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UNDERSTANDING
CRACK ISOLATION P. 30
UNDERLAYMENTS FOR
HARDWOOD, RESILIENT P. 38
MITIGATING MOISTURE
IN WOOD FLOORS P. 42
INSTALLING IN-FLOOR
PLUS : RADIANT HEAT P. 46
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FACT
V
FCI
Installer
FLOOR COVERING
October 2015 Vol. 22, No. 6
30
On the cover: An installation

of Loxcreens ProVa Flex
uncoupling membrane for
ceramic and natural stone tiles,
which is designed to protect
against substrate cracks, stress
and dampness. Tile can be laid
immediately after the membrane
is installed, according to the
company.
38
30
UNDERSTANDING CRACK
FLOOR COVERING INSTALLER

Volume 22, Issue 6 (ISSN: Print 10999647 and Digital 2328-6059) is published 7 times annually, Jan/Feb, Mar/
Apr, May/Jun, July/Aug, Sept, Oct, Nov/
Dec by BNP Media II, L.L.C., 2401 W.
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ISOLATION
Manufacturers of tile-setting materials share their

perspective on the differences between crack
isolation, anti-fracture and uncoupling membranes.
Also discussed are application methods and why
using a membrane is not a substitute for movement/
expansion joints.
38
UNDERLAYMENTS FOR
HARDWOOD, RESILIENT
Departments
6
EDITORIAL COMMENT
DIRECTORS PERSPECTIVE
12 PRODUCT FOCUS
14 MUST HAVE PRODUCTS
Industry experts talk about the installation of

underlayment for hardwood, laminate and resilient
flooring. They go over the importance of subfloor
prep, tackling possible moisture concerns, the
benefits of sound control and other considerations.
18 CTEF TILE TIP
42
MITIGATING MOISTURE IN
34 AVOIDING CRACK ISOLATION FAILURES
WOOD FLOORS
Columnist Roy Reichow explains how vital it is

to figure out a projects moisture levels before
installing hardwood flooring, and ways to correct
imbalances in moisture so the flooring will not fail.
He also cautions on over-drying a floor.
October 2015 I www.fcimag.com
20 INDUSTRY NEWS
36 SOUND CONTROL PRODUCTS GALLERY

46 INSTALLING IN-FLOOR RADIANT HEAT
50 AD INDEX/CLASSIFIED ADS
BEFORE
AFTER
Badly damaged
ordinary gypsum
in a multi-family
housing situation
Floor primed with KH

Fix and Schnox APF
poured directly over
broken gypsum
Ready to go head-to-head with some of your most intimidating subflooring challenges?

Then now is the time to weigh in, grab some Schnox, and show us what youve got. Just submit before and
after pics of your toughest subfloor renovation job along with what Schnox products it took to whip that
subfloor back into shape, and you may win some great prizes. Winners to be announced at Surfaces 2016.
Visit hpsubfloors.com/worstsubfloor for all the details.
HPS North America, Inc. is a TMT America Company
Toll Free: 855.391.2649

www.hpsubfloors.com
FROM THE EDITOR
BY MICHAEL CHMIELECKI, EDITOR
EDITORIAL STAFF
GROUP PUBLISHER: Larry Bagan
baganl@bnpmedia.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR,
FLOORING GROUP: Matthew Spieler
SpielerM@bnpmedia.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR: Jon Namba
jnambacfi@gmail.com
EDITOR: Michael Chmielecki
chmieleckim@bnpmedia.com
ASSISTANT EDITOR: Danielle Clair
ClairD@bnpmedia.com
ASSOCIATE EDITOR: Terra Donnelly
DonnellyT@bnpmedia.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR, TALKFLOOR:
Dave Foster, davefoster@talkfloor.com
SR. ART DIRECTOR: Rick Arvidson
PRODUCTION MANAGER: Jennifer Allen-Wise
MARKETING & TRADE SHOW MANAGER:
Valsa Terron-Khan
ONLINE DEVELOPMENT DIRECTOR:
Nikki Smith
DIRECTORY DEVELOPMENT MANAGER:
Erin Mygal
Personal
Reflections
SALES
ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER,
FLOORING GROUP:
Keith Parry (973) 248-6097
WESTERN ADVERTISING MANAGER:
Janelle Minghine (734) 340-5211
CORPORATE REPRINT MANAGER:
Jill DeVries (248) 244-1726
on A Changing Industry
he year 2015 has been one

of upheaval, changes and
evolutionfor the industry
and also personally.
Industry-wide, there have
been big-name mergers,
big-time reorganizations
and questions about how to
stop a projected shortfall in qualified installers
as the experts retire and not enough bright,
young, hungry installers are attracted to the
field to succeed them.
Personally, this year has also been a massive
upheaval because my fathera brilliant,
hardworking, generous and hilarious hardware
engineer with several patents to his name
that I would never be able to explainpassed
away at 68 after a three-year battle with a
rare and aggressive cancer. My wife and I
were basically living out of my parents (now
parents) house for the final week of his life,
trying to usher him out of confusion and pain
and into a deserved peace. The finality of it
pretty much exploded everything I thought I
understood about my own life, but his strength
and willpower all the way to the end was also
deeply inspiring.
I say this not to garner sympathy or
to exclusively share personal stories in a
professional space. Just, its something that has
been on my mind constantly, and as a writer
doing his best to communicate the truth of
whats going on out there, I couldnt leave this
unannounced in the forum I use to chat with

you all each issue. It might also help explain why
this year of industry upheavals, changes and
evolution feels particularly significant to me.
Just to show you how absolutely surreal
this year has been, consider this. My dad
died a week after the close of the National
Wood Flooring Associations 30th anniversary
celebration, which ran in late April until
May 1. While industry professionals were
out networking, catching a Cardinals game
and learning about the newest hardwood
flooring products, I was listening to a hospice
nurse explaining which medicine to give my
dad at which time, and how to operate his
morphine pump. Its a sense of dislocation
and detachment that really has no language to
explain it.
Because of the timing of everything, I
havent been on the road at all since midApril. Its been good to have the time to
grieve and reflect, but I also miss bumping
into everyone on the show floors. I never get
tired of the energy at these events. Theres
always something new to see, and plenty of
people willing to offer their perspectives and
experience even when the news isnt rosy. Even
during tough times, the industry is resilient.
FCI
And so am I. n
n
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Business with Superior Information
CUSTOM OFFERS 40 COLORS

IN ALL GROUTS.
Refreshed Palette Complements Todays Trends
CUSTOM continues to lead the grout industry by offering the best color lineup that combines existing popular
favorites with nine new nature-inspired colors added for 2015.
Designers have a new array of colors to choose from all complementing todays tile trends including wood
plank, stone, reclaimed wood, and glass. The new colors are drawn from nature with inspiration from water,
sand, and fog with muted gray, brown, green and blue tones.
Choose the right grout!
CUSTOM empowers tile contractors and design professionals to choose the right grout type for the job.
All 40 colors are now available in all grout lines, including Fusion Pro.
CustomBuildingProducts.com | 800-272-8786
FC0615B
DIRECTORS PERSPECTIVE
BY JON NAMBA, EDITORIAL DIRECTOR
The Heat is On, or It Will Be Soon:

Maintaining Humidity for Hardwood
Photo 1
Photo 2
ummer was much too short and now fall is in the

air. So what does that mean for hardwood floors?
It means as installers and retailers we need to make
sure to educate our customers on maintaining proper
humidity levels in homes. Most areas of the United States
go through the four seasons, and that means during the
winter months heat is required to maintain a comfort
level. What that also means is if forced air heating is
utilized, there is a much drier environment. Inspections
of gapping (Photo 1), cracks (Photo 2), checking (Photo
3), cupping (Photo 4), bond line failure (delamination)
(Photo 5) and shear (Photo 6) start about two months
after the heaters get turned on.
Inspectors are typically busy from November to April
conducting inspections due to dry conditions. So what
can we as installers and retailers do? Let our customers
know they need to take responsibility in maintaining
their environment.
Its our responsibility as professionals to educate
the end user in understanding the importance
of maintaining a constant environment that the
manufacturer and industry recommend. If you decide
not to, be prepared for the famous paper trail of sticky
notes (Photo 7)or worse, monetary losses.
Whether its a portable humidifier (Photo 8) or a
built-in humidistat system (Photo 9), both will help
introduce moisture into the air. If the homeowner/end
user decides on a portable system, make sure to discuss
placement of the humidifier. Some areas of the country
have hard/heavy minerals in their water, and if a
humidifier is placed directly on a wood floor or if the
mist falls directly onto the wood floor it may display
a white haze from the mineral residue. Distilled
water will not leave a residue like hard water. Portable
systems also require filling on a constant basis.
As an installer, you should be documenting
CARPET INDUSTRY UPDATES LEADING INSTALLATION STANDARDS

Our companies are making an unprecedented array of the most innovative carpet products in history.
Designing, creating and marketing those floor coverings are just part of the process. High quality carpet
installation is critical to ensuring customers benefit from the advanced materials and manufacturing that
go into our products today.
Thats why a group of industry professionals recently updated the Carpet and Rug Institutes 104/105
installation standards for commercial and residential carpet. They drew upon practical experience and
research and sought input from carpet manufacturers, retailers, installers, customers, testing laboratories
and other experts. The resulting updated standards emphasize planning and preparationand deliver on
the industrys commitment to ensure quality and customer satisfaction through proper carpet installation.
The Carpet and Rug Institute will periodically evaluate these guidelines to ensure they continue to serve
as the industrys gold standard for carpet installation.
To view the updated 104/105 installation standards for commercial and residential carpet, visit
www.carpet-rug.org.
John R. Wells
President & CEO, Interface Americas, Inc.
Robert E. Shaw
Chairman & CEO, Engineered Floors
Vance Bell
Chairman & CEO, Shaw Industries
Jeffrey S. Lorberbaum
Chairman & CEO, Mohawk Industries
Daniel K. Frierson
Chairman & CEO, Dixie Group
Ralph Grogan
President & CEO, Bentley Mills
David Jolly
President & CEO, J + J Flooring
Jack Ganley
President, Mannington Commercial
Philippe Hamers
General Manager, Balta
Karel Vercruyssen
CEO, Beaulieu Group, LLC
carpet-rug.org
P.O. Box 2048 Dalton Georgia 30722-2048 706.278.3176
Photo 3
Photo 4
Photo 5
Photo 6
Photo 7
Photo 8
Photo 9
Photo 10
ambient site conditions as well as

moisture content of the subfloor and
wood to protect your business. If you
read the installation guidelines from the
manufacturers or the National Wood
Flooring Associations installation
10
guidelines, youll find there is a

temperature and relative humidity range
that should be constantly maintained.
One of the first questions an inspector
will ask is whether or not the installer
has documentation of site conditions
and moisture content of the subfloor and

wood flooring.
So as the sun sets on summer (Photo
10) and things get cooler outside,
remember to address the heat on the
FCI
inside. n
n
TEC : Fewer steps for moisture mitigation
Mercy Hospital Joplin, Joplin, MO
Mercy Hospital in Joplin, Missouri, turned to TEC to protect against moisture damage when the hospital was rebuilt after
a tornado struck. With a one-step, one-coat formula and no shot blasting required,* The LiquiDAM from TEC efficiently
protects the flooring from moisture.
* No shot blasting required for clean, sound concrete.
Visit tecspecialty.com/moisture and enter offer code FCIad to learn how

to protect your floors from moisture damage and receive a free TEC T-shirt.
Copyright 2015 H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc.
TEC and The LiquiDAM are trademarks of H.B. Fuller Construction Products Inc.
FCI PRODUCT FOCUS

CS UNITECH LONG-REACH SCRAPER
ALSO INCLUDES CHIPPER AND DESCALER
CS Unitecs Long-Reach Scraper tools used to break up old tiles.
Lite models are up to 6 feet

long and weigh less than 8.5
lbs., according to the company.
CS Unitecs Trelawny Long-Reach Scrapers feature one tool with multiple applicationschipper, scraper and
descaler. Standard scrapers are available in 2, 4 and 5 lengths to efficiently remove residue, corrosion, adhesives,
floor tiles, plaster, mortar and more.
CS Unitecs offers a series of lite models up to 6 long that weigh less than 8.5 lbs., making them ideal for
overhead use. All long-reach scrapers can be converted to needle scalers by changing the scraper/chisel with a
needle attachment (P/N 415.3532). These air-powered long-reach scrapers consume only 4.5 CFM of air at 90 PSI
and are safer for use in hazardous areas where pneumatic power is the norm.
Accessories include chisel blades in 1, 2 and 4 widths. Spark-resistant aluminum bronze blades are available for
use in potentially hazardous environments.
For more information, visit www.csunitec.com.
12
Ocotber 2015 I www.fcimag.com
LVT ADHESIVE DESIGNED

TO WITHSTAND ALL TYPES
OF TRAFFIC
Titebond 670 is an acrylic, water-resistant, resilient flooring adhesive designed for luxury/solid vinyl tile and rubber flooring.
Applied using either a nap roller or trowel, it can be used with both the wet lay and pressure sensitive installation method.
It provides a strong, durable bond in a variety of high traffic residential and commercial areas.
FCI MUST HAVE PRODUCTS
Measure Tape Introduces eTape16

Measure Tapes eTape16 features a large, easy-to-read digital readout
that is accurate to 1/16 or 1 millimeter, according to the company. A
simple push of a button allows one to read the measurement in inches,
feet, fractions and decimals, as well as converting to metric. Another
feature allows the tape to switch between measurement of the blade
length alone and a measurement which adds the 3 width of the tape
measure case to the readout.
etape16.com
Tec Adds In-Floor Heat to Line Up

Tec Skill Set has added a ULapproved floor warming system to
its product line of tile installation
materials. With its infrared radiant
heat technology, the product allows
tile contractors to efficiently install a
heating system with uniform warmth
underneath tile and stone floors
with the assistance of a licensed
electrician.
tecskillset.com
Stauf PUK-455 for Wide-Width Floors

Staufs new PUK-455 was developed specifically for the
installation of solid wood planks without limitations on width,
length or thickness, according to the company. PUK-455
has a shear strength of over 680 psi, allowing it to stabilize
and help control common cupping problems associated with
wide-width solid flooring.
staufusa.com
14
Laticrete Offers Barrier

Free Shower System
Laticretes Hydro Ban
Barrier Free Shower
System provides a complete
waterproof assembly for
installing a barrier-free
shower. The adjustable
grate height also allows for
a wide range of tile or stone
thicknesses. Hydro Ban
Linear Drains and Hydro Ban
Bonding Flange Drains can
be installed to form a gentle
slope into the shower, or use
the Pre-Sloped Shower Pan
and Ramp combination.
laticrete.com.
Loxcreen Updates Shower Base Kit

Loxcreen has updated its ProVa-Shower
base extension kit. According to the
company, the kit was designed with
perforated corners so an installer can
build a shower base with or without cuts
to accommodate many styles and base
shapes. The kit also aids in installation
of large showers/saunas/steam showers
with a variety of size options when using
multiple kits.
loxcreen.com
Faster, Thinner
Floor Warming
Schluter-DITRA-HEAT
Electric floor warming system with integrated uncoupling
Dont need the heat?
Schluter-DITRA
Uncoupling membrane
for tiled floors
Heating and uncoupling in a single layer

No self-levelers required to encapsulate heating cables (no need to wait for curing)
Place the heating cables exactly where they are needed, without clips or fasteners
Combines the flexibility of loose cable with the ease of installation of a mat system
120 V and 240 V options
Programmable and non-programmable thermostats available
Connect with us!
www.schluter.com | 800-472-4588
FCI MUST HAVE PRODUCTS

DriTac Golden Bullet Offers
Sound Control
DriTacs 4141 (The Golden
Bullet) single-component
adhesive is a urethane-based
product that offers sound and
moisture control for wood
flooring. The Golden Bullet can
adhere engineered plank, solid
wood plank and bamboo flooring
without restriction on width,
length or thickness, according
to the company. It also meets or
exceeds all IIC and STC building
code requirements for sound
reduction.
dritac.com
Coatings for Industrys Pitch

Identification Tool
Coatings for Industry is making its
self-branded Pitch Identification Tool
available to customers who place any
size order. Additionally, this product
is available for non-customers and
prospective customers for $5.99. The
Pitch Identification Tool uses ball bearingtype rollers to let the installer visually
determine where the substrate slopes.
cficoatings.com
WarmlyYours Launches Accessory, Rough-in Kits

The Installation Accessory Kits include all of the tools necessary to
install a TempZone floor-heating system and tile. They come in four
different kitsBasic, Silver, Gold and Platinumto suit various
installation needs. The Electrical Rough-in Kits, available with and
without conduit, include all the parts needed to install a thermostat.
warmlyyours.com
Bostik Ultra-Set SingleStep2 With

Axios Tech
Bostiks Ultra-Set SingleStep2
featuring Axios Tri-Linking polymer
technology combines a high-strength
adhesive, moisture barrier and sound
abatement underlayment in one
formulation. It also contains Thickness
Control Spacer Technology, a
proprietary feature ensuring the ideal
membrane thickness between the
substrate and hardwood flooring, the
company said.
bostik-us.com
Whisper Mat CS from Protecto Wrap

Protecto Wraps Whisper Mat CS is a sound control and crack
suppression membrane for ceramic and natural stone tile. The
peel-and-stick membrane reduces impact and airborne sound
transmissions, while isolating finished flooring from subfloor cracks
up to 3/8. The product is made of a crosslinked polyolefin foam
sheet combined with an aggressive rubberized adhesive and a
polyester mesh fabric.
protectowrap.com
16
MOISTURE MITIGATED.
PROTECT YOUR FLOOR COVERINGS.

Ideal for new construction and renovations
Reduces moisture vapor emission rates of up to 25 lbs to 3 lbs or less
Ready to be capped with a high strength Maxxon Underlayment the very next day
One system warranty when topped with a Maxxon Underlayment
Let a Maxxon System lay the ground work to ensure seamless floor covering installation and protection.
To learn more:
800-356-7887 info@maxxon.com
www.MaxxonCorporation.com
2015 Maxxon Corporation, all rights reserved.
Go with
the experts!
Extensive product line
TI L E TI P
Spot Bonding Tile Problems,

Again and Again
Feature-rich controls
Flexible installation
Rely on our experience and broad product

selection to make your next floor heating
installation a success!
30 years in floor heating & electronic controls
Thousands of installations
Above- and below-floor solutions, for new and retrofit
projects
Thermostat options with programmable touchscreens
and remote access
25-year warranty for WarmWire, whether used with
SunTouch or other manufacturers membranes
electric floor heating & snow melting
A Watts Water Technologies Company
SunTouch.com
18
The topic of spot bonding floor tile was covered in CTEF Tile Tip
about a year ago, and one would think the installers that utilize this
technique would heed the warning and stop installing tile in this
way. Unfortunately, that has not happened.
This problem continues to be high on the list of questions received
by the CTEF offices when things go wrong. Too many installers
continue to spot bond their floor tile by placing a dollop of mortar
(about the size of a golf ball) on each corner with one in the middle
of the back of the tile. This process, commonly known as five
spotting, fails almost every time because the majority of the tile is
not supported or bonded by the mortar (see attached photo).
The TCNA Handbook method W260 illustrates the installation
method for spot bonding ceramic tile on walls only, using a particular
epoxy setting material which is recommended by the manufacturer
for this specialized purpose. This detail is very specific and clearly is
recommended for interior use on a wood or steel stud wall over cement
backer board. It further states these limitations: It will not withstand
impact and the maximum stud spacing is 16 on center.
The reason installers use this shortcut to install floor tile, especially
large format, is that it virtually eliminates lippage. With the mortar
concentrated in these five areas, the installer can easily push down
on the mortar spot and get it to flatten out with the adjacent tiles.
Continuing to push down on the other three corners usually yields a
lippage-free installation. Life is good, right? Wrong!
This mistake creates a number of problems which many times will
be cause for a callback and/or potential failure. The number-one
problem caused here is the lack of support of the tile. Any point
load, including a womans high heel, will cause the tile to crack. The
second problem occurs when a hollow sound is detected in the area
which has no mortar underneathwhich is not acceptable. Another
problem occurs when moisture collects in these hollow areas causing
the grout to remain dark until the water has completely evaporated.
If the tile is a natural stone, the moisture could permanently discolor
the stone, not to mention the grout.
In order to save yourself a lot of time, trouble and possibly financial loss,
use the industry recommended method to spread your mortar. Properly
key in your mortar to the substrate, comb it in one direction and place the
tile into the mortar moving it in a back and forth motion perpendicular
to the trowel ridges. This method should provide the necessary mortar
coverage while keeping problems away from your door and keeping the
money you have earned in your pocketwhere it belongs!
Moisture Mitigation...
for up to 99.0% Relative
Humidity!!!
Shouldnt you specify the best performing and most cost effective system
to protect your finished floor installation?
Suppresses water vapor emission from
concrete up to 99.0% RH
Peel-&-Stick installation provides a
fully secured flooring system
Zero Telegraphing of seams
For use under carpet, VCT, LVP, wood, ceramic
and many more types of flooring!
Find out more by going here!
www.traxxcorp.com
FCI INDUSTRY NEWS

NWFA Launches Partnership to
Benefit Military Veterans
Former U.S. Marine and combat veteran Nick

Kimmel at the pitchers mound during the NWFAs
30th anniversary convention.
When former U.S. Marine and combat

veteran Nick Kimmel walked to the
pitchers mound before the St. Louis
Cardinals baseball game on April 28 at
the start of the National Wood Flooring
Associations 30th anniversary convention,
he represented the Gary Sinise
Foundation. He represented veterans
across the country. And, standing on two
prosthetic legs and having only his right
arm with which to toss the ceremonial
first pitch, he represented what is possible.
Gary Sinise Foundations R.I.S.E.
(Restoring Independence, Supporting
Empowerment) program builds smart
homes for veterans who have sacrificed
their health, many losing multiple limbs
during their military service. Gary Sinise,
the Oscar-nominated actor, attended
NWFAs Wood Flooring Expo in St. Louis
to officially announce his foundations
partnership with the NWFA, giving a
stirring 15-minute speech to an overflow
crowd at the Kickoff General Session.
Eight NWFA member manufacturers
have committed to providing materials:
American OEM, Mannington Wood
Floors, MAPEI, Mullican Flooring, RustOleum, Sheoga Hardwood Flooring,
Somerset Hardwood Flooring and WD
Flooring. Distributors and contractors in
the communities where homes are being
built will have opportunities to participate
as well, creating locally based support for
the home-building projects.
NWFA members will participate in
projects for up to 12 homes per year,
and will partner with manufacturers that
20
match the U.S.-based manufacturing

requirements of the R.I.S.E. program.
More information about the Gary
Sinise Foundations R.I.S.E. program
is available at garysinisefoundation.
org. NWFA manufacturer members
interested in being involved should call
NWFA at (800) 422-4556.
Halex Joins Fuse Alliance as

Preferred Supplier
Fuse Alliance announced that Halex
Corp. has joined the Fuse Alliance
network as a Preferred Supplier. Based in
Southern California, Halex is a leading
manufacturer of flooring installation
products including seam tape, flooring
nails, underlayment and moisture barriers.
Halex offers Fuse Alliance network
members brands such as VersaShield,
Orcon, Capitol, Roberts and Preferred
for products ranging from carpet seaming
tape to installation tools. Halex also has
two additional U.S. manufacturing and
distribution centers located in Calhoun,
Ga. and Bensalem, Pa.
WFCA Acquires CFI; New

Programs Announced
Scott Humphrey, World Floor Covering
Association (WFCA) CEO, recently
announced his organization has added
the International Certified Floorcovering
Installer Association (CFI) and provided
the infusion of capital necessary to
continue and expand CFIs installation
training and certification programs.
Robert Varden, who was tapped to lead
CFI after Jim Walker stepped down, will
take on the role of vice president of the
CFI Division, overseeing existing and
expanded certification training programs.
To accommodate this move, WFCA has
opened an office and training facility in
Lenexa, Kans., which will house staff
from both organizations including Tom
Jennings, WFCAs vice president of
development.
In a related announcement, CFI has
opened a new 10,000 sq. ft. installation
training facility in Forney, Texas, about 21

miles east of Dallas. This new facility will
be able to accommodate workshops and
classes for all types and levels of installation
training and certification. The Dallas-area
location is projected to be the first leg of
a larger plan to bring CFI training and
certification to other markets across the
U.S., the WFCA stated.
To start, the school will be offering
R1C1 courses in carpet certification; oneand two-week classes in every category
of hard surface; and an extensive course
on carpet installation that will turn
entry-level individuals into professional
residential carpet installers in just five
weeks, CFI said.
The school will also offer new oneweek advanced commercial installation
workshops as well as classes on pattern
correction, woven carpet and specialty
products. In addition to the programs
offered through the school, CFI will also
continue with regional training programs
throughout the country.
Additionally, Varden said CFI will
enhance its recruitment efforts. We
are tapping into targeted demographic
groups such as veterans and high school
vocational groups, who we feel would be
great candidates for this field.
The CFI has announced it will be
holding its next convention Nov. 1214, in Dallas. This years event is set
to include extensive daily installation
seminars and hands-on workshops taught
by leading industry professionals, as well
as numerous networking opportunities
with executives and colleagues across the
country, the association noted. For more
information, visit cfiinstallers.org.
Wagner Meters Offers Updated

Webinar
Wagner Meters is offering the recently
updated online course, Moisture
Testing of Concrete Floor Slabs. This
training webinar is especially designed for
contractors and flooring installers, and is
presented by Howard Kanare, a leading
expert in concrete moisture issues.
Take
UltraCare
of your tile and

natural stone project
BEFORE
Grout MAXimizer
Grout and seal in one step
AFTER
Grout Refresh
Renovate and renew your grout
Total Solutions for Stone, Tile and Grout Care

Along with developing UltraCare Grout Maximizer and UltraCare Grout Refresh, MAPEIs world-leading
Research and Development team has produced a complete line of high-quality sealers, finishes, cleaners
and problem-solvers that complements our full line of installation products. Each product is formulated to
be environmentally friendly and easy to use, as well as to provide outstanding performance and durability.
MAPEIs UltraCare care and maintenance products deliver outstanding results.
Scan here to learn more about

our other UltraCare products or
visit www.mapei.com.
FCI INDUSTRY NEWS

Kanare, a former senior principal
scientist for the Portland Cement
Associations Laboratory (CTLGroup),
shares breakthrough scientific data
regarding methods for moisture testing
of concrete slabs. The one-hour webinar
includes a live question-and-answer
session.
The updated, online course is now
being offered twice monthly. Early
registration is encouraged and can be
done online at www.wagnermeters.com/
webinar.
INSTALL Announces Texas

Expansion
INSTALL, which said it has had Texas
marked as a strategic next step in its
expansion plan for years, recently held an
open house at the existing North Texas
Training Center at 1901 Susan Drive in
Arlington. Welcoming INSTALL staff

and instructors, contractors, installers and
manufacturer representatives, the event
celebrated the INSTALL curriculum
being brought to the Texas location for
the first time.
Texas is the most vibrant market in the
country and its booming with projects
and available workforce, said John
McGrath, INSTALL executive director.
We want to get those workers trained
and certified so they can deliver quality
commercial flooring installations to the
Texas market.
Representatives from manufacturers
and mills including Ardex, Armstrong
Flooring, Gerflor, H.B. Fuller, HP
Schonox, Halex, Mohawk, nora, Shaw
and Tarkett/Johnsonite were in attendance
for the open house.
For more information, visit
installfloors.org.
Laticrete-Sponsored Joey Ternullo

Wins Race
Joey Ternullo wins the Legend Car race at

Waterford earlier this year.
Laticrete announced that Joey Ternullo

won the Legend Car race at Waterford
Speedbowls earlier this year.
Ternullo is the son of Middletown
Ceramic Tile Co.s Joe Ternullo.
Middletown Ceramic Tile Company
has been using Laticrete materials and
methods for over 50 years.
Laticrete has sponsored Ternullo in
Waterproofing and
sound control systems
for bathrooms.
w w w. n a c p r o d u c t s . c o m 1 - 8 0 0 - 6 3 3 - 4 6 2 2
22
his Legend Car for the past few years. A

Legend Car is a five-eighths scale replica
of a pre-World War II coupe car and can
reach 80 miles per hour.
AccuTec Blades Acquires EPC

Industrial Blades Division
AccuTec Blades Inc. has announced
the acquisition of Edgewell Personal Care
Companys (EPC) Industrial Blades division. EPC announced in May 2015 its
intent to discontinue its industrial blade
operations in Verona, Virginia and Obregon, Mexico.
EPC acquired the Industrial Blades
division in a deal with American Safety
Razor in 2011. EPC will be retaining
the Personna brand and will continue to
market wet shaving products under this
name, only divesting the Industrial Blades
business in this sale.
DMU Provides Focused Education

for Maximizing Sales and
Profitability
The 2015 Distribution Management
University (DMU) will be held in
conjunction with the NAFCD +
NBMDA Annual Convention, on
Tuesday, Nov. 3 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at
the Hilton Orlando.
The 2015 DMU is a unique
opportunity for general, sales, branch
and operations managers to expand
their industry knowledge and enhance
leadership skills. The 2015 DMU is
focused on the real world of the market
level manager. Sessions are designed to
be fast-paced, interactive and fun, and
provide real tools to grow profit and
market share.
Bob Langdon, author of Managing
Your Business for Profit, will lead the 2015
DMU. Since beginning his consulting
practice in 1983, Langdon has been

assisting business owners in achieving
their sales and financial goals.
In this program, Langdon will show
attendees proven techniques to increasing
gross margin, cash flow and return on
investment, while retaining their best
customers. They will learn how to
calculate breakeven for their business
and how to prepare alternative financial
forecasts for their business.
For more information, visit
distributorconvention.org.
Keene Building Products Gets

Website Makeover
Keene Building Products has revealed
the new and modern KeeneBuilding.com.
The site is fully responsive, faster, easier to
navigate and more user-friendly. There are
many highlights of the new site, including
FCI1015
www.fcimag.com I October 2015
23
FCI INDUSTRY NEWS

the ability to visit any individual product
page in two clicks. Just select Products at
the top to see a list of all the products in
the line.
The site also offers customized pages
for architects, contractors and developers;
resources and education; a search box;
project profiles; Keene blogs The Quiet
Guy and The Dri Guy; and links to
Keenes family of companies: Cansto
Coatings and Dependable.
Individual product pages include
photos, videos, downloadable files and
a quick way to reach Keene if there are
any questions or need for additional
information.
Ardex Canada Project Receives

Top Honors
Custom Introduces Commercial

Installation Systems Guide
Custom Building Products recently
published the Custom Commercial
Installation Systems Guide, a resource
for architects, specifiers, designers
and contractors. The guide provides
guidance on how to confidently select
the right system of surface preparation,
setting, grouting and care products
for tile projects across a variety of
applications including healthcare,
hospitality, commercial kitchens,
retail, transportation, entertainment,
commercial, intuitional, government and
public works.
The Custom Commercial Installation
Systems Guide features detailed
information on its products and systems
in the context of specific building types
or end-use applications, including typical
challenges like high point loads, extreme
soil situations, fast track timelines,
how to qualify for Customs System
Warranties and common considerations
such as waterproofing, sound
attenuation, uneven subfloors, chemical
exposure, crack isolation, stain resistance,
color consistency, exterior conditions
and more.
All product recommendationswhich
may include categories that are new to the
userare based on ANSI standards, the
company noted.
Various Ardex products were used on complex tile

installations at this modern, private residence in
Vancouver, BC.
24
Ardex Canada received Project of

the Year and Best Technical Product
Application at the Terrazzo, Tile
and Marble Association of Canadas
(TTMAC) 72nd Annual Convention
Hardsurface Awards Gala recently.
Many people contributed to this
project. This is a team victory and a
supreme honor, said Don Brletic,
western regional manager, Ardex
Canada. Metroworks Tile and Stone
used Ardex products purchased through
Fontile and Pacific Rim and the Ardex
Canada team supported every phase of
the installation.
Principal Shawn Perepelytz of
Metroworks Tile and Stone used Ardex
X 77 Microtec Fiber Reinforced Tile
and Stone Mortar, Ardex AM 100 Rapid
Set Pre-Tile Smoothing and Ramping
Mortar, along with Ardex SX 100%
Silicone Sealant for Tile and Stone
Applications for the various complex
tile installations at a modern, private
residence in Vancouver, BC.
The TTMAC Hardsurface Awards
recognize and highlight terrazzo,
tile and natural stone installations
submitted by trade contractors, material
suppliers, architects, designers, specifiers
and builders.
Bissler, Reeve Earn FCICAs CIM

Certification
FCICA has announced James Bissler
and Bruce Reeve are now credentialed as a
Certified Installation Manager (CIM), the
only certification program for commercial
flooring installation managers.
Bissler and Reeve were both awarded
this designation for the successful
completion of all eight modules of
learning and related assessments with
the required passing score. The CIM
program is an online certification
program specifically developed for and
available to all who want to obtain
the knowledge necessary to become a
Certified Installation Manager and learn
the important skills required of that
position, regardless of their affiliations.
To find out more, visit fcica.com/
training-program.
Bostiks New Video Showcases Ed

Begley, Jr.s Home
Ed Begley, Jr., features in Bostiks new video

highlighting the actors LEED Platinum home.
Bostik has produced a new video

featuring well-known green activist and
actor Ed Begley, Jr. In it, he speaks of
why Ultra-Set SingleStep2 was the ideal
wood flooring installation product for
his LEED Platinum home. This video
is easily seen by visiting: http://bit.ly/
Bostik-EdBegley.
Philadelphia Floor Store Launches

Lessons Learned Blog
Philadelphia Floor Store (PFS) recently
launched a new Lessons Learned blog
series. The company developed the idea

for the series in the wake of a fire earlier
this year that completely destroyed their
main headquarters and distribution center. The goal is to help other small business owners avoid insurance pitfalls and
be prepared should disaster strike.
After what the company has been
through these past few months, PFS feels
an obligation to educate contractors and
other small business owners and help
them avoid some of the common (and
not so common) pitfalls related to insurance coverage and disaster recovery.
Continuing their mission to inform and
educate, the company will take a deep
dive into insurance coverage as it relates
to small businesses and examine some of
the common mistakes business owners
make. Blog posts will focus on everything
from making sure business owners have
the proper insurance coverage, to how to
develop a disaster recovery plan.

Read the series at blog.phillyfloor.com/
posts/training-and-education/lessonslearned.
Experts to Judge in the Schnox

Worst Subfloor in NA Contest
HPS Schnox has asked flooring
professionals to Show us your worst
and how you made it your best with
the opening of its second annual
Schnox Worst Subfloor in North
America Contest. A three-judge panel of
independent industry experts was recently
announced.
Tom Jennings (World Floor Covering
Association) Dean Thompson (Resilient
Floor Covering Institute) and Robert
Varden (International Certified
Floorcovering Installers Association)
will judge contest entries in an impartial
manner that includes having all

identifying information removed from
the entry with only the photos and
project notes provided for their review.
Judging will begin after December 11, the
deadline for contest submissions.
The judges will review photos
submitted by contest entrants showing
the before and after conditions of the
subfloor along with details of how the
project was executed. The contest entries
will be independently judged with first,
second, and third place winners based
on the severity of the original subfloors
condition, the skill and attention to detail
taken in executing the project, and the
quality of the finished subfloor.
The contest runs through December 11
with winners to be announced at TISE
(The International Surface Event) in Las
Vegas in 2016. Entries can be submitted
at hpsubfloors.com/worstsubfloor.
25
FCI INDUSTRY NEWS

CRCII, LMCCA and PCRA Sign
Memorandum of Understanding
Three long-time professional associations
formalized an agreement recently that the
organizations leaders say will lead to stronger
ties, shared resources and cross-membership.
The signing of the Memorandum of
Understanding means greater organizational
stability and growth for the Carpet & Rug
Cleaners Institute of Illinois (CRCII), the
Low Moisture Carpet Cleaning Association
(LMCCA) and the Professional Cleaning
and Restoration Alliance (PCRA), said
LMCCA president Lonnie McDonald.
The Memorandum of Understanding
includes, but is not limited to, the
ability to promote each others respective
associations and providing mutual
technical support. Notably, all members
of each association also become members
in all three associations.
The MOU goes into effect immediately.
Ceramic Tile and Stone

Consultants Update Website
Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants
(CTaSC) announced the launch of its
new website at CtaSC.com. While the
website address is the same, the content,
features and resources have been
improved.
The updated CTaSC website features
an extensive menu of services including
forensic investigations, quality control,
testing, training, marketing and business
planning, and more.
In addition to its business services,
the website provides resources for
companies in the tile and stone
industries as well as some for
consumers, including: Resource
Directory, Industry Statistics, Economic
Indicators and Forecasts, Industry
Research Reports, Expert Answers,
Training Services, and Events.
MIA Accreditation Program

Reaches 100-Member Milestone
The Marble Institute of America (MIA)

accreditation program has reached the
milestone of 100 accredited locations
in North America. Sims-Lohman in
Zionsville, Ind., and Pittsburgh, Pa., were
the 99th and 100th member locations
to earn MIA Accreditation. Several
companies are nearing completion of the
accreditation process, meaning that MIA
will have over 100 accredited locations by
the end of 2015.
Another Industry First from LATICRETE
Grout in Any Color.

Your clients want choice in every element of their design.
Now, with PERMACOLOR Select ANYCOLOR, there are
no limits on grout color choices. Simply choose a SherwinWilliams or Benjamin Moore color from their vast color
pallet, and in less than two weeks your customers design
vision becomes reality. Ask your LATICRETE Sales
Representative for details.
Warranty
EQUIPPED WITH
Snap for more information.
Never needs sealing equipped with

STONETECH Sealer Technology
Also available in 80 stocked colors, including all 40
LATICRETE colors and the top selling competitor colors
Vibrant consistent color
LIFETIME*
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SEALER
Equipped with
Anti-Microbial Technology
T E C H N O L O G Y
www.laticrete.com
See Data Sheet 230.99 for complete warranty information. ^When mixed with PERMACOLOR Select Base.
Sherwin-Williams and Benjamin Moore have no involvement with this program.
A-6004-0915 2015 LATICRETE International, Inc. All trademarks shown are the intellectual properties of their respective owners.
*
26
Your color here
l 1.800.243.4788
Globally
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MIA Accreditation Commission Chair

Rodney Harvey looks forward to what
this milestone means for the program.
The future of the MIA Accreditation
program is very bright, as the number of
accredited companies in each category
(Natural Stone Fabricator, Commercial
A Contractor and Commercial B
Contractor) are expected to experience
continued growth to meet the needs of
the consumers, the construction market
and the design community.
Steve Steinman, owner of SimsLohman, said, We view MIA as the
gold standard in the stone industry, so
it was important for us to earn MIA
Accreditation. Sims-Lohman also has
MIA Accredited locations in Cincinnati
and Columbus, Ohio.
Earning MIA Accreditation means a
company has gone through a rigorous
application process and is held to the
highest industry standard available.
MIA Accredited companies are reviewed
to ensure best business practices are in
place, tested on proper fabrication and
installation methods and inspected to
ensure safety, fabrication, and installation
standards are met. To learn more about the
MIA Accreditation program, and to see a
full list of MIA Accredited companies, visit
www.marble-institute.com/gettheseal.
ISSA board member for the past six years,

with the last three as an officer, serving
this year as treasurer.
Laticrete has promoted its national
accounts manager Ken Madison, adding
Daltile and Florida Tile to his existing
accounts of Lowes and Floor & Dcor.

With this promotion, Madison will
continue to report to director of sales,
North America, Rob Smith and will
maintain responsibility for his existing
national accounts.
NEW HIRES AND

PROMOTIONS
John Barrett
ISSA (the Worldwide Cleaning Industry

Association) has appointed John Barrett
as executive director. Barrett replaces John
Garfinkel, who will work in a consultative
capacity through 2016 to facilitate a
smooth transition. Barrett has served as an
27
FCI
Well equipped for all events!
NEWS
Eric Edelmayer
Eric Edelmayer has joined MAPEI

Americas as business development
manager for sheet membranes.
Edelmayer has been in the tile industry
for over 30 years, specializing in sheet
membranes for waterproofing, crack
isolation and sound reduction. Before
joining MAPEI, Edelmayer was the
director of contractor services with
Noble Co.
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HIGH EXPECTATIONS?
James Ammer
UFloor Systems Inc. recently announced

that James Ammer joined the Wolff team
as a technical sales representative for the
southeastern U.S. Ammers experience in the
floor covering industry spans more than 15
years, with 10 of those years operating his
own company: Ammer Flooring.
Hire ONLY
CTEF
Certified Tile
Installers
UPCOMING EVENTS
FCICA Mid-Year Meeting New
Castle, Del., Oct. 7-9. www.fcica.com
TISE East 2015 Orlando, Fla., Nov.
2-5. www.tiseeast.com
NAFCD/NBMDA Convention
Orlando, Fla., Nov. 3-5. www.
distributorconvention.org
CFI 2015 Convention Dallas, Nov.
12-14. www.cfiinstallers.org
The ONLY Tile Installer Certification

recognized by the tile industry
www.tilecareer.com / 864.222.2131
Signature Sponsors:
ASCER Ceramics of Italy Coverings Crossville CTDA Daltile
Florida Tile James Hardie MAPEI NTCA Schluter Systems StonePeak TCNA TEC
Platinum Sponsors:
Bostik CertainTeed Laticrete Marazzi USA Porcelanite/Lamosa USG
28 October 2015 I www.fcimag.com

2013CTEF_CTI_HeightenExpect_Buildings.indd
1
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For more industry events and training,

visit www.fcimag.com and click Calendar
of Events under the More tab.
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Floor Covering Installer (FCI) is dedicated to the complete spectrum of flooring installation,
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both the residential and commercial markets.
CRACK ISOLATION
BY MICHAEL CHMIELECKI, EDITOR
CRACK ISOLATION, ANTI-FRACTURE

AND UNCOUPLING MEMBRANES
ost installation
professionals
understand what
crack isolation,
anti-fracture and
uncoupling membranes are for, but
confusion still reigns on what the
differences are among the products.
Do crack isolation and anti-fracture
mean the same thing? Are uncoupling
membranes standardized? When
should partial coverage be chosen over
a full installation? We asked a panel of
industry manufacturers to weigh in.
Defining the terms. According to
Eric Edelmayer, MAPEIs business
development manager for sheet
membranes, the terms crack isolation
and anti-fracture membranes are often
30
used interchangeably, while uncoupling

membranes are a different category
altogether.
With crack isolation or anti-fracture,
the ANSI standard would be 118.12,
with a defined amount of movement
required to pass the test. At the present
time, there is no measurement for
uncoupling membranes other than the
minimum 50 psi shear strength in seven
days, as defined by the Tile Council of
North America (TCNA) Handbook.
However, the Material and Methods
Standards Association has formed a
committee to establish an ANSI standard
for uncoupling membranes.
Jay Conrod, Laticrete product manager,
said the preferred industry term is crack
isolation. He also noted some subtle
differences in meaning between the terms.

Crack isolation is when youre trying to
isolate existing cracks from telegraphing
from the substrate into the tile. Antifracture would be about preventing
existing and future cracks. Uncoupling
is when youre trying to isolate stresses in
the substrate via a membrane that moves
independently of the floor surface.
Custom Building Products Steve
Taylor, director of technical and
architectural marketing, explained the
different terms as well. Anti-fracture
is sometimes considered an older term
that was used to indicate the membrane
would protect the tile from cracking if
Installing Loxcreens ProVa Flex
uncoupling membrane.
An application of Custom Building Products RedGard Waterproofing and Crack

Prevention Membrane.
there was movement in the substrate.

Unfortunately, many incorrectly believe
these membranes should provide
protection from all actionsabove as
well as below the tile.
He added, Many crack isolation
membranes have multiple functions. Not
only do they isolate the tile from cracks
below, they also waterproof the floor and
reduce sound transmission from impact
noises. Uncoupling is a separate class of
membrane. It does not have an ANSI
standard and is only defined by TCNA
as a geometric formed plastic membrane

to provide an air space below the tile and
allow independent movement between
the tile assembly and the substrate.
According to Michael Venturelli, QEP
divisional vice president, crack isolation
and anti-fracture are virtually synonymous.
They both perform by adhering to the
slab; then the tile is set onto the crack
isolation or anti-fracture membrane. The
crack energy is absorbed by the product
and spread over a large area, preventing
telegraphing through the tile. In some
cases, the crack may transfer to the grout

joint. That is easily repairable.
Regarding uncoupling membranes,
Venturelli noted, Uncoupling, also
called a cleavage membrane, is a system
that is centuries old. This is where the
floor is completely isolated from the
substrate. Hence, any force or movement
on the subfloor is completely isolated
from the finished floor.
Loxcreens Duane Farley, national sales
managerCanada, and Wade Verble,
ceramic industry specialistU.S., said
the term anti-fracture is usually associated
with older technology such as peel-andstick asphalt underlayments for use on
concrete. Some products are also hybrids.
ProVa Flex is both an anti-fracture
and an uncoupling membrane, and we
like to define it as a lightweight tile
underlayment. It will not break apart and
will handle deflection within industry
standards. ProVa Mat is a waterproof
anti-fracture membrane that can be used
for crack isolation to deal with a small
number of cracks in a large area.
They added crack isolation is ideal for
large jobs which have some cracks but
not many, with the hope cracks dont
occur anywhere else. Its for dealing with
existing cracks.
Going into greater detail about
uncoupling membranes, Alan Kin,
Texrite sales and technical, stated, The
uncoupling method is a layered system
that tangentially hinges or has a moveable
bond, like a train-car connection.
He noted that using a crack
isolation, anti-fracture or uncoupling
system does not in any way circumvent
the need for movement joints or
expansion joints. Addressing minor
crack movement with a membrane
system will not also cover all building,
construction and movement joints.
Application methods. Edelmayer
stated choosing a sheet, liquid or
trowelable membrane comes down to
the contractors preference. However,
performance levels may differ from
product to product and manufacturer to
manufacturer, so it is important to always
check the ANSI standard for the required
performance level.
31
Rolling on Tecs HydraFlex waterproofing crack isolation membrane.
Conrod said choosing between the

methods comes down to several factors.
It really depends on the application,
the substrate, the type of tile or stone
to be used, and whether you also need
waterproofing. Sheet membranes
are preferred if you need a quicker
turnaround, such as in a mall or retail
setting where you want to get in and get
out really quickly. With trowel-applied
products you can see some labor savings
because youre often applying anti-fracture
and a thin-set in one application.
Taylor also said sheet membranes
are typically the fastest application.
Generally one must wait for a liquidapplied membrane to dry and cure,
whereas you can begin setting tile on
a sheet membrane immediately. Sheetapplied products can have a pressuresensitive adhesive backing or be installed
with a separate adhesive or mortar.
Liquid-applied products can be applied
with a roller, sprayer or trowel.
Patrick Giles, vice president of
technical and research & development
for Maxxon, said his company
32
recommends applications including

trowel-applied, sheet-applied and
uncoupling on its underlayments.
The TCNA has published installation
methods over gypsum concrete
(Method F180-12) and other substrates
(Method F185-12). Maxxon gypsum
underlayments should be completely
dry when using trowel-applied or peeland-stick sheet anti-fracture/waterproof
membranes. Uncoupling membranes
such as Schluter Ditra mat can go over a
slightly wet Maxxon underlayment.
Venturelli believes the most secure
method is peel-and-stick sheets.
Homeluxs CIM Pro and Primer allows
up to 3/8 separation movement in the
substrate and prevents the crack from
telegraphing through to the tile.
He added since liquid membranes are
only waterproofnot vapor-proof
this eliminates liquid membranes for
use in steam rooms. Liquid membranes
also need several coats and drying time
in-between. Liquid and trowel-applied
products generally will not handle
the same type of movement as a sheet
membrane would, as it is difficult to

predict in-plane movement.
Farley and Verble said the installer
should choose an application
system based on comfort level and
manufacturer recommendations. The
installer should make sure the crack is
1/8 maximum in plane, as to industry
standards. ProVa Mat is a great choice
for crack isolation and must be 1.5 times
wider than the tile. For example, for a
24 tile the installer should cover the
crack with a 36 wide roll, making sure
the crack is centered in the roll.
Tom Plaskota, Tec technical support
manager, stated trowel-applied products
sometimes have the advantage of
acting as the adhesive for the tile as
well. Other products are allowed to
cure prior to the tile installation or are
applied as sheet goods and then serve as
the substrate for the tile.
According to Mark Pennine, Ardex tile
& stone installation systems technical
manager, uncoupling membranes can
also offer several additional features.
Some uncoupling membranes can be
Installing a membrane improperlyor neglecting to install one at allcan lead to cracks telegraphing
into the tile from the substrate. Photo courtesy of Alan Kin.
used as vapor management and top-down

waterproofing when a seam tape is used.
Kin said when working with largeformat tiles, liquid- and trowel-applied
products remain the best option. Liquidapplied membranes have limitless path
width when working with large-format
tiles, with no concerns for overlap or
abutted sheet membrane requirements.
An installation contractor should be aware
of the proper coverage amounts or width
required for larger-format tile situations,
and recognize that one size/width
application does not fit all tile sizes.
Partial vs. full coverage. Edelmayer
noted choosing partial membrane coverage
versus a full-field approach depends on
the substrate itself. Chasing individual
cracks is very common in older pours or
renovation work, where the substrate has
already cracked and additional cracking
is less likely. In new construction where
the concrete may not have cracked yet
or radiant heat is involved, a full-field
approach is definitely the way to go. Same
for those crack isolation membranes that
are used for waterproofing.
Taylor believes full coverage is the

best option, even in older slabs. Full
coverage will protect the tile and grout
from any new cracks that may form in
the substrate. Older slabs may be stable
and only require a partial install, but this
is not necessarily true and we suggest full
coverage in nearly all cases.
Venturelli suggests when the subfloor
is new, using an uncoupling mat for a
full install is ideal. However, if money
is an issue, I would suggest using an antifracture membrane.
Plaskota said whenever possible, covering
the full installation area is the best option
as it not only isolates visible cracks but
prevents future cracking and movement.
In addition, using the membrane over
the entire installation area and combining
it with compatible products from
the same manufacturer may improve
the installations overall strength. For
example, Tec membranes are formulated
specifically to receive Tec bonding mortars.
When they are used with other Tec
mortars and grouts, they are eligible for a
comprehensive limited warranty.
According to Pennine, when choosing

a partial install to isolate a crack,
materials must be applied a minimum of
three times the width of the tile or stone
being installed over the crack.
Kin thinks its best to go with a full
installation whenever possible, partly
to help protect the contractor against
possible claims. A homebuilder may
submit a claim for in-plane fractured/
cracked tile. From practical experience,
upon investigation or removal of the tile
and mortar typically no membrane or an
insufficient width of membrane will be
present underneath the tile.
He added that the option of a full
coverage membrane should always be
discussed with the customer before
installation. With the cost of construction
being scrutinized, building owners and
homeowners often comment about why
they were not given the choice of full
coverage membranes after experiencing
failures or repairs. It is key that the
installation/bidding group have better
contact with the customer and allow them
FCI
the choice of full coverage. n
n
33
CRACK ISOLATION
BY TOM DUV
Avoiding Crack Isolation Failures
illions of square feet of

sheet-applied crack isolation
membrane are successfully
installed every year under natural
stone and ceramic tile. Yet there are an
increasing number of membrane failures
occurring. It is important to address this
problem because cheaply made products
are giving quality crack isolation
membranes an undeserved reputation.
Why is this happening? There
are a couple of factors that typically
contribute to membrane failures,
including adhesion (or rather, a
lack of adhesion) and deterioration/
emulsification, or lack of primer
between the membrane and substrate.
Fabric separation. One of the main
reasons some sheet applied (peel and
stick) membranes fail is due to fabric
separation. Some laminated sheet
membranes have a low tensile strength
and separate from the elastomer (rubber/
asphalt) base. You can easily check this
34
by trying to separate the fabric from the

rubber, if it separates, do not use it; it can
be very expensive to repair.
Professional-grade sheet membranes
generally use the extrusion method of
manufacturing. This process creates a
semi-encapsulating, high-strength bond
between the fabric and elastomer. The
fabric material can range from natural
to higher-performing synthetics. One
system utilizes non-woven polyester fabric
laminated to both sides of the membrane.
Either way, make sure the fabric layer does
not separate from the membrane.
Primer failure. Some membrane
systems use water-based latex primers
that can re-emulsify. Adhesion with
the substrate is then compromised
especially if there is water vapor present
from the concrete floor. This causes the
adhesion to break down and a possible
failure of the finished floor.
Membrane primers are essential and
developed to a high strength, non-
emulsifying formulation. The primer

should be formulated to rapidly cure
in place and provide a surface that
permanently bonds with the adhesive base
of the membrane. Once applied to the
substrate, the primer cures in approximately
20-30 minutes and forms a permanent
bond to the floor with applied pressure.
Following are some considerations
when choosing a crack isolation
membrane.
1. Demand Performance Data. Longterm installation success depends on the
ability of the crack isolation membrane
system to meet all 10 of the A118.12
standards tests for crack isolation
membranes. The two most critical are
shear strength after accelerated aging
and long-term water emersion. Poor
performance or failure of these two tests
Above: A sheet membrane with low tensile strength
can cause fabric separation.
Top Left: Anatomy of a crack isolation membrane.

Bottom: A bond test may be the best way to know if a membrane system
will bond securely to the substrate.
indicates the membrane will not provide the adhesion necessary

for a natural stone or other hard surface flooring installation.
Insist on seeing results from all 10 performance tests.
2. Follow Installation Instructions. A successful installation
begins by reading and following the installation instructions
developed by the manufacturer. There are important variations
between installation procedures that can lead to failure if not
properly handled. For a porous substrate or when a patching
or leveling compound is used, some manufacturers call for an
additional treatment of the slab before the primer is applied.
These products can be very absorptive and may need to be
sealed before applying the membranes primer. Existing cracks
or control joints may need to be addressed prior to primer
application as well.
3. Note Manufacturer Cautions and Conditions. A
crack isolation membrane may not be the answer for all types
of flooring situations. A substrate with vertical sheer or an

uneven floor may not benefit from the use of a crack isolation
membrane. It is important to know and understand the
suitable substrates for the membrane application. What product
limitations and expectations can be anticipated when using a
particular membrane?
4. Perform a Bond Test. A bond test may be the only way to
know if a membrane system will bond securely to a substrate.
A bond test is merely a small installation of membrane over
a surface in order to determine if sufficient bonding can be
achieved. It is performed by priming a small section of the
worst part of the floor and placing a 1 x 1 section of membrane
according to the membrane manufacturers instructions. After a
24-hour cure, check membrane adhesion to the substrate.
Make a cut in the center of the sample with a knife and peel
it back. Transfer of the rubberized compound should be evident
and the membrane should be difficult to remove. If it is removed
easily without evidence of transfer, do not proceed with the
installation. Call the manufacturer for corrective action.
5. Use Quality Setting Materials. It is crucial that the proper
setting material be applied for successful hard surface flooring
installations. Large format tiles installed via the thin-bed
method require a medium-bed mortar meeting ANSI A118.4.
The use of a 1/2 by 1/2 U-notch or square-notched trowel is
usually recommended for applying the medium-bed mortar.
Most national brand medium-bed mortar companies use a larger
aggregate in the matrix, which creates a stiffer, stronger mass
under the large-format tiles or stone.
DO NOT use a standard A118.4 latex mortar not designed
for large-format tiles, as they have a smaller aggregate and may
retain too much water contributing to the warpage and failure of
the tile. Some green marbles and absorbent clay tiles will require
special setting materials like an epoxy mortar or a rapid-set
mortar specifically designed for natural stone.
Crack isolation membrane systems serve an important purpose
and when installed correctly, can provide a lifetime of protection
for a flooring investment. Careful consideration of a membrane
system should be studied prior to installation, including the
performance data, the manufacturers recommendations for a
suitable substrate and condition of the substrate.
Reading and following the manufacturers installation
instructions, the performance of a bond test, and the use of
a quality setting material appropriate for the hard surface
flooring being installed should also be observed. Following
these guidelines can go a long way towards ensuring the
successful installation and long-lasting beauty of the hard
FCI
surface fi nished floor.
Tom Duv is founder of NAC Products Inc. For more information, visit www.nacproducts.com.
35
FCI
SOUND CONTROL PRODUCTS GALLERY
Sound Seal Cerazorb

Now for Wood Flooring
Sound Seal presents Cerazorb
Acoustical Underlayment for wood
flooring. The product is available for
floating and glue-down wood flooring,
offering up to a 23 decibel decrease
in a lightweight system. Cerazorb
exhibits outstanding energy absorption
properties according to the company,
in addition to being non-toxic and
recyclable. Cerazorb also does not
support microbial growth.
soundseal.com
MAPEI Mapesonic 2
for Tile, Stone, Wood
MAPEIs Mapesonic 2 offers next-generation
technology, combining sound reduction and
crack isolation in a thin, flexible, lightweight,
load-bearing, fabric-reinforced peel-and-stick
membrane approved for ceramic tile, stone
and wood flooring. Mapesonic 2 is ideal for
sound reduction in both residential and light
commercial environments. The membrane also
helps prevent movement up to 3/8 wide from
transmitting through flooring assemblies.
mapei.com
Maxxons Acousi-Mat HP:

Three Sound-Control Products
Maxxon Corp. presents the Acousti-Mat HP series of
high-performance sound control mats: Acousti-Mat II HP,
Enkasonic HP and Acousti-Mat 3 HP. Acousti-Mat II HP
adds sound control without adding to the overall floor
height. Enkasonic HP requires only a 1 topping yet adds
significant impact sound control. Acousti-Mat 3 HP provides
ultimate sound control without significantly increasing the
overall floor height, the company noted.
maxxoncorporation.com
36
Custom Building Products

EasyMat for Tile/Stone
A versatile mat underlayment
when setting tile and stone
over concrete, plywood, primed
OSB or another acceptable
subfloor, EasyMat Tile & Stone
Underlayment from Custom
Building Products is up to 25
times lighter than 1/4 (6 mm)
backerboard, cuts easily with a
utility knife, doesnt require any
nails or screws, and comes in
a peel-and-stick version. It also
features SoundGard Technology
to provide high and credible
impact sound reduction.
custombuildingproducts.com
Stauf ULC-500 Level-Seal a Two-Part Urethane

ULC-500 Level-Seal is a two component urethane leveling
compound capable of creating a moisture barrier of up to 18 lbs.
CC or 97% RH. Once cured, installation can begin by applying
adhesive directly to the urethane sealer. ULC-500 must be spread to
a minimal thickness of 1/32 but can be applied as thick as 5. ULC500 provides moisture mitigation and levels of STC/IIC that will meet
most sound transmission codes, according to the company.
staufusa.com
W.F. Taylors Acous-Tec

Designed for Floating Floors
W.F. Taylors Acous-Tec Sound Reducing
Liquid Underlayment Patch and Leveler is
designed for all floating floor systems (vinyl
tile/plank, laminate and wood) to reduce
sound transmission. Acous-Tec offers
ASTM E492/ASTM E-986-06 impact rating
up to 71 IIC, reducing the resistance to
transmission of impact noise or structureborne noise, and ASTM E90-04/E413-10
sound transmission loss rating up to 67
STC, reducing airborne sounds.
wftaylor.com
NAC Super SAM 125

a Sound-Deadening Sheet
NAC Products Super SAM 125 has
achieved a 51 IIC and 54 STC on a
bare 6 concrete slab in a recently
conducted laboratory test. The selfadhering, sound-deadening sheet
membrane can be used over 6 or 8
concrete slabs, with or without a sound
rated ceiling assembly. Super SAM
125 also provides up to 3/8 of crack
isolation protection and can function
as waterproofing membrane when
used in conjunction with SubSeal liquid
waterproofing membrane.
nacproducts.com
Sound Suppression in
Tec Sheet Membrane
H.B. Fuller Construction Products Tec Crack
Isolation Sheet Membrane is a peel-andstick underlayment that protects ceramic
tile, natural stone and other hard surface
flooring from in-plane cracks and movement
up to 3/8. It also contributes to sound
suppression in commercial and residential
settings. It can be used indoors over a
variety of substrates and over most existing
vinyl, tile and stone floors.
tecspecialty.com
MP Globals QuietWalk
Includes Moisture Management
MP Global Products QuietWalk underlayment, made primarily
from postindustrial/pre-consumer textiles diverted from landfill,
is engineered to enhance performance of floating wood and
laminate floors. Filaments are randomly air-laid, creating a
capillary effect to cushion the floor, absorb sound and help
floating floors sound more like fastened wood. QuietWalk also
features an exclusive moisture management system and adds
0.50 R-value to the flooring system.
quietwalk.com
Roxuls SafenSound
Made Using Stone Wool
Roxul SafenSound stone wool insulation is ideal for interior wall partitions,
ceiling and floor applications where acoustic dampening is required. Stone
wool is a combination of natural basalt rock and recycled slag, a byproduct of
steelmaking. It reduces air flow and sound transmissions between rooms due
to its unique non-direction structure and dense content, according to Roxul.
roxul.com
37
UNDERLAYMENTS
B Y T E R R A D O N N E L LY, A S S O C I AT E E D I T O R
UNDERSTANDING UNDERLAYMENTS
FOR HARDWOOD, LAMINATE, RESILIENT
looring underlayments
for laminate, hardwood
and resilient flooring
are designed for many
thingsincluding sound
absorption, stability, moisture protection
and extra comfort underfoot. Whether
recycled rubber, cork, wood composite,
foam or sheet, these products are built
to withstand everyday stressesas long
as theyre installed properly.
Subfloor prep. Subfloor prep is
critical to any successful installation for
any underlayment and the major source
of failures. Inadequate prep results
in laitance [an accumulation of fine
particles on the surface of concrete] and
other bond-breakers, forming a barrier
between the underlayment and the
38
subfloor, said Joe Hostler, Dependable

general manager. In laymens terms,
if you dont clean up the dirt, you
are going to stick to it instead of the
concrete underneath.
According to Larry Scott, DriTac vice
president, field technical services, subfloor
preparation is key for all types of floor
coverings. Proper subfloor conditions
center primarily on being clean, flat and
dry as commonly referenced by industryaccepted standards. Proper subfloor
preparation is paramount and should be
among the preeminent objectives when
attempting to achieve a successful flooring
installation.
David Ford, vice president of sales
and marketing, Stauf USA, echoed
those sentiments. Subfloor prep is the
foundation of good installation. If you

have hollow spots or high spots in the
floor it could turn a great floor into a
less than appealing installation.
Patrick Giles, vice president, technical
and R&D, Maxxon, also stressed
the importance of subfloor prep.
Components of floor prep are moisture
or relative humidity testing, and
determining floor smoothness, flatness
or levelness as well as whether floor patch
and sanding will be necessary. Also
important is determining the porosity
An installer from ReSource New
Jersey used DriTac 6200 premium
pressure-sensitive flooring adhesive
over Healthier Choices Sound Solution
Underlayment to install engineered
hardwood flooring.
Mary Bishop* was

devoted to her
familys flooring
business. When a
Christmas Eve seizure
led to the discovery
of a grade III brain
tumor, Mary suddenly had to focus on an
intense treatment plan which included
radiation, and chemotherapy.
her about the Floor

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Do you know someone who could use our assistance? Let them know theres hope.
For information or to make a donation, please call 714.634.0302 or visit FCIF.org.
*The FCIF treats all of its grant recipients confidentially. Mary wanted to share her story with the public but asked that we keep their identity veiled. Her name has been changed
A subfloor needs to be clean, flat and dry in order for underlayment or flooring to be
installed. Often, as in this picture courtesy of Keene Building Products, the subfloor
will need a lot of prep.
of the subfloor, whether a primer/sealer

is required and choosing the proper
adhesive depending on your findings.
Bas Vangenderen, managing director,
InstaFloor NA, said even small
imperfections in an improperly prepped
subfloor can spell trouble. These
small imperfections can cause echo
chambers to form below the hardwood
unless the underlay adheres to the base
of the board. Non-adhesive underlays
with irregular subfloors fall away from
the base of the board in the subfloor
depression areas and footstep noise is
reflected back into the room.
Moisture concerns. Determining
the amount of moisture in a subfloor
is critical. Improper installation can
lead to many problems in the substrate
and in the flooring, such as cracking,
40
creaking and unwanted panel shifting.

Moisture testing is an essential
part of prep, noted Brad Miller, vice
president of product management and
development, QEP. A moisture test is
always recommended on the subfloor
before installing any type of flooring.
Flooring should never be installed over
subfloors with a moisture level that
exceeds the recommended level as stated
by the flooring manufacturer.
Testing the moisture levels can never
be skipped when installing hardwood
flooring, Ford explained. Moisture
vapor testing is an absolute must.
The slab has to be tested for vapor
emissionno slacking in this area.
Its as important as using a trowel for
spreading. Dont assume a slab is dry
just because it looks dry.
Hostler stated the nature of hardwood

flooring to expand and contract in
all directions makes moisture control
underneath hardwood critical. For slab
installations, we recommend contractors
follow ASTM 3010. This requires a perm
rating of .10 or less which will ensure that
the hardwood can handle the moisture
emissions coming from the subfloor.
When in doubt, consult the
manufacturer. Subfloor moisture control
requirements are typically determined
by manufacturer recommendations and
subsequent moisture testing conducted
prior to the floor covering installation,
said Scott. There are several types of
moisture mitigation products available
on the market. Make sure to first check
the manufacturer specifications before
installing any kind of floor type, and that
includes underlayments.
Vangenderen noted that a vapor retardant
or Damp Proof Membrane (DPM) is
required below hardwood floors where
there is any concern regarding moisture.
When in doubt use a DPM. This does not
have to be part of the underlay, but could
be a separate 6 or 12 mil polyethylene sheet
or Visqueen. The underlay can then be
laid on top of the DPM and the hardwood
installed on the underlay. This is a highly
effective moisture barrier system that is
simple and cost-effective to install.
Sound control. Acoustic performance
of a flooring system greatly improves
the perception of quality and comfort
of occupants and neighbors, stated Eric
Kurtz, hardwood installation systems
market manager, Bostik. While acoustic
underlayments are available for use
under floated floors to reduce sound
transmission between floors, the sound
of footsteps on the floating flooring is
typically much louder than footsteps on
glue-down flooring applications.
Jack Boesch, MP Global Products
director of marketing, said sound control
underlayment is most often installed in
multi-family properties. If youre in a
single family home youre not as worried
about the transfer of sound.
In sound control situations, wood
underlayments are typically floated over
or glued to the top floor, noted Dale Asp,
Using InstaFloors InstaLay system under LVT.
national business development manager,

Impacta. Rarely will it be acceptable
to nail. There are underlayment
options that offer a sleeper system
that will allow you to nail 3/4 solids
without compromising installation. It
is important to note that by using this
method you wont penetrate the actual
acoustical product; therefore you wont
compromise the acoustic value.
He added, There are some acoustical
underlayments offered on the market
that are designed to both correct
subfloor imperfections as well as offer
sound control. Like anything else, any
imperfections being dealt with must be
within reason for these solutions to be
applicable.
Giles prefers a specific sound control
product installation when working
with LVT. LVT applied directly over a
sound mat is temporary sound control
if the underlayment itself is not floating
over a sound mat. If you remove and
replace it with a different floor finish,
the sound control may change for the
worse. LVT installed directly over sound
Pak-Lites Selitbloc underlayment is designed for floating LVT and

is designed to meet the need for acoustic improvements while also
protecting the LVT from damage, according to the company.
mats have trouble at the lower end of the

frequency spectrum, which can generate
footfall complaints.
He added, It is my opinion and
significant experience that permanent
sound mats be installed under a
pumpable underlayment, which, with the
appropriate mat, would meet or exceed
footfall code before the finished floor
coverings, as this allows floor finishes to
be changed and replaced over the years
without sacrificing sound control.
Other considerations. Operations
manager of Builders Granite & Tile
in Houston, Andres Lopez, says an
essential part of the installation process
is getting it right the first time. We
as installers have to be cautious. We
have to make sure were using proper
adhesives so the flooring is able to
function properly. The only downside
I see with LVT is when it comes to the
repairsplanking tends to suffer a bit
more through the construction process.
Resilient flooring is also susceptible
to telegraphing, said Bob Cummings,
Pak-Lite sales and marketing manager.
Telegraphing is where objects below

the floor visually show through to the
top of the vinyl flooring over time. Its
cause can be traced to cracks and minor
protrusions in the subfloor or variations
in height of the subfloor.
Vangenderen noted floor prep for
resilient is much more demanding
because of this reason. Resilient
floorcoverings tend to telegraph any
subfloor imperfections, which become
visible and unsightly when looking down
at the floor. Laminate and hardwood
are more forgiving of minor subfloor
imperfections, but major subfloor
problems will still need to be addressed
and rectified before installation.
Miller emphasizing the importance
of choosing the right underlayment for
the job. Picking the right underlayment
for your flooring and the type of
installation is essential to the success of
the project. Good surface preparation
and the right underlayment mean
beautiful floors can be enjoyed for
many years. The underlayment is just as
FCI
essential as the flooring itself.
n
n
41
INSPECTIONS
BY ROY REICHOW
Mitigating Moisture in Wood Floors
hether were
speaking
of topically
applied
moisture,
or moisture
intrusion from the side or beneath the
wood floor, moisture intrusion can be
tricky to mitigate correctly. In many
cases, production schedules often dictate
our timeline and how long we have to
mitigate moisture-related concerns. With
wood flooring being moisture-sensitive,
it is very important to understand a few
basic principles.
Understanding properties of wood
flooring. Its vitally important to
ensure proper mitigation techniques
are used to salvage a water-damaged
wood floor. In almost all cases, wood
flooring manufacturers produce their
product between 6-9% moisture content.
Therefore, it is necessary to ensure
moisture is balanced from above and
below the wood floor to keep the wood
stable. Elevated subfloor moisture content
will cause buckling, cupping, compression
42
and other problems to any wood floor.

Subfloor dryingplywood/OSB/
pine. Many mitigation professionals use
scan-type moisture meters to take their
readings during the drying process. These
meters can be used to provide a snapshot
of moisture conditions throughout the
project; however they are not accurate
enough for a detailed look at the wood
flooring. These types of meters send a
signal approximately to 1 in depth,
providing an average moisture content
throughout the thickness of the material.
These types of meters work well for
the beginning drying process. Once the
moisture content is 15% or below, it is
recommended to use an insulated pintype meter. This will provide gradient
moisture measurements and provide
different moisture levels, whether in the
hardwood flooring or the subfloor.
If moisture levels are elevated above
the dry standard within the project,
cupping of the wood floor is inevitable. It
is vitally important to ensure the subfloor
and flooring moisture levels is the same
as the dry standard within the rest of
the property before any remedial floor

restoration takes place.
There are a few concerns with drying
plywood, as some of the adhesives
used to adhere the plies together will
provide false negative readings. We must
understand the pin meter is a resistancetype meter which measures the resistance
between the two pins to obtain a reading.
Many plywood adhesives have properties
which provide resistance and give us
inaccurate test results. In many cases the
moisture levels will record higher due to
the resistance properties of the adhesive.
This wouldnt matter if it was a
plywood subfloor or the plywood core
(back) of the engineered product. It
may require cutting a small section
of plywood out of the subfloor and
placing the pins between the adhesive
lines to obtain an accurate moisture
reading. This is essential to the success of
mitigating the wood floor properly.
Above: Tented drying does not
cause rapid evaporation, but it can
create face-checking of the flooring if
precautions arent taken.
Look for the
CLEARSELECT AWARD,
presented to companies that

achieve an outstanding level
of brand preference.
www.clearseasresearch.com/clearselect
When using a drying mat to bring

wood flooring moisture content down,
take care not to use the mat past 14%
moisture content. Otherwise, you may
end up with structural damage of the
floor.
Drying systems. Many technicians

use drying mats to bring the wood
flooring moisture content down. This is
fine for the initial drying process of the
wood floor; however, once the moisture
content gets down around 14% the mat
drying must cease. If it is required to
continue the drying process it would be
recommended to use a tenting system
until the dry standard has been obtained.
The reason for pulling the mats off
around 14% is to prevent fiber structural
damage.
In many cases when the mat drying is
left on after obtaining 14% (safe zone),
excessive shrinking will occur. This
scenario could happen in an overnight
situation depending on fiber density and
porosity of the wood flooring. The mat
drying is so effective one could reach the
safe zone at 4 p.m. and be in the danger
zone by 6 a.m. from cell wall collapse.
The tech may not reach the jobsite until
after 8 a.m. when structural damage is
already done.
Tented drying. Tented drying is
simply controlling the air space between
the wood surface and the atmosphere.
44
This process is considerably much slower,

but does not cause rapid evaporation that
could lead to fiber/cell wall damage. The
greatest risk we have in tented drying is
where the air supply duct enters the tent
and provides the driest location, which
may cause face checking on engineered
and/or solid wood floors. This area
should be rotated as the drying process is
taking place.
Concrete drying. Mitigating moisture
in a concrete subfloor was covered last
month in this magazine, so Im not going
to get into specifics. Ill just say whatever
requirements are given by the flooring
manufacturer/adhesive manufacturer
regarding moisture control systems
need to be followed under moisturesensitive flooring like wood. If the
test results are not favorable for wood
flooring, the adhesive manufacturer
will suggest moisture control systems
to be used under the wood floor. Its
vitally important to follow flooring
manufacturers specifications regarding
concrete and mitigate appropriately.
Flooring underlayment papers. Lets
say we have a wood floor mechanically
fastened over a wood subfloor that has

experienced water damage. The first
thing we must identify is what type of
flooring underlayment paper was used
under the floor. The reason for this is
some underlayment papers have a perm
rating of .7 to 1, which will make it
virtually impossible to dry the subfloor
through this underlayment paper
(moisture retarder). Even though flooring
underlayment paper has been perforated
by mechanical fasteners, the water has
penetrated through the tears of the paper
onto the subfloor.
In many cases the wood floor is still
going to have to be refinished; therefore
the restoration professional can remove
one short plank next to the baseboard
to identify the underlayment paper. If
the underlayment paper is identified as a
low-perm rating product, it would require
the drying process to be done from above
and below the wood floor. In that case,
the drying of the plywood would be from
beneath the floor and the wood floor
drying would be from the top side.
Timing is important here because
of the potential mold growth that
could happen in a matter of a few days
if moisture levels exceed 15% for an
extended period of time. Depending on
the starting point of the water damage,
i.e. 35%, there may not be enough time
to dry the wood floor below the threat
of mold. Therefore, in some cases lowperm rating underlayment papers may
require removal of the wood floor and
underlayment paper to dry the wood
subfloor before the restoration process.
Flooring restoration. Flooring
restoration typically means replacement
or repair of a few planks up to several
hundred square feet. Before this process
begins we must understand a few simple
rules between mitigation services and
flooring professionals. In many cases the
mitigation team will say the floor is dry
at 12% when the dry standard within the
home may be 8% and flooring restoration

work cannot begin until the dry standard
has been obtained. Sometimes when were
looking at a 4% difference this may mean
one to two months of additional drying
on its own prior to any flooring restoration
work. If the wood floor restoration is
rushed before obtaining the dry standard
moisture content, the flooring, which is
most likely cupped at the time of remedial
work, will experience crowning within
months thereafter.
This phenomenon happens when we
dont obtain moisture balance throughout
the thickness of the flooring and subfloor
to reach the dry standard of the non-
concerned area. The delay from the time

moisture mitigation began to reaching
the dry standard may be outside the
timeline of the project. Therefore in
cases such as this, it may be required to
complete removal of the wood floor and
dry the subfloor to the dry standard and
replace with new flooring. This process
may cost up to 65% more than just
waiting the additional time for the floor
to properly dry. This is the Catch-22
between the insured and the insurance
company and who picks up the tab for
the delay or additional costs.
Flooring restoration is not as simple
as one may think, as wood flooring can
only release moisture at a certain rate and

speed. Wood flooring may take several
months to reach a dry standard prior
to the refinishing process. Often when
damaged, cupped wood flooring is given
appropriate time to dry; it will most
likely be reasonably flat and sometimes
undetectable other than a few high edges.
Once flooring reaches the baseline, it
takes two to three additional weeks to
stabilize the wood flooring from previous
tension and stress.
When it comes to mitigating wood
flooring there is one simple rule: Dont
be in a hurry unless you want to do it
FCI
over again.
n
n
Roy Reichow brings over 40 years of experience in the wood flooring industry as a wood floor contractor, consultant and educator. Roy is founder
and principle of Reichow Parquet Flooring and National Wood Floor Consultants. He holds National Wood Flooring Association Certified Professional certification in Wood Floor Installation, Sanding, Finishing, Sales Counselor, Inspector and Commercial Inspector. Roy also serves on the
National Wood Flooring Associations Certified Professional Board of Directors and Marketing Committee.
Roy has authored articles published by the NWFA and the International Fraud Update, a publication of the International Association of Insurance
Fraud Agencies. His wood flooring projects have been featured in American Woodworkers Magazine, Better Homes and Gardens, and Mpls/St.
Paul magazine.
Roy has led educational seminars for the NWFA, wood flooring distributors, contractors, and home builders, and has been a featured
speaker at the MPLS Home & Garden Show.
Roy is a regional trainer for the NWFA and is an instructor for the Wood Floor Maintenance Technician (WFMT) course for IICRC. He
also conducts sales training for various wood floor retailers. You may contact him at Roy@nwfc.net.
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45
RADIANT HEATING
BY JACK BOESCH
Installing In-Floor Electric

Radiant Heat
n-floor electrical radiant heat

installed under tile floors, floating
floors and glue-down hardwood is
a hot trend these days. It entered the
marketplace some years ago primarily
in high-end new construction and
renovations, where it has been a popular
option under tile, floating floors and
laminate in bathrooms, kitchens, family
rooms and mudrooms. Now in-floor
electric radiant heat is finding favor
as a perk in mid-tier and multi-family
housing as well as in light commercial,
hospitality and residential healthcare
facilities.
In-floor electric radiant heat systems
are very user friendlyno drafts, noisy
fans or blowers, and no moving parts.
Unlike hot air systems or hydronic
46
baseboard radiator systems, which heat

air and move the heated air around a
space, in-floor electric radiant heat warms
objects in the room, including people.
Because the systems deliver even,
gentle heat controlled at the local
level, end users often reap comfort
and cozy benefits for threeor even
fourseasons of the year. In recent
years, new technologies for generating
and delivering the heat have enabled a
variety of affordable systems that feature
straightforward installation. In the past,
heat wires had to be laid in a mortar bed
with the finished floor installed on top
(and all the extra steps that required).
Now, however, there are products on
the market that either roll out or are
laid out over a subfloor or on top of
underlayment, with the finished floor

installed right after.
The systems feature just a few main
components: the heating elements (which
can be heating cables, heating mats
or mesh, or heating film); an in-floor
sensor which monitors the temperature
of the floor (and typically aims for a
setting a few degrees above the room
temperature); and a GFCI thermostat,
generally wall-mounted, that affords
local control.
Residential settings. The residential
target market for in-floor electric radiant
heat includes families with babies and
Above: Before installing any type of underlayment or
in-floor electric radiant heating system, make sure the
subfloor is clean and free of any debris.
Top Left: Rolling out MP Global Products QuietWalk

underlayment before a radiant heat install.
Center: When installing the underlayment, be sure to
butt the seams.
Bottom: The companys QuietWarmth Radiant Floor
Heating Film is rolled out.
toddlers who play on the floor, older

homeowners and builders of adult
communities where residents would
appreciate the extra bit of warmth that
in-floor electric radiant heat can provide.
It can also be an easy sell for rooms in
the house that are at the far end of the
zone of the primary heating system.
The systems can also be used as gentle
heat for rooms otherwise unheated, such
as a three-season room, a finished but
unheated attic, or a finished but unheated
basement.
Systems for tile floors are also available
that combine the electric radiant heat
elements with underlayment. The
underlayment may include an antifracture membrane that isolates lateral
cracks up to 3/8 in a concrete subfloor
from telegraphing through to the tile or
grout above. This same type of system
can also be used with glue-down wood
floors. For wood-frame construction,
there are systems designed to be installed
under the subfloor, just wide enough
to fit between the joists supporting the
subfloor.
Commercial settings. In the
commercial sector, in-floor radiant heat is
an efficient way to provide supplemental
heating in offices and other workspaces
that, because of location in the building,
placement and configuration of windows
and other non-controllable factors,
could benefit from the ability to activate
added warmth to the space. It is also an
excellent way to provide additional heat
in offices built inside converted lofts,
former factories or other high-ceilinged
repurposed spaces. Tucked away under
the floor, out of sight and operating
silently, in-floor electric radiant heat is
quieter and safer than space heaters that
may hum and can tip over when set up
next to or under a desk.
Programmable thermostats can be
set to activate the electric radiant heat
individually in each office, enabling
47
Top Left: After the radiant heat system is in

place, create a channel for the wires to run from
the system to the junction box.
Bottom: Recess the wires into the channel you
made and duct tape them securely.
highly customizable comfort at the start

of each work day. Both line voltage and
low voltage systems are available, with
power consumption measured by wattage
output per square foot. The standard
wattage density is 812 watts per square
foot, an expenditure that does not exceed
warranty requirements for most floating
floors.
48
Many systems are tested and UL

(Underwriters Laboratories) listed,
UL-Canada ETL or CSA (Canadian
Standards Association) listed. Typically,
they are easy to install, requiring the
services of a licensed electrician only
for the final hookup of lead wires at
the junction box to the power and the
thermostat. Typically, the systems are
maintenance-free. Some are also certified

to UL 1683 (requirements covering fixed
electric heating products for installation
under floor coverings and above a
subfloor, in accordance with NEC,
NFPA 70, Article 424, for use on system
voltages not exceeding 600V).
Types of products. Products that
feature mats or rollout film come in a
variety of sizes, making it easy to fit the
system to a room layout, especially those
with irregular spaces or spaces broken
up by interior walls and partitions.
In the current crop of systems, some
manufacturers offer products that feature
elements that are very thin and dont
detectably raise the level of the finished
floor.
While some systems feature cables
that cannot be modified, others are
engineered so the electric elements can
be cut, potentially enabling coverage of
a greater percentage of the floor surface
with minimal effort and minimal waste.
For example, some systems feature
heating elements laid out in parallel on
the pad, which can be cut between the
parallel heating elements. This type of
system also affords the advantage that if
one section is damaged or compromised,
the rest of the elements continue to heat.
Layout and installation. While
products that provide even, gentle heat
are designed to be safe for finished
flooring, it is always a good idea to
check with the flooring manufacturer to
determine compatibility and warranty of
their products before installing over floor
heat. Before starting any installation,
read the instructions that come with the
system. In addition, often manufacturers
have step-by step videos of how to install
their systems posted on their websites.
By UL requirement, electric radiant
heat must be kept a minimum of at
least 6 away from the outer edges of
permanent structures and fixtures,
including all walls; and in bathrooms 6
away from tubs, water closets and other
bathroom fixtures. If the installation

includes a floor sensor to monitor the
temperature of the floor, be sure to install
it before starting to install the finished
flooring.
A typical installation of a rollout
system would pretty much proceed along
the lines of the steps below and may or
may not include underlayment designed
to enhance the overall performance of
the particular type of finished floor.
Underlayment well-matched to the type
of finished floor can improve acoustics in
the room, provide additional insulating
value and good compression resistance
that supports more comfortable walking.
It can also provide moisture management
that helps protect wood, engineered
wood, laminate and luxury vinyl flooring
from moisture that can adversely affect
the finished floor. Under laminate,
underlayment designed for that flooring
can absorb the click sounds commonly
associated with the material and help the
finished floor sound more like real wood.
The following steps are what you
can expect to encounter when working
with an in-floor electric radiant heating

system. Always follow manufacturer
instructions for proper installation.
1. Clean the subfloor so it is free of any
debris and make sure the subfloor
fasteners are secure and wont protrude
above the surface of the subfloor.
The subfloor can be wood, concrete,
backer board, or OSB. If the subfloor
is concrete, it may be necessary to
lay down a vapor barrier and then
construct a second subfloor over it,
especially if the subfloor is at or below
grade.
2. Draw a sketch of the best layout of the
panels, including the locations of the
floor sensor, the thermostat and the
junction box. Plan to position the panels
so that the factory-attached wires at the
ends of each are on the same side of the
room as the junction box.
3. If you are including underlayment
(fiber, cork, foam or rubber) in the floor
assembly, install it now over the entire
floor area, butting the seams.
4. Roll out the panels, mats or film
Once the system has been tested by an

electrician, install the flooring as usual.
and fit them into the layout. Systems

that come in various lengths and
widths offer the advantage of
minimizing waste and/or cutting to fit.
5. Make a channel for the wires to run
from the mats or panels to the location
of the junction box.
6. Recess the wires and duct tape them
securely into place.
7. Run all the lead wires and the floor
sensor wire to the junction box.
8. If the system includes an in-floor
sensor, install it now.
9. Once the wires are at the junction box,
the electrician can test the floor circuits
and connect the wires.
10. As soon as the system is tested, the
installer can lay the floor.
An affordable supplemental heat
system easily installed under new
flooring, in-floor electric radiant heat
systems can be a profitable addition to
FCI
many flooring jobs.
n
n
Jack Boesch is the director of marketing at MP Global Products LLC, an innovator and market leader in the manufacture of Made-in-America infloor electric radiant heat systems for floating floors and tile floors. For more information, visit www.quietwalk.com or call (888) 379-9695.
49
AD INDEX
Company Name
Pg
CRI ................................................................................................ 9
(706) 278-3176 www.carpet-rug.org
Custom Building Products ............................................................. 7
(800) 272-8786 www.custombuildingproducts.com
CTEF ........................................................................................... 28
(864) 222-2131 www.tilecareer.com
FCIF ............................................................................................. 39
(714) 634.0302 www.fcif.org
Franklin Intl ................................................................................. 13
(800) 877-4583 www.titebond.com
HPS North America ....................................................................... 5
(855) 391-2649 www.hpsubfloors.com
LATICRETE ................................................................................. 26
(800) 243-4788 www.laticrete.com
Lignomat USA ............................................................................. 22
(800) 227-2105 www.lignomat.com
Loba Wakol .................................................................................. 28
(800) 230-6456 www.loba-wakol.com
MAPEI Corp. ............................................................................. 2,21
(800) 426-2734 www.mapei.com
Maxxon ........................................................................................ 17
(800) 356-7887 www.maxxoncorporation.com
NAC Products .............................................................................. 22
(800) 633-4622 www.nacproducts.com
Proknee ....................................................................................... 23
(800) 549-5018 www.proknee.com
QEP/Homelux.............................................................................. 27
(561) 994-5550 www.homeluxusa.com
Schluter Systems ....................................................................... 15
(800) 472-4588 www.schluter.com
STAUF ......................................................................................... 52
(866) 458-3872 (GLUEUSA) www.staufusacom
StonePeak ..................................................................................... 3
(312) 506-2800 www.stonepeakceramics.com
Suntouch ..................................................................................... 18
(888) 432-8932 www.suntouch.com
TEC Specialty, Div of HB Fuller Const. Products ........................ 11
(800) 552-6225 www.tecspecialty.com
TISE 2016 .................................................................................... 51
(866) 860-1975 www.TISEwest.com
Traxx ............................................................................................ 19
(888) 872-9926 www.traxxcorp.com
Wagner Meters .................................................................. 25,45,50
(800) 634-9961 www.wagnermeters.com
Editors Note: The Advertisers Index is provided as a service to our
readers. No liability is created by nor accepted for any inadvertent errors
or omissions.
CLASSIFIED
2014-9_UCTS_FCI.qxp_Layout 7 9/26/14 9:37 AM Page 1
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October 2015 $17.00

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No matter how you slice it

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October 2015 Vol. 22, No. 6

On the cover: An installation

Manufacturers of tile-setting materials share their

Industry experts talk about the installation of

18 CTEF TILE TIP

34 AVOIDING CRACK ISOLATION FAILURES

Columnist Roy Reichow explains how vital it is

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