floor prep

Topically Applied Slab Densifiers

Spray-on Concrete Slab Densifiers, Hardeners & Moisture Cures

Slab DensifiersThese 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 moisture sensitive floor coverings.

Essentially they work exactly the same as the silicoids that are entrained into the concrete prior to its placement such as (more…)

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Remove Baseboards Without Damage

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 a nail out the same way you put it in?

Now, far be it for me to think this article will be some great teaching instrument for the already accomplished flooring professional. It’s not aimed at pros because they already know this stuff. This is for the new helper, or maybe the homeowner, do-it-yourselfer and home improvement wannabe. It’s for anyone who has slapped their forehead when they realized it’s gonna take more than just a little bit of new base to cover the damages you caused when trying to remove baseboards with brute force. (more…)

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Bed Bugs Infesting Carpet

creepy-crawly bed bugsHave 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…)

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Plywood Underlayment Direction

Impact of Plywood Underlayment Direction¹

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:

  • face grain of plywood shall run perpendicular to joists for maximum stiffness.

Should the tile contractor or other interested parties be concerned whether or not the plywood underlayment runs perpendicular to the joists? (more…)

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Cement Boards Over a Slab

Using Cement Boards Over Concrete Slab Construction

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…)

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Ceramic & Stone Tile Underlayments

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…)

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