SkimStone is formulated for application over concrete floors. Good adhesion has been achieved over a wide variety of materials but bare concrete is the only recommended substrate for SkimStone floors.

Concrete Floors must not contain a sealer or finish of any kind. For installing below grade (below floor level, like in basements), we recommend Basement Proofer to prepare concrete floors. First, clean the sub-floor for any remaining dirt and grease. Tiles must be in the room of installation for at least 2 days to stabilize temperature. Never use polyurethane over vinyl tile.

If the floor is cracked it is advisable to use an anti-fracture membrane, otherwise cracks may transmit through the tile. Also as stated in question #2 you cannot tile over a painted concrete floor.

Yes. However, tile will not bond directly to a wood floor. We recommend the following methods to prepare your wood floor for tile installation: Install Schluter Ditra, from Schluter Systems, with a latex thinset. Then install the tile using a non-latex thinset.

The Basement De-Watering System® is the ideal solution for carpeted basements. If the carpet has not been destroyed by years of water damage, enough of it can be moved or removed to provide clearance for the Basement De-Watering System®. Some carpets must be trimmed and replaced after the installation. If vinyl flooring has survived past seepage, it will be trimmed about 2 1/2" from the wall before the Basement De-Watering System® is installed.

We recommend using a non-rinsing cleaner that leaves no film. We suggest that you vacuum, sweep or dust mop more frequently. Wipe up food or other spills immediately using a non-abrasive cleaner and a soft cloth. You should NEVER USE ABRASIVE CLEANERS, POWDERS, OIL CLEANERS, WAXES OR DISH DETERGENT; this will scratch the surface or leave a film.

You can use primer to prepare a sub-floor for vinyl tile. It aids in preparing the floor for the adhesive. We recommend Jasco Primer. NEVER USE A SEALER! TrafficMaster Pro Basement Proofer is a type of primer that acts like a sealer, but allows adhesion of the tile to concrete floors. Most importantly, it helps prevent moisture from getting between tiles and the sub-floor.

Yes, our highly trained Floorguard® installers will remove the paint using heavy duty machinery, and then apply the Floorguard® floor system.

With the improvements in hardwood floors most engineered and longstrip engineered plank floors can be used over a concrete slab. Manufacturers do not recommend using solid wood floors over a slab. Engineered planks and strip wood floors can be glued directly to a clean, dry, well-cured concrete slab. Some engineered wood floors can be glued at the tongue and grooves and then allowed to be floated over a special padding that is laid over the concrete slab.

Floor Protection cannot be used on concrete. We do not recommend using any adhesive based products on wood. Dura Runner Plus can be used on both concrete and hardwood and other hard surfaces.

When the vinyl is firmly adhered to the floor and all contaminants and waxes have been stripped from the floor. If the vinyl is “cushioned,” it should be removed. Bear in mind that some older vinyl may contain asbestos, which can be dangerous if inhaled. In unsure, contact a professional.

We generally recommend that the underlayment be removed because the subfloor may mot be adequate to support tile; however if your existing vinyl floor was installed over an adequate subfloor using a full spread installation method then yes, it can be done if you use the proper installation products.

Answer: No, James Hardie does not recommend Ezi-Grid® Tile Underlay be fixed directly to a concrete floor by nailing or gluing.

No. You should never wet mop your wood floor. Standing water left after wet mopping can dull your finish, damage the wood, and leave unsightly discoloring. If you happen to spill water on your floor, clean it up as quickly as possible. If massive amounts of water leak out onto the floor, such as a dishwasher that has leaked, it might damage the floor to the point where it would need to be replaced. Most homeowners insurance companies would cover the repairs needed if this were to happen.

No. Carpet Protection is intended for use only on domestic synthetic carpeting. Also, we do not recommend using any adhesive based products on wood. Dura Runner Plus can be used on both concrete and hardwood and other hard surfaces.

The only difference is the type of underlayments you need to properly install your floor. Come in and ask a Laminate Professional for details.

Yes, you can install solid wood boards on a concrete slab. As 3/4'' boards must be nailed and not glued, you must first install a wood subfloor (plywood or OSB panels).

It is not recommended to install solid wood flooring over a concrete slab. Although this is the general rule, there have been successful installations of solid wood flooring installed over dry, concrete slabs. This entails several additional steps. A plastic barrier is set over the slab and taped at all seams. Then some sort of moisture-resistant wood subfloor (marine plywood) is built on top of the plastic film. Then the flooring is nailed to the wood subfloor.

Our technicians do not install floor tile, but we can recommend and coordinate with tile contractors to give your bathroom a completely new look.

Previously sealed or painted concrete must be taken to bare concrete by grinding or shot blasting. A diamond grinder is the preferred method. This will promote maximum adhesion of SkimStone to the concrete. After removing the old coatings make sure the surface is clean, then pour approximately 1 tablespoon of water on the surface. If the concrete changes color and absorbs the water, it will accept SkimStone.

It is the angle of the trowel, and the pressure applied, that result in the textured appearance unique to SkimStone. The trowel also helps to ensure that the SkimStone goes down in very thin coats. Other tools can certainly be used in applying SkimStone, such as brushes, rollers, or sponges. The final appearance and textures will vary with each application technique, as will coverage rates.

Bob, if you won the lottery what would you do to your home? (From your friends at the Remedy Building)

Layout - My husband is having trouble with the layout/cuts in the ceramic tile for our tub/shower area. There is an uncentered window in the primary wall. He keeps saying "no matter how I figure it, I still end up with 1/2" gap at the top of wall". Is there any way you can tell him what he's doing wrong? Thanks SOOO MUCH! Exterior Chimney - Do you have any information on tiling the exterior of a stucco chimney? Below freezing in winter.

Typically the removal and disposal of that type of asbestos containing material is not regulated by EPA (even commercially) if it is in good condition. If the material can be taken up with no significant breakage, there is little risk for fiber release.

Yes. The Texas Asbestos Health Protection Rules (TAHPR) allow a person who has had the Resilient Floor Covering Institute (RFCI) guidelines training to use those guidelines for flooring removal in leu of a license. The guidelines must be followed strictly.

It is very easy to clean a Pre-finished hardwood floor. Simply dust mop, sweep, or vacuum (vacuum should have rubber wheels so not to scratch the floor). Most flooring dealers also sell cleaning kits, which come with a mop as well as an approved cleaner. If you are not sure which cleaner is appropriate for your floor, contact your local dealer for assistance.

Power troweling provides a nice-looking, smooth finish on concrete floors. It creates a "hard cap" (crust) on the surface. But when overdone, the surface becomes shiny and the crust may be very thick (1/8" instead of 1/32"), which may lead to problems. (Uncured lumps pushed into the surface while still plastic will become stress points that may cause spider web cracking later. The thick hard cap may spall as the concrete underneath cures and shrinks.

The answer is yes, but if a room has under floor heating, it is doubly important that it be properly installed to allow for expansion and contraction. We are able to supply manufacturers' technical specifications regarding underfloor heating.

Yes, it is possible. However, there are some conditions which must be adhered to. Existing floors must be overlayed with at least WBP grade plywood. However, marine ply is best. It must have a minimum thickness 19mm, screwed down (not nailed) at 150mm centres. All timber surfaces should be primed on the reverse side and all edges. It is essential that one uses powdered adhesive with a latex additive when tiling onto plywood.