Floor Covering Installer Oct-Nov 2011

OCT/NOV 2011

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The Basics of Cracked Tile Prevention p. 8 Moisture Testing p. 18 Installing Flooring Over Lightweight Substrates p. 22

300 sq. ft. of Backerboard

vs.

300 sq. ft. of EasyMat

Two installers unload over 800 lbs. of material

One installer unloads under 30 lbs. of material

– 20 sheets of 1/4" backerboard – 3 bags of thin-set – 6 boxes of screws – Roll of tape

– 1 roll of EasyMat – 1 gallon of Peel & Stick Primer

9:00 am

®

Roll on primer Roll out EasyMat

Begin laying backerboard 10:00 am

Begin setting tile 1/4 of floor prepared 10:30 am

1/2 of floor prepared 11:00 am

Floor fully prepared 12:00 pm Clean up

Begin setting tile 12:30 pm

Faster. Easier. Smarter. ®

EasyMat Tile and Stone Underlayment is revolutionizing floor preparation for tile setting with its lightweight material and peel & stick backing. This versatile, easy-to-install underlayment installs quickly without sacrificing performance. EasyMat provides an exceptionally strong, bonded crack-prevention system that is eligible for a lifetime warranty.

800-272-8786 www.custombuildingproducts.com

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October/November 2011 ■ Volume 18, No. 5

F eatures

8 13

The Basics of Cracked Tile Prevention

18

Moisture Testing

22

Installing Flooring Over Lightweight Substrates

On the cover: Photo courtesy of Elastilon.

FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER Volume 18, Issue 5 (ISSN 1099-9647) is published 7 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/ Apr, May/Jun, Jul, Aug/Sep, Oct/Nov and Dec, by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 22801 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills, CA 91364. Telephone: (818) 224-8035, Fax: (818) 224-8042. No charge for subscriptions to qualified individuals. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in the U.S.A.: $115.00 USD. Annual rate for subscriptions to nonqualified individuals in Canada: $149.00 USD (includes GST & postage); all other countries: $165.00 (int’l mail) payable in U.S. funds. Printed in the U.S.A. Copyright 2011, by BNP Media II, L.L.C. All rights reserved. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without the consent of the publisher. The publisher is not responsible for product claims and representations. Canada Post: Publications Mail Agreement #40612608. GST account: 131263923. Send returns (Canada) to Pitney Bowes, P.O. Box 25542, London, ON, N6C 6B2. Change of address: Send old address label along with new address to FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER, P.O. Box 2149, Skokie, IL 60076. For single copies or back issues: contact Ann Kalb at (248) 244-6499 or KalbR@ bnpmedia.com.

All FCI “How-To” articles are written to provide insight into some of the key steps, tools and accessories required to professionally carry out the subject technique or installation. Be sure to obtain the product manufacturer’s installation/specification manuals and follow the company’s recommendations. More detailed and product-specific information is available through industry training schools, clinics, seminars and certification programs.

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Cracked tile remains one of the most common problems expressed by consumers considering ceramic tile floors. Dave Gobis explores the history of crack prevention and explains the different products and methods used to address this problem.

Wood Flooring Installation and Framed Construction With framed construction and wood flooring, moisture issues are the primary cause of callbacks and remediations. Mickey Moore offers a detailed case study of moisture problems in a residential wood flooring installation, and offers tips on how to prevent these types of problems.

Problems with moisture in concrete are one of the leading causes of installation failures in resilient flooring, and are preventable when moisture testing is done correctly prior to installation. Christopher Capobianco explains the different methods for moisture testing and details the recent changes to ASTM testing requirements.

Installing any type of flooring over lightweight substrates requires extra precautions in order to prevent costly failures. Jon Namba explains the methods that installers need to utilize when installing any type of flooring over gypsum-based substrates and lightweight concrete.

D epartments 6 12 26 28 30 34 36 37 38 41 42 42

On

Editorial Comment CTEF Tile Tip Resilient Installation Corner Underlayment and Subfloor Preparation Reference Guide A Carpet Installer’s Notebook Green Matters Industry News Products on Display Installation Training Clinics and Schools Advertiser Index/Classifieds Distributor Marketplace Products Spotlight

the Web

Substrate Preparation How well do you know substrate preparation? Find out with this Web-exclusive quiz.

Check out www.fcimag.com for this column, as well as the latest news and products.

October/November 2011

Still the One!

After 30 years, ARDEX K 15® Premium Self-Leveling Underlayment is still the industry standard for self-leveling underlayments and remains the most specified self-leveling underlayment in North America.

When failure is not an option, especially in the most demanding environments flooring professionals turn to ARDEX K 15® more than any other. A highly trusted, fast-track solution for a smooth, flat surface done right the first time…every time!

s Installs over most any substrate sFast-track leveling of floors Walk on 2 to 3 hours Install flooring in just 16 hours sInstall up to 5” with aggregate

YOUR BEST CHOICE FOR INSTALLATION SUCCESS 888-512-7339 CIRCLE 1

www.ardexamericas.com

Editorial

®

by JOHN MOORE

Editorial Staff Diana Brown ■ GROUP PUBLISHER [email protected] Jeff Golden ■ ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER [email protected] John Moore ■ EDITOR [email protected] Dave Foster ■ DIGITAL CONTENT CONSULTANT [email protected] Rick Arvidson ■ SR. ART DIRECTOR Jennifer Allen ■ PRODUCTION MANAGER

Proper Subfloor Preparation Is Critical to Installation Success

Columnists: Michael Hetts, Jon Namba, Mickey Moore, David Gobis, Christopher Capobianco and Ray Thompson.

Publishing & Sales Office 22801 Ventura Blvd., Ste. 115 Woodland Hills, CA 91364 Phone: (818) 224-8035• Fax: (818) 224-8042 For advertising sales information, call (800) 835-4398 Keith Parry ■ NORTHERN REGIONAL MANAGER (973) 248-6097 Scott Daniell ■ SOUTHERN REGIONAL MANAGER (770) 788-6377 Dan Lipman ■ WESTERN REGIONAL MANAGER (818) 224-8035 x 2206 Sharon Ward ■ INSIDE/CLASSIFIED SALES MANAGER (847) 405-4017

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BNP Media II, L.L.C.

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For subscription information or service, please contact Customer Service at: Tel. (847) 763-9534 or Fax (847) 763-9538 or e-mail [email protected]

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List Rental Postal and Email Contacts: Kevin Collopy, Sr. Acct. Mgr. Phone (800) 223-2194 ext 684 [email protected] Michael Costantino, Sr. Acct. Mgr. Phone (800) 223-2194 ext 748 [email protected]

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T T

his year marks the eighth anniversary of FCI’s annual Underlayment and Subfloor Preparation Reference Guide, which has proved to be very popular with our readers. While the subject of underlayment and subfloor preparation might seem to be somewhat limited in scope, this is hardly the case. Problems related to improper subfloor preparation continue to multiply each year, with millions of dollars in damage as a result. Sadly, most of these problems are preventable when correct installation methods are followed. In order to prevent these types of failures, installers need to pay careful attention to all aspects of the jobsite prior to starting any installation. Standing water and mold in HVAC systems should raise a red flag that moisture issues are likely. Before starting any installation, it is critical to make sure that the subflooring is ready to have flooring installed over it. There are now countless specialized products to help installers ensure that subfloors are clean, flat and dry enough to install flooring over. However, in order to use them effectively, installers need to take the time to learn about the latest products and installation methods. With that in mind, this special issue of FCI is jam packed with helpful articles to help installers get up to speed on the correct methods of underlayment selection and installation, as well as subfloor

October/November 2011

preparation. Wood flooring is especially vulnerable to moisture issues related to subflooring, a subject that is addressed by FCI’s resident wood expert Mickey Moore in his article, “Wood Flooring Installation and Framed Construction.” Another category of installations that are experiencing numerous failures are those that are done over lightweight concrete and gypsum-based subfloors. Jon Namba explores the best methods for these types of installations in his article, “Installing Flooring Over Lightweight Substrates.” Moisture testing is a perennial issue for installers, as recommended testing methods vary depending upon the type of flooring to be installed. Resilient flooring expert Christopher Capobianco details the latest updates to the calcium chloride test as well as the proper methods for relative humidity testing, and explains how both methods are complementary to ensure the best substrate prior to installation. These are just a few of the highlights of this special issue; be sure to check out all the articles and columns, as well as the Underlayment and Subfloor Preparation Reference Guide, a handy listing of the latest underlayment and subfloor preprelated products and companies. If there is a subject you would like to see addressed in FCI, be sure to email us your comments and suggestions. FCI

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The Basics of Cracked Tile Prevention by Dave Gobis

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racked tile remains a concern often expressed by customers considering ceramic tile floors. Many have had or heard of experiences where a few tiles cracked some years after installation and no replacement material could be found, necessitating a complete and costly replacement. The concept of crack suppression goes back to the mid ‘80s and was initiated by several manufactures of sheet products. Tile manufactured at that time was not as durable as the popular porcelains of today are, and cracking of tile was quite common. Having heard the concerns of consumers and necessity being the mother of invention, a new segment of the tile industry was born. Our choices are no longer limited to a few products. There are a plethora of crack isolation aids available today. Increased competition has lead to most individual manufacturers marketing a variety of products with varying performance attributes. This article takes a look at some of the basics of trying to prevent cracks in tile installation and what you should expect. It is nearly impossible, even when trying to keep things simple, to not bring up product and installation standards. If I were a salesperson rather than an installer

About the Author

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and technical consultant, I wouldn’t bother because it only makes life more difficult. But, fortunately for me, I have never been a sales person and never will be. So before we go into where and when a membrane is appropriate, what should you and your customer expect? There are few if any guarantees by a manufacturer that a membrane will stop tile cracks from occurring. This is spelled

out in the American National Standard Specification for Crack Isolation Membranes for Thin-set Ceramic Tile and Dimension Stone Installation ANSI A118.12- 05 which says the following; “It should be noted that while crack isolation membranes are intended to minimize the potential for crack propagation from the substrate through the finished tile or stone installation, they may not always be

Installation recommendations on liquid products vary widely. Some require full-fabric application, some require pretreatment of cracks prior to fabric application. One even notes that a fabric is only required if the product must meet standards.

David M. Gobis, a third-generation tile setter, is an independent Technical Consultant. He has been in the trade for over 37 years and owned a successful contracting business for many years prior to his current position. Mr. Gobis is an Author of over 100 trade related articles and a frequent speaker at industry events. He is member of the Construction Specification Institute, International Code Council, American Concrete Institute, National Tile Contractors Technical Committee, voting member of The American National Standards for Ceramic Tile Installation and Setting Materials (ANSI A108/118), American Society for Testing of Materials (ASTM) C-21 Ceramic Whitewares, and Tile Council of America Installation Handbook committees. You can reach Dave via email, [email protected]

October/November 2011

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