This Old House Uses TruColor Pre-Mixed Grout!

Tune into THIS OLD HOUSE on PBS on Wednesday, January 27th at 8:00 p.m. to see tile contractor Mark Ferrante install and grout a subway tile backsplash using "a new pre-mixed urethane grout that promises faster installation time, greater stain resistance, and no additional sealing." The grout he's using? TruColor PreMixed Grout, of course!

You can also pick up the latest issue of This Old House magazine,
hitting the stands January 18th, to see TruColor PreMixed Grout used as the grout of choice for installing a glass mosaic backsplash, featured in "Weekend Remodel". You can also see this feature Weekend Remodel on the This Old House website www.thisoldhouse.com

Installing Glass Tile

Glass tile installations have become very popular and are a growing market share. Glass tiles are ecologically sound (many glass tile are made from recycled glass) and offer a wide range of colors.

The key to achieving a good installation is substrate preparation. Substrate preparation is the #1 factor that accounts for the success or failure of an installation. Surfaces need to be clean, level and stable. It is highly recommended to use a waterproofing/crack isolation membrane prior to installing glass tiles to prevent shrinkage or movement in the substrate. We suggest Hydroment Gold, a Latex-Based Anti-Fracture and Waterproofing Membrane.

It is imperative to install all glass tiles with a quality white latex-fortified Portland cement thin set, as this will have the least affect on the color and transparency of the tiles. Some suggestions include Hydroment StoneWall High Performance-Non Sag Mortar or Hydroment ReFlex Ultra Premium Latex-Modified Thin Set Mortar. Never use any multi-purpose or regular thin set mortars or any type of mastic as this will may result in failure. To install the glass tiles, skim coat the substrate with the thin set using the flat side of the trowel then use the proper notch side of the trowel to install the tile. Press the tiles into the thin set ensuring that the back of the tiles are completely coated and flat.

After the thin set has cured, you are ready to start grouting. We suggest the use of Bostik's TruColor Pre-Mixed Urethane Grout. TruColor is excellent for glass tiles, offers the ultimate in color consistency, crack resistance and stain protection, TruColor never needs to be sealed! TruColor is a clean as you go product so we suggest you grout as far as you can reach (10-12 square foot area). Clean and rinse sponge in water and wring nearly dry. Please read installation directions for all products used to be assured of a successful installation.

Necessity is the Mother of Invention

Back in 1994, when Bostik introduced the first moisture cure urethane adhesive to the Hardwood Flooring Industry, we knew we had something special. Back then, few people knew about Bostik’s Best®, however, those that “gave it a try” quickly recognized the jump in technology and performance from the previously dominant chlorinated-solvent based adhesives.

If they didn’t recognize this while using it, some (unfortunately) figured out how tenacious the adhesive was if they failed to properly clean adhesive off the face of the finished floor during installation. If they didn’t follow directions, and left the adhesive on the face of the flooring, it was impossible to remove without damaging the floor - although the floors are repairable!

Back then, cleaning the adhesive off flooring & tools was a MAJOR obstacle to gaining significant market share. Bostik recognized that the cleaning the adhesive off flooring and tools was relatively easy if done at the right time - when the adhesive is fresh. However, we were definitely facing problems once the adhesive cured. At Bostik, we spent a lot of sleepless nights and endless tests to finally secure a product that could clean the adhesive effectively even after initial cure… thus, the invention of Bostik’s Ultimate Adhesive Remover!

Although this product does work, we again listened to our Customers who said “you need to help us PREVENT the problem in the first place!” As such, we took the unique step up putting the HUGE RED WARNING LABEL on the lid! We figured when opening the adhesive, you can’t help but look at the lid – which is the ideal place to put this important warning!

Once we took this important step, we estimate that we eliminated > 95% of the issues from ever occurring! We do keep our eyes open for further improvements with cleaners, so, if you are aware of any good “tricks of the trade”, don’t be afraid to give us some pointers – as we all learn new things every day!

The Sound Truth about Wood Flooring and Accoustical Systems

Many residents in multi-family construction and high rise condominiums would like to replace carpeting with wood flooring. However such installations are concerning due to condominium requirements and building codes relating to noise which may transfer to neighbors down stairs.

Fortunately there are several ways to meet or exceed local codes and not violate your condominium association rules.

The most common material used for this purpose is cork. Typically 1⁄4” cork underlayment installed beneath wood flooring is provides sufficient acoustical dampening to meet all requirements. Bostik sells both 1⁄4” and 1⁄2” cork underlayment which may be glued to concrete subfloors using any of Bostik’s Urethane adhesives. Once the cork is installed, wood flooring is bonded directly over the cork underlayment with a Bostik Urethane adhesive.

The cork system is popular and proven. However installation of cork prior to the flooring adds considerable labor, materials cost and elevation. So, as an alternative to cork Bostik manufactures MVP4 which is a liquid applied urethane membrane with good acoustical dampening properties. MVP4 is simply applied with a notched trowel the afternoon before installation of wood flooring. It is a quick, easy process that does not add any appreciable elevation to the project.

There are various acoustical systems on the market. Most of which are compatible with with Bostik Urethane adhesives. For more information call Bostik Technical Service at 800 523 6530

LEED Silver hospital -are there any useful suggestions that will safeguard this installation from potential failure for at least 10 years?

Prior to installing 50,000 square feet of recycled rubber flooring on the concrete slab of my client’s new LEED Silver hospital, are there any useful suggestions that will safeguard this installation from potential failure for at least 10 years?

The number one thing to do prior to the installation of virtually any floor covering on a concrete slab is to test for the presence of elevated moisture vapor emission or pH levels.
It is essential to install a moisture vapor barrier coating if either of these conditions is above industry standards, but also a wise step to take as a precautionary measure to avoid potential problems in the future. Perhaps the greatest reason floor covering installations fail today is due to the breakdown of the adhesives used due to elevated levels of either condition.

The most robust moisture vapor barrier coatings for the installation of rubber flooring are made of epoxy resins and are a great preventive measure for any installation, regardless of size. Bostik is a global leader in the sale of moisture vapor emission control systems and has a choice of two-component coatings available. Bostik’s Durabond D-250 Moisture Vapor Barrier Coating and D-261 Extreme Moisture Vapor Barrier Coating are both high performance, roller-applied, epoxy coatings that meet LEED credit MR 4.2 Low-Emitting Materials – Paints & Coatings. Both coatings have VOC contents well below the 100 g/L LEED limit for this category of waterproofing sealers. These coatings have minimal odor, dry rapidly and contain Bostik’s Blockade™ antimicrobial protection. Either coating can be used in conjunction with Bostik’s complete line of Durabond installation materials that include cement repair patches, self-leveling underlayments and adhesives. In fact, when used as part of a complete Bostik system, the installation can be warranted for a period of 10 years.

Controlling Moisture Vapor in Concrete Prior to Gluing Down Wood Flooring

All concrete surfaces regardless of age or grade level will release some level of moisture vapor. Vapor retarders such as Bostik's MVP4 Moisture Vapor Protection has been extremely effective in controlling the rate of vapor transmission from the subfloor when used in conjunction with any approved Bostik Urethane Adhesive. Bostik’s MVP4, being the first one-part, polyurethane product in the market, currently is the only vapor protection product that does not require moisture testing prior to use and also does not have an upper limit! Once your concrete substrate is properly prepared, MVP4 is easily troweled on using a 3/16" x 5/32" V-Notch trowel and has virtually no odor. After a short cure time of 12 hours, you can begin installing solid or engineered wood flooring using Bostik's Best, TKO, BSTurethane or EFA+.

My Tiles are cracking because the concrete underneath them cracked. Is there something we could have done to prevent that?

The answer is clearly YES!

First, if the cracking below your tile is a serious structural crack, then there are other more serious issues you need to address. However, if the cracks in your substrate are from cracking that is typical in concrete substrates (examples include control joint movement/cracks, or controlled/uncontrolled shrinkage cracks, or other nonstructural cracks), then yes you have options.

Bostik has been a pioneer in waterproofing and anti-fracture/crack suppressent membranes since the late 1980's. For the Hydroment brand, Ultra-Set Advanced® and Gold™ can be used over the entire substrate or in strategic areas of the installation. For the Durabond® brand D-222 DuraGuard® Membrane can be used over he entire substrate or in strategic areas of the installation. Both membranes exceed ANSI 118.10 (LOAD BEARING, BONDED, WATERPROOF MEMBRANES FOR THIN-SET CERAMIC TILE AND DIMENSION STONE INSTALLATIONS).
and ANSI 118.12 (SPECIFICATION FOR CRACK ISOLATION FOR CERAMIC TILE AND STONE INSTALLATIONS)
- which can prevent cracks in your Ceramic Tile, Porcelain, Marble, or Granite Installations for cracking in substrates up to 1/8". As always, please refer to Product Literature and industry standards for complete product information and proper installation procedures.