be forced to give in and fix someone else’s concrete work for free. A solu- tion must be made. Part two: the solution This is not simply a concrete slab issue nor only a ceramic tile issue, but rather an issue involving both trades that must be worked out together in such a manner as to be accept- able to architects and fair to owners. I propose a new specification sec- tion: 09300.5 Concrete Floor Prep. The Division 3 specification will also need some revisions made to it. The system would be as follows: 1.The concrete slab shall be poured 1/2” below the desired finish floor height. No fine finished trowel sur- face will be required. Basically a bull float and broom finish is all that is needed. This will save money in two ways. First, 1/2” less material will be used and secondly there will be no fine finish troweling labor required. 2.This is where section 09300.5 kicks in. Just prior to beginning the tile installation, the tile contractor shall pour a 1/2” thick layer of cementi- tious self-leveler product over the entire floor bringing it up to the fin- ished floor elevation that is required. Any crowns, curls, humps, or other defects in the flatness of the con- crete will be rectified during this process ensuring that a perfectly flat and level floor will be provided. 3.The specified floor covering product can then be installed in accordance with the appropriate specifications. The cost of installing the finished floor product should also be some- what lower than normal considering that there will be no floor-prep work needed as it has already been pro- vided for in #2 above. There is no doubt that the total cost of this system will be slightly higher because self-levelers cost more to install than poured concrete, but that cost will be known up front on bid day. And let’s face it, costs of anything on bid day are usually much lower than add-on costs for extras later on. Owners should also take into con- sideration that pouring large concrete slabs to a finished floor tolerance of 1/8” in ten feet is virtually impossible in the first place. There are simply too many variables during the curing and drying process to accomplish such perfection. Additional costs are a reality these days and this system will establish that total cost without confusion or cost over runs after the project is bid. TECH TALK –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– In 20 feet floor was back up to 50”. In opposing direction floor dropped 1-1’4” in 15’. 64 TileLetter | March 2018