
with chemical remediation, an effective process, but
one that leads to a situation where tile and adhesive
manufacturers will not warrant the
installation of their products over
the remediated surface. Nittany
Building Specialties worked closely
with Spartan Surfaces to specify
a series of Schönox products that
would address the effects of the
remediation process, allow the
tile and adhesive manufacturers
to warrant the installation, and
address a number of other subfloor
challenges.
Having undergone an asbestos
abatement process, the substrate
had residual chemicals within it
leading to warranty issues with the
proposed new flooring installation.
In addition, the concrete subfloor
was uneven with pits, valleys, and
high spots throughout the space.
Before - Existing Subfloor
Preparation
A series of Schönox products were specified that
would address all of the substrate challenges. Schönox
EPA, a two-component epoxy based moisture mitigation
system, provided the solution for covering the chemically
abated substrate. Schönox EPA was applied with rollers
directly to the concrete substrate.
Priming: Schönox SHP
Schönox SHP, special acrylic
primer, was then applied with
a roller on top of the Schönox
EPA providing a surface that will
bond well with the self-leveling
compound to be used next.
Schönox SHP contains no VOCs
and dries in 1 to 2 hours.
Leveling: Schönox AP
Schönox AP, synthetic gypsum
self-leveling compound, was poured
throughout the space providing a
smooth surface with a compressive
strength of 5400psi. Free of
chromates and VOCs, Schönox AP
contributes to LEED credits.
Special dust-reduced properties within Schönox AP
keep dust to a minimal level. Created using a byproduct
of the process used to purify power plant emissions, AP
is a strong environmental choice as well as a superior
leveling compound.
Renovated Subfloor by Schönox
Schönox AP was designed with refurbishment
projects in mind allowing subfloors to be covered and
renovated rather than demolished with other costly
processes. Schönox AP does not shrink or crack. The
renovated subfloor will be ready for flooring installation
in 24 to 48 hours. The tile and adhesive manufacturer
fully warranted the new installation after the subfloor
process was completed with Schönox products.
After - Renovated Subfloor by Schönox
Priming - Schönox SHP
Project Name: Penn State South Halls Renovation
Project Location: Penn State University,
(PSU)-State College, PA
Project Manager: Barton Malow Company
Contractor: Nittany Building Specialties
existing substrate:concrete, post asbestos remediation
Products Used: Schönox EPA, SHP, and AP
Flooring Product: LVT
Photos courtesy Schönox
June 2015 • 39
PROINSTALLER
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W.F. Taylor releases video for Acous-Tec
Sound Reducing Liquid Underlayment
W.F. Taylor Co., Inc. has released its first promotional video for its
Taylor Acous-Tec Sound Reducing Liquid Underlayment Patch and
Leveler. Designed for all floating floor systems (vinyl tile/plank,
laminate, and wood) to reduce sound transmission, Acous-Tec’s
multifunctional attributes are highlighted in the video, including how
to install the liquid underlayment and how installers can save time,
money and waste. The video can be found on W.F. Taylor’s website.
For more information, circle 102 on the Free Information
Card, or call (800) 868-4583; www.wftaylor.com
AC•Tech products for
solving moisture issues
Go-Early Technology for vapor
reduction plus alkalinity control
and slab protection from AC•Tech
comes in one system and is applied
in one step. Select the 2170 System
for vapor reduction and alkalinity
issues in concrete slabs. Use Go-Early
Technology before the walls go up.
The Oil Buster System is for slab
reclamation to remove hydrocarbons
and organic chemical contaminants.
Free technical support offered. For
information, circle 101 on the
Free Information Card, or call (800) 607-5523; www.actechperforms.com
MP Global Products’ Quiet
Warmth Film for use with
floating wood/laminate products
MP Global Products introduces QuietWarmth
Film, a gentle radiant heat system designed for
floating wood and laminate floors that installs
easily over a subfloor or acoustic underlayment.
The roll-out line voltage system features gradual
supplemental warmth from low wattage
resistance heating of ultra-thin, flexible radiant
heat film, using just 6 watts per sq. ft. For
information, circle 202 on the Free Info
Card or call (888) 379-9695,
www.quietwalk.com
Moisture Measurement in
Concrete Slabs webinar
Wagner Meters is proud to offer,
“Moisture Measurement in Concrete
Slabs,” a webinar presented by Howard
Kanare, a leading expert on concrete moisture issues. Kanare speaks
about breakthrough scientific data that
seriously challenges what we have believed regarding traditional methods
for moisture testing of concrete slabs.
This free presentation was created to
bring you the most current information on accurate moisture testing of
concrete slabs.
When: For times and dates please visit
online at: www.moisturewebinar.com
or email [email protected]
or call 541.582.0541.
•
•
•
•
Easiest to comply with ASTM F2170
10 Times FASTER
Lowest Cost/Test
Simplest to Use
U.S. Patent 7,231,815 & 8,047,056 . Additional patents pending
The Moisture Measurement L eader
RapidRH.com
1.800.795.9912
Registration: This webinar is available
by invitation only and online seating
is limited. Please contact Wagner
Meters today to reserve your seat for
this ground-breaking presentation.
FOR ULTIMATE
PROTECTION AGAINST STAINS,
TRUST FUSION PRO.
¡¡Unsurpassed Stain Resistance
¡¡Never Needs Sealing
¡¡Easy to Spread and Clean
¡¡Ultimate Color Consistency
CUSTOM’s unique single component formula installs quickly, won’t shade,
mottle or effloresce and delivers exceptional stain resistance without ever
needing to be sealed. Accept no substitute.
Patented 8,349,068, 8,357,238, 8,876,966
Ask about Fusion Pro today.
CustomBuildingProducts.com
800-272-8786
Available at The Home Depot
and tile distributors nationwide.
PROINSTALLER
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Homelux Waterproof Underlayment protects/seals
against water and moisture in grout joints, tile
Homelux Waterproof Underlayment protects against water and related damages to any construction
or building. Product allows movement to help prevent cracking to grout joints or tile. Homelux
Waterproof Underlayment is a permanent waterproofing and crack prevention product that is easy to
apply and backed by a 10-year guarantee. For information, circle 105 on the Free Info Card
or call (561) 994-5550, www.qepcorporate.com; www.homeluxusa.com
Bona unveils new R851 Adhesive
New from Bona is its R851 Adhesive, a new
generation, one component, silane-based
wood flooring adhesive formulated to provide
exceptional green grab strength. Its elastomeric
characteristics allow the adhesive to move with the
wood as it expands and contracts over the life of
the floor. For information, circle 157 on the
Free Info Card, or call (877) 289-2662;
www.bona.com
Custom Building Products’ Fusion
Pro Designer Series Grout
New from Custom Building Products is a collection
of eight designer-inspired reflective color accents.
Designed to dazzle and accentuate tile installations,
Fusion Pro Design Series delivers all the performance
of Custom’s Fusion Pro Single Component Grout. For
more information, circle 119 on the Free
Information Card, or call (800) 272-8786;
www.custombuildingproducts.com
TRAMEX CMEX SYSTEM
MOISTURE TESTING TO THE HIGHEST STANDARDS
INSTANT, NONDESTRUCTIVE SUBSURFACE MOISTURE CONTENT TESTS PER ASTM F
HELP DETERMINE WHERE AND HOW TO PERFORM ASTM F
REUSABLE HYGROI RH PROBES SAVE TIME AND MONEY
WOOD MOISTURE CONTENT, AMBIENT TEMPERATURE, RELATIVE HUMIDITY, DEW POINT AND GRAINS/LB
  
.
@.
PROINSTALLER
P Get the Scoop
Schönox’s new app offers installation, product answers
The new Schönox App, available in both the Google Play Store and the Apple iTunes
Store, provides information for each of the company’s products, a product usage
calculator, video-based installer tips, and a GPS-enabled tool to find your sales
representative. “Installers and flooring professionals are on the move and need
information quickly where they are,” explained HPS Schönox’s Thomas Trissl. For
information, circle 162 on the Free Info Card, or call (855) 391-2649;
www.hpsubfloors.com
H.B. Fuller adds Crack Isolation
Sheet Membrane to TEC System
H.B. Fuller Construction Products has added a new surface
preparation product to its TEC system. The new TEC Crack Isolation
Sheet Membrane is an easy-to-use peel and stick underlayment
designed to accompany TEC mortars and grouts for time-sensitive,
hard surface flooring commercial installations. For more
information, circle 222 on the Free Information Card, or
call (800) 832-9023; www.tecspecialty.com
Powerhold installation products
available in Canada and United States
The Floor Covering Distributor Alliance, and its brand POWERHOLD, are
exclusively represented by the top sundry distributors and manufacturers in
the industry. With almost 200 locations throughout Australia/New Zealand,
Canada, and the United States, they can provide you with the best products in
all price categories. For a nearby distributor location, circle 242 on
the Free Info Card; www.Powerhold.com
Faster, Stronger, Better...
t
e
l
l
u
B
n
e
d
l
o
G
The
(800) 394-9310
www.DriTac.com
• Unlimited Subfloor Moisture Control
• No Moisture Testing Required!
• Lifetime Warranty
• Unlimited Wood Plank: Width, Length, Thickness
• Moisture Cure Urethane Adhesive
• Sound Control
• Crack Suppressant
• Zero VOC/Solvent Formula
®
Made In USA
4-In-1 Premium “Green” Sound/Moisture Control
Urethane Wood Flooring Adhesive
Lea Crooker’s husband
Steve is a flooring
installer from New
Hampshire. Shortly
after their second
child, Abigail, was born
she was diagnosed with
cancer which lead to hospital visits, long
nights and endless worry.
Good thing someone told them
about the Floor Covering
Industry
“The Foundation has given us peace of
Foundation.
mind that we would never have been
able to attain by ourselves. It allows us
not to worry so much about financial
difficulty due to medical expenses…
I don’t know what we would be doing
without the Foundation’s assistance.”
Thank you,
Lea & Steve
The
Cro
oke
r Fa
mily
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. Lea and Steve Crooker wanted to share his story with the public to show his appreciation to the FCIF and give it a human face so that others may be aware of its efforts.
PROINSTALLER
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Bathroom Waterproofing/Sound Control System
Super SAM® 125 Sheet Membrane/SubSeal® Liquid Membrane
G
F
E
C
D
MAPEI’s Modified Mortar Bed
makes a great render
MAPEI’s Modified Mortar Bed is a premixed, cement-based, polymermodified thick-bed and render mortar that includes a blend of select
aggregates. Rather than requiring the use of a latex additive, it
only needs mixing with water to produce a thick-bed mortar with
exceptional strength. For more information, circle 180 on the
Free Information Card, or call (800) 426-2734;
www.mapei.com
B
A: NAC Primer
B: Super SAM® 125 Membrane
C: SubSeal® Over Butt-Joint
D: Outside Corner
E: Seam Tape
F: Inside Corner
G: SubSeal® on Wall
National Flooring
Equipment’s Spartan Scarifiers
engineered for steadiness
Extreme waterproofing and sound
control with NAC Products
Built for both light- and heavy-duty surface preparations,
including coatings, overlayments, floor covering
installation and more, National Flooring Equipment’s
Spartan Scarifiers are engineered with centrally located
weight to stay steadily in the cut. An adjustable handle
and tri-wheel eradicator enables these machines to tip
back and tilt side-to-side. All are built with solid-welded
steel construction. Choose from 3”, 6.5”, 8”, or 10”
cutting heads. For information, circle 128 on the
Free Info Card, or call (800) 245-0267;
www.nationalequipment.com
NAC has developed a series of drawings that show
a variety of bathroom installation options that bring
NAC membranes together to provide sound control and
waterproofing solutions. The drawings are not instructions
on how to install the system, but a visual representation
of the products involved for various membrane system
options for bathrooms. For more information, circle
206 on the Free Information Card, or call (800)
633-4622; www.nacproducts.com
Lignomat Moisture Meters
Avoid Costly
Mistakes
Celebrating 40 Years
in Flooring Protection!
Complete Installer and
Inpection Kit
4-in-one Ligno-VersaTec
Pkg V2-1KM
• Dual Depth Meter
• Pin Meter
• Thermo-Hygrometer
• Concrete RH Meter
800-227-2105
www.lignomat.com
www.wood-moisture.com
email: [email protected]
PROINSTALLER
PGet the Scoop
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U Card to Receive
C MoreTDetails! S
Diarex Continuous
Rim Saw Blade from
Gran Quartz cuts
porcelain, glass,
granite, quartzite
Available from GranQuartz
is the Diarex Continuous Rim
Bridge Saw Blade. With its
Pattern Diamond Technology,
Diarex is designed to cut
granite, porcelain, glass, and
quartzite. Additional features
include a 60mm arbor with
50mm reducing ring and
standard core. There are two
sizes available – 14” and
16”. For information, circle 107 on the Free Info Card or call (800)
458-6222, www.granquartz.com
Waterproof,
Period!
Liquid Waterproofing and
Crack Supression Membrane
SubSeal® is a ready-to-use elastomeric
waterproofing membrane which also functions
as a sealant, stand
alone crack suppressant
DriTac 4141 Golden Bullet
wood flooring adhesive
provides moisture control
without testing
The Golden Bullet provides unlimited
subfloor moisture control with no
testing required and a lifetime
warranty, according to the company.
Manufactured in the USA, The
Golden Bullet, DriTac 4141 is a
single-component, premium green
sound and moisture control wood
flooring adhesive that also acts as a
crack suppressant.
For information, circle 169 on
the Free Info Card or call (973)
614-9000;
www.dritac.com
and moisture barrier. Easily applied
with a trowel, brush, roller or airless sprayer,
SubSeal® has superior adhesion to the substrate
and meets ANSI A118.10 and ANSI A118.12 for
thin-bed, load bearing waterproof membranes.
Perfect solution for
bathrooms, kitchens,
exterior decks
- areas where
• • •• •• •• • • • • ••••••••••••••
(available in 1 or 5 gallon sizes)
Tramex Hole-Liners for ASTM F2170;
relative humidity testing of concrete
Tramex has upgraded its hole-liners used for ASTM F2170 in situ relative
humidity testing of concrete. These hole-liners have been designed to
be even easier to cut and insert, as well as having more malleable
circumferential fins for optimum isolation of the airspace under test. For
information, circle 165 on the Free Info Card, or call (970)
488-1898; www.tramexmeters.com
is needed!
(800)633-4622
w w w . n a c p r o d u c t s . c o m
June 2015 • 47
PROINSTALLER
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LATICRETE launches Plasma
ready-to-use grout
Wagner unveils reusable RH sensor
LATICRETE has added PLASMA to its family of grout
products. Built on a new technology platform, PLASMA
is crack and stain resistant, and does not require
sealing. PLASMA provides early strength development,
easy workability and stain resistance that inhibits the
growth of mold and mildew in grout joints. PLASMA
also provides a uniform color without blotchiness or
shading, contains a non-yellowing UV-stable formula,
and is cleanable to the original color, according to
the company. Comes in 1 gal. pails in 20 colors, plus
a translucent formulation for residential/commercial
interior/exterior use on floors and walls with ceramic,
glass and stone tile. For information, circle 214
on the Free Info Card, or call (800) 243-4788;
www.laticrete.com
Wagner Meters is introducing the new Rapid RH5.0
Smart Sensor, a reusable relative humidity (RH) sensor for
testing moisture in concrete. According to the company,
the unit reduces time-consuming calibration checks while
reducing initial costs. Every Rapid RH 5.0 Smart
Sensor features its own EasyCare CalCheck, a
patent-pending consistent RH generator that
functions as a protective base.
For information, circle 136 on the Free
Information Card, or
call (541) 582-0541;
www.rapidrh.com
Ligno-Scanner from Lignomat touts true
dual-depth capabilities
Unique Ligno-Scanner SDM dual-depth, pinless meter
adjusts for the different volumes measured with two different
calibration settings for each wood species. This allows
measurements of engineered wood products.
The meter also features vertical, horizontal and strand
bamboo, measured on the ¼” depth setting. For
information, circle 198 on the Free Info Card or
call (800) 227-2105; www.lignomat.com
Advertiser Index
Use the information below to contact this issue’s advertisers about products and services. For product information, use the Free Info Card by circling the appropriate number on the card and then returning
to ProInstaller Magazine via fax or mail. The Advertiser Index is provided as a service to our readers. No liability is created for any inadvertent errors or omissions.
Company Name
AC•TECH
Bona US
Dri-Tac
Floor Covering Industry Foundation
HPS North America
Laticrete International Lignomat USA Ltd.
MAPEI
MP Global Products L.L.C.
NAC Products
National Flooring Equipment
Pearl Abrasive Co.
Powerhold - FCDA
Powerhold - FCDA
Primatech
ProKnee
QEP Co. - Homelux
Royal Adhesives & Sealants
Stauf
TEC
Tramex
Wagner Meters
Wagner Meters
Page
Free Info #
Website
4921www.actechperforms.com
17
9
www.bona.com
7
4
41
14
4417www.dritac.com
45
18
www.fcif.org
2
1
www.hpsubfloors.com
55
23
www.laticrete.com
46
19
www.lignomat.com
5 3www.mapei.com
23
12
www.quietwalk.com
47
20
www.nacproducts.com
3
2
www.nationalequipment.com
25
13
www.pearlabrasive.com
13
7
www.powerhold.com
43
16
www.powerhold.com
15
8
www.primatech.ca
11 6www.proknee.com
19
10
www.homeluxusa.com
9
5
www.parabond.com
5624www.staufusa.com
2111www.tecspecialty.com
4215www.tramexltd.com
40
13
www.wagnermeters.com
50
22
www.RapidRH.com
Telephone
800-607-5523
800-272-8786
800-272-8786
800-394-9310
714-634-0302
855-391-2649
800-243-4788
800-227-2105
888-876-2734
888-379-9695
800-633-4622
800-245-0267
800-969-5561
800-363-1962
877-776-5633
561-994-5550
800-763-7272x1338
866-GLUEUSA
800-552-6225
970-488-1898
800-795-9914
800-795-9912
www.proin
stallermaga
zine.com
•
$6
Special Issu
e:
Flooring Iss
ues/Solutio
ns
PROINSTALLER
P Get the Scoop
Parabond EMC 4011 combines
adhesive/moisture control system
Parabond EMC (Easy Moisture Control) 4011 is a
premium one-part moisture cure urethane adhesive
and moisture control system in one product. When
applied with the company’s patented trowel
included with each pail, EMC provides both
adhesion and moisture protection when installing
solid, engineered, acrylic impregnated, and
parquet wood flooring.
Does not require
moisture testing in new
construction concrete
applicationst. For
information, circle
111 on the Free Info
Card or call (800)
763-7272; www.
parabond.com
Primatech 250 pneumatic nailer
features versatility, comfort, speed and
precision
Available from Primatech Inc. is the Primatech 250
pneumatic nailer in the L, T or S configurations. All nailer
versions offer unsurpassed versatility and provide speed,
comfort, precision and reach. Fastening 1/2” to 33/32”
flooring boards with multi-enhancement accessories, it is
configurable for all types of installations from residential
to gymnasium. For information, circle 209 on the
Free Info Card or call (800) 363-1962;
www.primatech.ca
New Powerhold Premium Cutters
available in U.S., Canada, Australia
New from Powerhold are 9” and 13” Premium Cutters, designed to cut engineered hardwood,
laminate, vct, lvt tile and plank, rubber and carpet tile. The unit features a comfortable rubber
handle and a fast-click extended handle. Available at 200 locations throughout the United States,
Canada and Australia. For a nearby distributor location, circle 219 on the Free Info
Card; www.Powerhold.com
ADD AClTECH INNOVATION
TO YOUR RETROFIT TOOLBOX!
1.800.607.5523 | www.actechperforms.com
June 2015 • 49
PROINSTALLER
P Get the Scoop
ProKnee kneepads available with several options
ProKnee kneepads are available in 18 different lengths and two widths,
Standard 0714 (pictured on the left), and Wide 0714E models, to ensure a
custom fit for all customers. Both models are available with 5/8” or 1” foam
inserts. For more information, circle 231 on the Free Info Card, or
call (800) 549-5018; www.proknee.com
Stauf’s two-component epoxy
sealer offers adhesive, sealer
system in one
Stauf ERP 270 is a two component (one
container) epoxy sealer used for excessive
subfloor moisture mitigation. A moisture barrier
of up to 18#’s or 97% RH may be achieved at
an applied rate of 140 sq. ft. per gallon or a
moisture barrier of up to 25#’s or 100% RH may
be achieved at an applied rate of 70 sq. ft. per
gallon. Coupled with its ability to apply adhesive
directly to the epoxy sealer, Stauf’s ERP 270 offers a complete
adhesive and sealer system without costly steps in between. For
information, circle 141 on the Free Info Card or call
(866) GLUE USA, (866-458-3872); www.staufusa.com
Pearl Abrasive Tuscan SeamClip leveling system
requires no tools for lippage free installations
The Tuscan SeamClip is an innovative one piece edge leveling system
product that requires no installation tools, no soaking, and will greatly assist
most anyone in the installation of stone, ceramic, marble, granite and some
large format tiles. Its straightforward easy to use design helps creates a
virtual lippage free installation when used on floors or walls.
For information, circle 215 on the Free Info Card or call (800)
969-5561; www.pearlabrasive.com
Quick Tip:
Achieving Success with
Large Format Tile Installations
By Steve Taylor, Director of Technical and Architectural
Marketing, Custom Building Products
T
The TCNA has established that any tile with
one or more edges
greater than 15”-long
qualifies as a large
format tile.
Photos courtesy Custom Building Products
he design trend towards larger
and longer ceramic tiles means
installers need to know how to
successfully set large format tile for
durability and crack prevention.
The Tile Council of North
America (TCNA) has established
that any tile with one or more edges
greater than 15”-long qualifies as a
large format tile. This includes 6” x
24” tiles as well as today’s 36”- and
48”-long tiles.
All large format tiles require
special care during installation.
Many will have a curl or warp to
them and the center may be higher
than the edges. Any cavities must be
completely filled with mortar to support the weight they will carry. The
required mortar thickness is often
greater than the maximum allowable
1/4” for normal thin-set mortars.
These installations require the
use of a Modified Dry-Set Cement
Mortar for Large and Heavy Tile.
Such mortars can be applied up to
3/4” thick to prevent voids under the
tile. The correct size large-notched
trowel, up to 1/2” x 1/2” x 1/2”, will
help to meet the 80% coverage
(Above and left) Any cavities must be completely filled with mortar to support the weight
they will carry.
requirement (95% for wet areas) specified by the TCNA. Back
buttering tile may be necessary to achieve this coverage.
Installing tile with a 33% offset instead of a 50% offset is
recommended to reduce lippage.
Mortar on the substrate must be troweled in one direction
forming straight, parallel ridges. As the tile is embedded in the
mortar and rocked back and forth perpendicular to the ridges,
the ridges collapse releasing air. This helps to assure full support
without air pockets or voids that can weaken the bond.
June 2015 • 51
Quick Tip:
Treating Contaminated Concrete
in Renovation Projects
By Penny Czarra, AC•TECH
Photos courtesy AC•TECH
M
ost work in the flooring
industry comes from the
renovation, repurposing,
and retrofitting of existing buildings.
Not surprising when you think
about it. Ground-up construction
represents only 2-3% of the total US
construction market every year.
LEED certification is an important
growth driver in the marketplace
because it encourages renovation
(uses less material, among other
things). Repurposing/retrofitting/
renovation makes good economic
Most work in the flooring industry comes from the
renovation, repurposing, and retrofitting of existing
buildings.
Contractors will increasingly need to deal with
concrete contamination in the course of their flooring
business.
sense for building owners, too.
Contractors will increasingly
need to deal with concrete
contamination in the course of their
flooring business.
1.Warehouses, building
landmarks, and assembly plants
being repurposed for residential,
hospitality and commercial use
will generally reveal concrete
slabs contaminated with oil,
grease, industrial chemicals,
chlorinated hydrocarbons and
other organic substances.
2.School and office buildings
undergoing long-overdue flooring
upgrades will commonly confront
stubborn residues from soy-based
adhesive-removers residing within
the slab.
3.Shopping mall conversions
and retail tenant build-outs will
often expose a concrete floor
contaminated by the previous use
(cooking oils, cleaning liquids,
blood, sugar, and so on).
These types of organic contaminants
do not just reside on the surface of
the concrete slab being prepared
for a new flooring solution. These
contaminants have generally seeped
down into the concrete slab and
will continually migrate back up to
the surface – no matter how many
times one cleans it. These types
of contaminants create serious
and persistent bond breakers for
adhesives, epoxy floor coatings, and
Contractors can add the value-added service of
treating contaminated slabs prior to final flooring
installation.
other final flooring systems.
One new value added service
that contractors can add to their
current flooring business is the
treatment of these contaminated
slabs prior to final flooring
installation. Products are available
to treat these contaminated slabs
and provide against delamination
caused by hydrocarbon migration
back to the slab/flooring surface.
The products should be nontoxic, solvent free, biodegradable
detergent and a very dense, oil
resistant, two-component epoxy
coating. It is a valuable and
proven solution to offer customers
and to add to your renovation
contract bids.
Quick Tip:
How to Conquer Concrete Moisture
Control, Old Adhesive Removal
By Larry Scott, Vice President of Field Technical Services, DriTac
Moisture control continues to be a major installation issue, along with old
adhesive removal. Shown is installer
applying adhesive after moisture
remediation.
R
esilient flooring has become
a major segment of the
flooring industry in recent
years. Luxury vinyl tile and plank
and fiberglass back sheet vinyl
have gained tremendous market
share and continue on an upward
trend. Carpet tile and cork flooring
have also picked up momentum as
eco-friendly, cost-effective flooring
options many consumers desire.
Regardless of floor type, two
major obstacles continue to hamper
the flooring installation industry:
concrete moisture control and old
adhesive residue. These two issues
alone cost the flooring industry
invaluable time and money on a
multitude of installations every year.
Concrete moisture control
typically involves the application
of a vapor barrier, which can take
upwards of 16 to 24 hours to cure
before the flooring can be installed.
Additionally, many remodel/
replacement jobs have existing
adhesive residue on the substrate
that may be difficult to completely
remove. Bead blasting and skim
coating are two time-consuming
and expensive options that have
traditionally been utilized to remove
and/or isolate old adhesive residue.
New products have been
introduced to the market to handle
these situations. These products
fast-drying concrete moisture control
system and adhesive isolation
membrane allow installers
to apply a moisture
mitigation system and
install their floor on the
same day. Many of these
products can be rollerapplied, are extremely
easy-to-use, offer a zero
VOC zero solvent and
low odor formula that
also serves to isolate
old adhesive residue,
including cutback.
These
multifunctional, ecofriendly products can
be used over porous
concrete to help reduce
penetration of the adhesive and
dusting of the concrete, which will
result in increased spread rates.
June 2015 • 53
Quick Tip:
Telegraphy –
Checking the Sly Enemy
By Dominique Dion, Primatech
S
urface deformation, dimple effect, telegraphy…
you name it. It has ruined many professional jobs,
and therefore remains a constant threat. Above
and beyond the generally recommended precautions,
there are mitigating factors related to the flooring
instrumentation, as R & D and the development of new
generation flooring tools are continuously indicating.
Here are the three components of the solution.
The Precise Alignment of the Fastener
Whether it’s a nail or a staple (and particularly
a staple), the fastener has to penetrate the flooring
board at the most suitable point of entry considering
its composition and thickness. The angle of penetration
itself is not the prime factor, as it is just about the same
on current tools.
Defeating telegraphy starts with a very fine capacity
of adjustment for the tool on the board, which is not
available everywhere. With an ultra-precise adjustment
system, the entire machine is placed toward the edge of
the board, moving it vertically and horizontally, as well
as to and from the contact point of the base.
The Regulation of the Impact
Of paramount importance is the impact given to the
fastener as it penetrates the flooring material. It has to
be perfectly focused and constant. A manual job can
not achieve that much finesse and regularity, because
a human stroke is influenced by fatigue, changes in
position, concentration and so on. A pneumatic tool
would give better results, provided its firing mechanism
is self regulating.
The Choice of Fastener
It all begins with the primary agent of telegraphy:
the fastener. It has been found that a staple generates
greater risk of telegraphy than a nail, as its crown
crushes the flooring material upon penetrating, whereas
the nail tends to open its way into it. However, the
profile and configuration of the nail also matter.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact
us by calling (800) 363-1962, or
visit: www.primatech.ca.
Deformation caused by standard tools
Typical deformation observed with the
250 / 550 Tools
Charts courtesy of Primatech
STRATA_MAT
™
The Next Generation Uncoupling Mat
Mortar Hydration Vents
Accelerates thin-set curing for faster dry time of
porcelain and larger format tiles – grout the next day
Mechanical Bond
Thin-set mortar forms a mechanical bond to
STRATA_MAT™ surface for greater strength
Instant Coverage Verification
Translucent color indicates proper mortar
coverage under STRATA_MAT
LIFETIME*
Warranty
For use with modified thin-set mortars
Single source supply
■
ASTM C627 (Robinson) - EXTRA HEAVY
Snap for more information
Easy layout - Chalk lines are easily visible
Anti-fracture protection - Helps prevent cracks
■
45" (1.1m) roll width - Covers floor area fast
■
■
■
■
www.laticrete.com
l 1.800.243.4788
A-5768-0415 *See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information.
©2015 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.
Globally Proven
Globally Proven
Construction
Solutions
Construction Solutions
SEALED IT.
ERP 270
PERMA-SEAL
®
Stauf ERP-270 is a two component (one container) EPOXY SEALER used for
excessive subfloor moisture mitigation. A moisture barrier of up to 18#’s or
97% RH may be achieved at an applied rate of 140 sq ft per gallon. Or, a moisture barrier of up to
25#’s or 100% RH may be achieved at an applied rate of 70 sq ft per gallon. So what’s with the
aquarium? The aquarium is made out of particle board coated with ERP-270. We did it to prove a
point. If ERP-270 can protect this particle board subjected to this much moisture, imagine what it can
do for your moisture mitigation installation.
Changing the way you install again... Stick with what works!
ADHESIVES SINCE 1828
www.staufusa.com
866.GLUEUSA

Special Issue:

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