Spray-on Concrete Slab Densifiers, Hardeners & Moisture Cures These products, commonly referred to as "slab densifiers," are just different types of silicoid densifiers added to the concrete mix before the pour that have been on the market for over thirty years. They are finding new markets because of all the issues surrounding concrete moisture and…
How many times have you damaged the walls trying to remove baseboards? Maybe you've seen the damaging results of someone else's efforts to remove baseboards from the wall. Or those craters on the face of the base when the nails have been pulled out? Who would have thought you'd ruin the board if you pulled…
Have you ever gone to a house to do an estimate for new flooring and detected an odor of insecticide? And maybe the carpet doesn’t look all that worn or old? The combination of the 2 might mean there were bed bugs in the carpet. Some home owners (or hotel/motel/rental managers) may be embarrassed to mention it, but don’t hesitate to bring the subject up. (more…)
Jim McClain grew up in rural Plumas County, CA. After a short, but exciting stint in the US Army, where he dodged work in Germany and incoming rounds in Vietnam, he settled back into country living and took a part-time job as an installer’s helper to work his way through college. He fell in love with the business and turned it into a career. Retiring from sales & installations in 2006, he still carries on his love affair with the industry through the use of a computer, a digital camera and a little space in “teh Ether”.
By Frank Woeste and Peter Nielsen
Beginning in 2007, the TCA Handbook for Ceramic Tile Installation listed in bold print the following requirement for two-layer wood sheathing installation methods:
Should the tile contractor or other interested parties be concerned whether or not the plywood underlayment runs perpendicular to the joists? (more…)
It seems that ceramic tile installation has an abundance of myths that pop up all too frequently regarding Do-It-Yourselfers on “help forums” and DIY websites. So-called tile experts offer advice and opinions based on, well… I’m not sure what some of the comments are based on or where some people get their (mis)information to tell you the truth. I want to address the subject of installing cement board products over a concrete substrate.
It is imagined by some that products like Durock, Hardibacker and others can be used to fix imperfections in the surface of concrete or to override a previously painted or sealed concrete surface. Installing tile over painted or sealed surfaces is usually not good practice. (more…)
Bud Cline is a native of the St. Louis Missouri area. After early stints at various service jobs, a tile installer bloomed in 1976. Bud has been a flooring professional ever since. He has been married to his beautiful wife since 1981 and enjoys his three great kids. When he isn’t being with family and friends, installing tile, or spending time at The Floor Pro Community, Bud spends some of his precious spare time lake fishing.
Of the entire inventory of floor covering products on today’s market, ceramic and stone tiles probably lend themselves more to do-it-yourself home improvement projects than almost any other flooring product but there are rules and special underlayments required to insure a proper and lasting installation.
Tile in its elementary form is easy to install. It doesn’t take long to get the hang of it, however if you research installing ceramic tile you will find that the techniques are many and there are in fact absolute rules that should be followed to insure a suitable return on your investment. (more…)
Bud Cline is a native of the St. Louis Missouri area. After early stints at various service jobs, a tile installer bloomed in 1976. Bud has been a flooring professional ever since. He has been married to his beautiful wife since 1981 and enjoys his three great kids. When he isn’t being with family and friends, installing tile, or spending time at The Floor Pro Community, Bud spends some of his precious spare time lake fishing.