Tools, Supplies and Resource Center for Flooring Contractors.
When everyone is talking about “back-to-school” supplies it’s a good reminder to make sure your toolbox has the right items! A skilled floor installer can transform any space with precision, but having the right tools at their disposal makes the job more efficient and seamless. Whether you’re a professional or a DIY enthusiast looking to […]
Caulk is a crucial element in maintaining the integrity of showers and bathrooms by preventing water seepage, which can cause mold growth and other damage. However, over time, caulk deteriorates, leading to gaps, cracks, and discoloration. Because it serves such a vital role, you shouldn’t cover existing caulk with new caulk – that masks the […]
Summer can be brutal for those who work in the construction industry. Spending too much time in hot and humid conditions without the proper protection can result in serious heat-related illnesses, such as heat stroke, heat exhaustion, heat cramps, sunburn when working outside, and heat rash. Keep your you and your employees safe from the […]
Check out these video shorts from the One Way to Make channel, featuring items available from ShagTools:
As a contractor or DIY homeowner, your tools are an investment that you rely on to get the job done. However, it’s easy to overlook keeping tools clean and maintained, particularly when it takes time at the end of the day when you’re tired and want to get home. This month we share reasons to […]
Every week we get questions from tile installers and this month we’ve compiled some of our most popular tips. Read on for some suggestions that may help with an upcoming project: Water Droplet Test Here’s a new tip from the TEC team – when determining how to prime your substrate, you can perform the ASTM […]
Tile floor installations can be a beautiful addition to any home or building, but in order for the installation to look its best, it’s important to select the right mortar and grout products. Here are some tips and guidelines to select the right mortar and grout for your project. Mortar Mortar is the adhesive used […]
It’s hard to recover from a bad carpet install. If seams come apart, or the carpet wrinkles because it wasn’t stretched properly, fixing the issue often means replacing an entire room – or an entire job! Unlike tile and wood floors, it’s hard to do a spot repair or fix with carpet. If you have […]
When it comes to cutting tile, accuracy and efficiency matter. Nothing delays a tile job like lots of cutting and trimming – whether it’s for an intricate design or adjusting for drains and fixtures, every minute spent cutting is time not spent laying tile or applying grout. Great installers know tile cutting is the key […]
If you talk with leading tile installers, you’ll likely hear them reference Schluter®-Systems products. The reason? Schluter has developed an impressive array of installation materials that are easier to install and provide the highest level of quality and protection. Gone are the days of shower pan liners and concerns about waterproofing and leaks. The Schluter […]
Choosing the right knee pad for contractors isn’t easy – there are lots of choices, and confusion, because pads are used so many ways. Many flooring installers just starting out may be tempted to buy whatever knee pad catches their eye – or even use those old skateboarding pads from the garage. That’s a mistake […]
Tile installers face a lot of challenges on the job site – particularly with remodeling projects where surfaces are often not flat, square or level. Add in the need for waterproof underlayment, varying substrates and complex designs and the job can turn into a headache. However, all of those elements are invisible to the customer. […]
Top tile and floor contractors know that the lowest acquisition cost for new clients comes from customer referrals. The most profitable jobs also come from happy customers – the ones who are wowed by what you can do and the end result, and are willing to pay extra for special features. Customizations like shower niches, […]
Check out this video from our friends at Schluter to see Schluter®-Thin-set Mortars used to install Schluter membranes and tile! There are 3 types of mortars available: Schluter SET, a premium unmodified thin-set mortar, Schluter ALL-SET, a specialized modified thin-set mortar, and Schluter FAST-SET, a specialized rapid-setting modified thin-set mortar. All 3 Schluter thin-set mortars […]
MAPEI’s Mapelastic AquaDefense is one of the quickest, easiest ways to ensure that your substrate is waterproofed. But are you applying it correctly? Here are some helpful tips from our friends a MAPEI. Mapelastic AquaDefense is a premixed, advanced liquid-rubber, extremely quick-drying waterproofing and crack-isolation membrane for installation under ceramic tile or stone in residential, […]
Troweling? Form matters. Holding a thin-set trowel at a 90° angle vs. a 45° angle increases the height of the trowel ridges by almost 30%! This translates to better adhesion and greater contact area between the tile and the substrate.
Here’s a new tip from the TEC team – when determining how to prime your substrate, you can perform the ASTM “Water Drop Test”. Drop some water on your substrate, then time it for 60 seconds. If the water soaks into the substrate completely in 60 seconds, it is absorptive and needs a primer. If […]
On a hot day, freshly mixed grout can dry more quickly than expected. In addition to making it a rushed job to finish before it hardens, grout that dries too quickly tends to be weaker and more likely to crack. Use the following tips from TEC Installation Systems when grouting in the heat of summer. […]