QUALIFIED LABOR –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– requested by Shon Parker, Don Hutcheson and Jason McDaniel. Schluter donated hats and shirts. There was a drawing on Friday and Curtis Jones won a Schluter Shower Kit. On Saturday the six candidates received all the same gifts and Thomas Habelt won a wedi shower pan. “This was absolutely outstanding sponsorship at this CTI test,” said Kevin Insalato, Regional Evaluator Coordinator. Speaking of the candidates tak- ing the test, Cronin said, “They’ve earned a lot of respect, as I watched those guys out there the last couple of days. They’ve been very busy.” CTI candidates received swag from industry sponsors. Rubi donated a rubber bucket, trowel, spacers and a sponge and Porcelain Drill Bit gave a new Speed Bit and discount to every person that takes the test. Schluter donated hats and shirts and a Shower Kit; wedi donated a shower pan; ARDEX donated sponges. The NTCA Reference Manual was developed to identify recurring chal- lenges to successful installations of tile and stone,recognize potential problems,and to gain consensus from industry experts on offering solutions. New updates to the following topics: • Spot Bonding • Proper preparation and ANSI require- ments • Curing compounds and release agents • Interior installation of tile over exterior glued plywood • Preparation for thickset installations • Movement joints • Questionable/unsuitable substrates • Backerboards • Concrete substrate issues • Underlayments,trowelable and poured • Loss of underlayment bond to substrate • Cracking underlayment • Soft or powdery underlayment • Poured gypsum underlayments • Steam rooms • Glass tile description • Glass tile installations • Shower issues with tub/shower combo and prefab shower pans • Position statement on thin porcelain tile • Radiant heat issues for tile and stone installations • Recommendation for exterior tile maintenance • Care and maintenance www.tile-assn.com 86 TileLetter | October 2017