TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Porcelain panels are larger, thin- ner and more popular than ever. TEC® 3N1™ Performance Mortar is a high-performance mortar ideal for installing heavy and large-for- mat porcelain tiles on floors and walls. With no-sag, no-slump and slip resistance, this lightweight, polymer-modified mortar provides high performance, and superior troweling to help reduce fatigue – so installers can rest easy in a job well done. TEC 3N1 Performance Mortar exceeds ANSI A118.4 and A118.11 shear bond specifications. The lightweight formulation pro- vides 50 pounds of coverage with only 30 pounds of actual weight, is mold and mildew resistant, and allows an extended open time for maximum adjustability. For details about TEC product or system war- ranties, contact your sales associ- ate or visit tecspecialty.com. ant heat system so it stays flat on floor and cover the system with sufficient mortar or self leveling underlayment cement. 3/4” of dry pack of 3/8” SLU over the system. Problem: Grout or mortar system is very powdery or weak. Cause: Provided the grout and mortar system were properly mixed and installed, the main cause would be running the radiant heat system before the cement based products are allowed to cure: a minimum of seven days. Excessive moisture exposure from below or above may impact mortars or SLUs. Cure: Make sure all parties involved with the radiant heat sys- tem know the system cannot be put in service until the installation products are allowed to cure. Problem: The thermostat over- heats or even melts when the radi- ant heat system is turned on. Cause: Damage of this type gen- erally is caused by overloading the circuit, trying to heat too much floor area on one thermostat or run- ning a 120v ther- The OJ Microline® touchscreen thermostats can be used with any electric floor heat- ing system to provide intelligent, intuitive, programmable and adaptive control. WLAN connectivity allows homeowners to remotely control their heating system via an app from anywhere at all. www.ojelectronics.com 76 TileLetter | March 2017