Whether you call the product "mastic," "adhesive," "stick-um" or -- as some old-time mud installers call it -- "chewing gum," it serves a wide variety of ceramic construction purposes. Mastic is fast, labor saving, inexpensive, and is ready to use as supplied in pails.

In 1975, U.S. tile consumption was made up primarily of quarry tile, 4 1/4-inch glazed wall tile, or unglazed mosaic. The overall consumption figure for 1975 was approximately 320 million square feet. By 1980, that figure increased approximately 37 percent. The rapid increase in consumption was due partly to the introduction of double-fired tile, which resulted in the introduction of more aesthetically pleasing tile that could also be used for flooring.

On Jan. 13, 1993, the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) approved a standard for load-bearing, bonded, waterproof membranes for thinset ceramic tile and dimensional stone installations. Specifically, the standard is ANSI A118.10-1993.

When it comes to the grouting process, one of the most pressing problems in the ceramic tile installation business is getting across the message that there are certain applications that require a flexible caulk joint.

Since I last wrote about sound-control systems (see NFT's August 2000 issue), the Tile Council of America has deleted from the TCA Handbook all floor details relating to sound transmission. However, the 2002 edition of the handbook does present sound-abatement details, including fire ratings, that pertain to wall installations.

From dealers and specifiers to installers and inspectors, almost everyone involved with the tile and stone industry knows that the Tile Council of America's (TCA) Handbook is the preeminent reference guide for installation methods and standards.

It's taken a while for mold problems to become associated with the flooring and tile industry. Be that as it may, mold has arrived on the scene and, therefore, it behooves you to familiarize yourself with its associated problems if you hope to protect yourself and your clients from its negative effects.

The use of proper and correctly prepared substrates is of critical importance to the successful installation of any floor covering material.

Game plans are not solely for National Football League teams. Every salesperson should have his or her own game plan to ensure success.

Floor-warming systems are becoming increasingly popular. On one hand, they provide retailers with an effective response to the consumer who refuses to consider buying floor tiles because they are “too cold for bare feet.”