The Problem with Low Bids

Posted on March 1, 2013 by tpompo
Low Bids

Low Bids

Low bids have put a lot of contractors out of business. Consumers have also paid the price in accepting low bids since these types of jobs often result in unwanted and costly problems later on down the road.

Typically it’s the unqualified or inexperienced installers that offer unrealistic (low) bids to get a job. The items they overlook and the corners they cut in putting forth a low bid is ultimately at the owner’s expense, since it’s the owner who’ll have to deal with the resulting problems. Some examples of “cutting corners” could be that the installer uses inferior products, leaves out important installation steps, or uses unqualified labor as a means to rush through a job to save what money they can since they bid the job so low. Skimping on suitable products, methods or labor can result in a visually unacceptable installation with concealed defects leading to problems or limiting performance. This is bad advertising for our industry!

Some installers that know their way around architectural specifications look for ambiguities commonly found in these documents and base their bid on the lowest price and cheapest products. Then, after they get the job, they send in change orders (asking for more money) for the more appropriate products and methods, which were likely intended in the first place, but weren’t properly specified by the architect. So it’s important for installers to provide qualified bids and to point out any ambiguities to the general contractors or owners so they don’t become a disadvantage to the installer, and the owners don’t get stuck with added expenses.

Architects should write clear specifications (i.e. without ambiguities) and owners should qualify bids, and installers should make sure they know and use the appropriate industry standards for a given application. One way of making sure installers are qualified is to ask them to be ITS Verified through the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS). By taking the ITS course through UofCTS installers will learn current industry standards and methods for adhered thin-set applications. When combined with an installer’s work experience and accomplishments, the ITS training will enable them to differentiate themselves from other less professional installers. It will also earn them a competitive advantage over those who haven’t made similar commitments and investments and will allow them to justifiably charge more for their work. Bottom line: Consumers will gladly pay more for quality products and labor if they understand how to qualify the difference between a low bid and a quality bid!

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Educating Customers May Lead to More Sales

Posted on January 16, 2013 by tpompo

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Educating your customers can be the single most important service you provide. It doesn’t matter whether you are an installer, distributor, manufacturer, architect or designer – educating your customers will help avoid false expectations that can lead to unhappy customers and costly problems. So remember to give your customers choices!

Spelling out the pros and cons of a product or service will help customers to understand what they will be getting and what they will not be getting. This process lends credibility to you as a consultant and will give your customer confidence in you as their advisor. It will make them want to make their purchase from you, even if your price is higher.

What happens when you educate your customers? They will often buy the better quality and higher priced materials and installation systems. They will be more likely to buy the floor warming system, the waterproof or crack isolation membrane, or the sound control system if you, their consultant, show them the features and benefits of those products. Better products and systems equal more sales and less chance of costly problems!

In fact, if you don’t take the time to educate your customers about their options, you are doing them a disservice. If they find out after-the-fact that they could have had a floor warming system or protection against cracking, water intrusion or sound, they will wonder why they were not given the choice. Needless to say, that’s not good for your reputation or for your company’s reputation.

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The Case for One-Direction Troweling

Posted on October 25, 2012 by tpompo

Current thin-set standards require a minimum of 80% thin-set contact for interior dry applications.  For exterior or interior wet applications the requirement is 95% contact.  Contact means that the thin-set is in continuous contact between the back of the tile and its substrate.  The standards say that within the allowable 5% or 20% voids respectively, there can be no void larger than 2″ x 2″, and that all corners and edges of the tile have to be fully supported with thin-set (no voids).  To achieve full thin-set contact can be difficult particularly on large format tiles.  Air can get trapped under the tile and no matter how much thin-set you use or how much you beat the tile in, the air in those voids can’t escape.  A recommended method to achieve full thin-set contact is to trowel in one direction, after you have burned/keyed the thin-set into the substrate/tile.  If you trowel on both the back of the tile and the substrate, make sure those trowel lines are parallel to each other when you set the tile on the substrate. Once you set the tile on the substrate then press it firmly into the thin-set and move the tile perpendicular to the direction of the trowel ridges, at least a 1/4″ or so, to flatten the ridges of the thin-set and collapse it into the valleys of the thin-set.  This allows the air in the valleys of the thin-set to escape from the sides of the tile.  If you try this with a clear glass or plexiglass tile you will see how effective it is compared to troweling in an irregular pattern.

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Donato Pompo Honored with Construction Specifier Magazine Article of the Year Award

Posted on October 8, 2012 by tpompo

San Diego, CA – October 4, 2012 – Donato V. Pompo, CTC, CMR, CSI, CDT, MBA of Ceramic Tile and Stone Consultants, Inc. (CTaSC) was honored with The Construction Specifier Magazine Article of the Year Award by the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI). CSI is a prominent architectural association for architects that prepare construction specifications.  The award was presented to Mr. Pompo at CSI’s Annual Meeting held in conjunction with CONSTRUCT 2012 in Phoenix on September 14, 2012.

The article that earned Mr. Pompo the distinguished recognition from CSI is entitled “Good Specs Mean Good Tile and Stone Installations” and appeared in the magazine’s December 2011 issue (http://www.kenilworth.com/publications/cs/de/201112/files/30.html). CSI’s Editorial Advisory Board stated that they selected Pompo’s article based on its relevance to the industry as a whole, readability, impact, and alignment with CSI’s mission and technical standards and formats.

“Like Pompo’s previous pieces for the magazine, it exemplifies what makes an article successful—the writing is in-depth but accessible, and thought-provoking but based on objective fact,” said Erik Missio, editor of The Construction Specifier. “Pompo draws on his own experiences in the tile industry to present clear, concise, and correct information for architects, specifiers, and engineers within a CSI context. His article is the very spirit of the tagline that appears on The Construction Specifier covers—a solution for the construction industry.”   Pompo has a new article just released in The Construction Specifier’s October 2012 issue titled “Avoiding the Fall: Specifying Ceramic, Glass Tile, Stone, and Terrazzo for  Slip Resistance” (http://www.kenilworth.com/publications/cs/de/201210/files/60.html).

Mr. Pompo is a frequent contributing author to many of the construction, tile and stone trade publications.  He has been a Certified Construction Documents Technologist (CDT) through CSI since 2000 and has produced hundreds of tile and stone installation specifications.  His more than 30 years experience in the tile and stone industries, combined with his dedication, commitment, and a desire to improve the industry as a whole through training and the sharing of information is key in motivating Pompo to publish many articles and offering training services.  It is also what led him to establish the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS) in 2002.

“I realized the importance of training early on in my various roles in the ceramic tile and stone industry. I realized that there weren’t enough opportunities for those who specify, sell or install tile and stone to learn the critical requirements and standards needed to ensure successful installations.  When e-learning technology became available it made it possible to educate installers, salespeople and architects in the most cost-efficient and convenient way, so that’s why I established the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (www.UofCTS.org),” Pompo said.  “Most people have access to a computer and an internet connection today.  So now industry standards, product knowledge and uses, and installation application information is conveniently available online,” he continued.  “And the beauty of online learning is that you can do it without having to miss work or incur any travel expenses, and you can go at your own pace and convenience.”

The core business, CTaSC, is what supplies Pompo with ideas for stories that turn into magazine articles. CTaSC specializes in forensic investigations, quality control, tile and stone installation specifications, testing, and expert witness testimony. Pompo is frequently called on to conduct forensic investigations throughout North America and this enables him to see first-hand the kinds of problems that are occurring on many different types of jobs. Installations run the gamut from exterior veneers, to swimming pools, hotel lobbies, showers, malls, airports, and the list goes on.  CTaSC also provides various quality control services such as writing installation specifications and quality control plans, and having CTaSC inspectors, who are seasoned tile installers, perform on-site quality control inspections.

By keeping a record of the issues he comes across in the field, and translating them into informative articles and online courses, Pompo hopes to get the word out to the construction industry members about  how such problems can be avoided through education.

For further information about the UofCTS training services please visit www.CTaSC.com or call 886.669.1550.

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One-sided Thin-set

Posted on September 24, 2012 by tpompo

One-sided Thin-setWhen a tile debonds from a surface, it’s important to take note of where the failure occurred to help determine the cause. Did it fail adhesively between the back of the tile and the thin-set mortar or adhesively between the substrate and thin-set mortar, or did it cohesively fail within the thin-set mortar or tile? If the thin-set mortar only bonded to one surface, either the tile back or the substrate, then the problem is likely installer error and not the result of a bad batch of thin-set. Obviously thin-set mortar adhesives are made to bond to both surfaces.  So if the thin-set bonded to the tile but not the substrate, it would suggest that the substrate had some sort of contaminate or condition that interfered with the bonding of the thin-set. One of the most important steps in tile or stone installation is preparing the substrates. Clean them and remove all surface residuals. Make sure water readily absorbs into cementitious substrates, and if it doesn’t, scarify the substrate to open up the pores. It’s just as important to clean the backs of tiles before installation in order to remove any residue that could act as a bond breaker, particularly on stone tiles.

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To Slope or Not to Slope

Posted on August 17, 2012 by tpompo

Water damage in construction is a huge problem and can add up to millions of dollars in repairs.  Much of that cost is due to collateral damages caused by a construction defect.  One common defect in tile and stone installations is the lack of slope in wet areas such as showers, exterior decks and balconies.  Water needs to be managed in these applications by using waterproof membranes. Water should be directed to drains and away from moisture sensitive materials.  Not only is the surface slope to drain of a tile or stone assembly important, but the underlying slope to drain is just as important, if not more so.  Water that penetrates the tile and porous grout travels beneath the tile, and if that water isn’t directed to a drain that properly drains it away, it can result in many types of moisture damages particularly with stone applications.  If water becomes stored under the tile due to lack of slope or plugged drain weep holes, then the tile can be subjected to excessive moisture conditions that may never completely dry.  As the stored moisture migrates through the concrete, tile and grout, it picks up minerals (salts) that dissolve into the moisture and travels with it.  As the moisture reaches the surface it evaporates and those minerals solidify (crystallize) and expand, and the result can be a condition called “spalling” (deterioration of the surface) and staining.  The key message here is make sure the tile assembly is sloped to drain at the surface and at the subsurface.  Plus make sure there is a waterproof membrane under the tile and stone assembly to direct the water to drains.  Follow the industry standards per ANSI A108 and TCNA Handbook.

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Why Online Education is So Important

Posted on August 14, 2012 by tpompo

For a clear understanding of the value and benefits of online education, it is extremely worthwhile to view this video presentation by Stanford University professor, Daphne Koller.  She does a great job of articulating why online education is so important and how it can help people reach their goals.  Professor Koller provides data substantiating that online education courses, referred to as Mastery Learning, with the active learning methodology of interactive and engaging features and the immediate personalized feedback is extremely effective in teaching and reinforcing learning.  A key message in her presentation is that online education enables people to easily and affordably obtain an education.  Online education provides a consistent approach to teaching, and there are no limitations regarding how many students can take a course or how many teachers are needed.  Students can access the online universities 24/7 and they can take a course from anywhere in the world as long as they have a computer and an internet connection.  In 2002, Donato Pompo foresaw the growth in online training and created the University of Ceramic Tile and Stone.  The UofCTS offers courses for tile and stone installers, distributors, manufacturers, architects and other professionals who can easily and affordably obtain a meaningful education for ceramic tile, glass tile, natural stone and other products.   Visit www.UofCTS.org for more details on UofCTS courses.

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Machu Picchu

Posted on June 28, 2012 by tpompo

Machu PicchuHigh in the Andes Mountains of Peru is the ancient city of Machu Picchu, straddled between granite peaks and surrounded by tropical forest. It is 8,000 feet above sea level and its two hundred (+-) stone structures are built over two earthquake faults. Not exactly the kind of place you would expect to find one of mankind’s most impressive engineering feats.

Built by the Inca Empire between 1450 and 1540 AD, Machu Picchu continues to inspire awe in all who sees it, just as it did when it was first established. Most historians believe it was used as a retreat for royalty, perhaps to escape the summer heat of the capital city, then Cusco.

The Inca were master engineers and road builders. An elaborate water-carriage system was installed throughout the city to deliver fresh spring water to inhabitants. It was just as important to properly manage water drain-off caused by heavy rainfall since the Inca understood that water could otherwise severely undermine the city. They accomplished this by excavating deep under the main plaza and depositing a layer of rock in the very bottom before adding a layer of sand and gravel and then the topsoil that would ultimately carpet the plaza surface. The rock the Inca employed in this ingenious drainage system was stone waste created by carving blocks in the quarry (early recycling at its best!).

Another great invention on the part of Inca engineers was the terraced garden. In order to feed local residents crops were grown in plots carved right into the mountainsides. These gardens were designed in the same manner as the central plaza, with layers of soil, sand, gravel and rock waste that would maximize drain-off. But the terraces did more than provide farmland at a high altitude – they stabilized the entire foundation of the ancient city by minimizing erosion. Amazing!

Machu Picchu’s granite quarry from which stone was cut to construct temples, palaces, homes, fountains and walls was located right on the site. Close examination of its structures reveals that the Inca used a stone construction method known today as dry stack. Stone blocks were first carved in the quarry so that they would be matching, like pieces of a puzzle. When the stones were moved to the building site they interlocked seamlessly when stacked – not even a knife blade could be inserted between them! No mortar was needed, thus the name dry stack.

The fact that no mortar was used was an advantage since Machu Picchu is situated on active earthquake faults. When tremblers struck, the dry stack construction was flexible and allowed the stones to move without tension. The effectiveness of this method is a testament to the advanced understanding of the Inca engineers. It is part of the reason why Machu Picchu remains standing today, more than five hundred years later.

For more information and history about Machu Picchu visit: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/ghosts-machu-picchu.html
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/wright-inca-engineering.html http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/274/

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UofCTS Launches Tile Installer Thin-set Certification (TITC) Online Course

Posted on November 3, 2011 by tpompo

trowelSan Diego, CA, November 01, 2011 – The University of Ceramic Tile and Stone (UofCTS) is launching its newest online course, Tile Installer Thin-set Certification (TITC) course, available in English and Spanish.  The TITC Certification course was developed for tile installers who work with ceramic tile, porcelain tile, glass tile, stone tile, or any other adhered tile products.  The convenient and affordable online course teaches installers the industry installation standards and methods for the thin-set application, and documents that they understand those standards and methods.

By earning TITC Certificationtile installers will have an important credential giving them an advantage over other installers bidding on the same jobs.  Certification not only enables installers to earn more profit, but it helps them avoid costly problems and delays thanks to their knowledge of industry standards and methods for thin-setting tile.

Most tile installers don’t have the opportunity to learn industry installation standards and methods, and typically learn the trade on the job.  Now installers can conveniently take affordable online courses without incurring any travel expenses or losing any income from being away from their jobs.  UofCTS offers the latest technology in e-Learning that is available on the UofCTS internet campus 24/7.  The course is interactive, professionally narrated, and is filled with many photos, video clips and animations to reinforce the learning and to make it enjoyable for the student.

TITC Certification is not just a benefit for installers.  Architects, general contractors, owners and manufacturers can specify and require that only “TITC Certified” tile installers work on their projects in order to limit the risk of problems and delays.  When there is a problem, it doesn’t matter whose fault it is, everyone ends up paying in loss of time, money or reputation.

The TITC Certification course is available in either English or Spanish.  Professionally translated and narrated in what is called “neutral Spanish,” the course can be readily understood by North American and South American Hispanics working within the trade. Considering the large number of Hispanic workers in the U.S. construction industry, and the need for Hispanic educational programs, this course is a step towards filling that gap, at least when it comes to tile installation standards and methods.

The TITC Certification course offers a comprehensive review of the tile thin-set adhesive installation standards and methods following ANSI A108, the TCNA Handbook, and common installation material manufacturer’s requirements.   TITC certification is only good for one year and installers must retake the updated course annually as a refresher and to stay current with the new industry standards.

The TITC certificate doesn’t guarantee an installer has the skill set or will do good work, but it is an indication that they took the TITC course and demonstrated that they learned and understood those standards and methods.

To see a short video preview of the Tile Installer Thin-set Certification (TITC) course, either in English or Spanish, click here.

The TITC course tuitionis $150 per person.  The course is available for purchase 24/7, and once registered the students have 14 days to complete the course at their own rate.  Upon completing the course with a passing grade the students can print a certificate of completion and they are provided a course reference guide to download. The UofCTS also offers volume discounts.

In addition, UofCTS offers online sales and technical training courses on ceramic tile and on natural stone that have been created with salespeople, installers and design professionals in mind.  Visit www.UofCTS.org for details.

Recently UofCTS was appointed as the North American representative for IIEA, International Industry E-learning Academy.   IIEA is an Italian based online training school for businesses based on an advanced e-Learning platform.   IIEA provides online training courses that include very technical ceramic tile manufacturing courses, customer care courses, and online language courses that teach English, French, Italian, Spanish, German and Arabic.  Click here for details.

Education is the fastest and easiest way to increase sales and profits!  An investment in education is a return on investment that never ends.

For further information about the UofCTS training services contact us here or call toll free at 866/669-1550.

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The Coliseum

Posted on October 20, 2011 by tpompo

The Roman Empire (Western, from 27 BC to 476 AD) was a period in history in which human ingenuity flourished and engineering skills reached new heights.  The Romans have been credited with the discovery of two key elements that revolutionized the way that structures were built: mortar and the arch. With these, the Romans went on to create the infrastructure of the entire Empire: thousands of miles of roads, aqueducts to supply fresh water to major cities and magnificent buildings to celebrate the glory of the Empire.

It is no surprise that the material of choice during these times was stone.  Romans knew how to quarry it and were expert craftsmen.  Colossal temples, baths, palaces and arenas were constructed throughout the Empire, and especially in its capital, Rome.

One of the most iconic stone structures in the world then, and today, is the Coliseum.  It is a testament to the immense power and incredible engineering skills of a people that lived over 2,000 years ago.  Opened in 80 AD, the Coliseum was a gift from Emperor Vespasian to the people (a political move to win favor).  It could seat 50,000 and even had huge sailcloth awnings that were hoisted over the crowds for shade on hot days! Travertine blocks cut from a nearby quarry were mainly used for the floors, external walls and support pillars of the Coliseum. Marble, considered a more precious stone, was reserved for the upper class seating areas, statuary and other decorative elements. It took approximately 10 years to build the Coliseum.

After the decline of the Roman Empire, the Coliseum was in disrepair for many years due to earthquakes, weather, neglect and pillaging.  Much of the original stone was hauled away for use in constructing other buildings, including the Vatican.

For more information click here.

 

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