56 2018 | TECH formulated economics for all installers to use. This full polymer-modified tile and stone bonding mortar for interior and exterior use can be used for both floor and wall applications, and is offered in 50-lbs. bag. The Texrite LHT also offers a >16% plus increase in adhesive coverage over conventional mortars. texrite.com GROUT PRODUCTS ––––––––––––– LATICRETE offers Ready-To-Use Grout, an advanced, professional-grade, ready-to-use grout that delivers superior color consistency and excellent stain resis- tance. To save time and money on the jobsite, Ready-To-Use Grout does not require mixing or sealing and can be spread continuously for up to 20 minutes before cleaning is required. It’s available in 40 colors, includ- ing a unique Translucent option con- taining glass beads that allow for light to pass through and reflect the colors of the surrounding tiles. laticrete.com MAPEI’s Ultracolor® Plus FA with DropEffect™ technol- ogy is a fine-aggregate, fast-setting, polymer- modified, color-con- sistent, non-shrinking, efflorescence-free grout for joint widths from 1/16” to 3/4” (1,5 to 19mm). DropEffect reduces surface absorp- tion to help repel water, dirt and grime from penetrating grout joints. Ultracolor® Plus FA is specially for- mulated with MAPEI’s High-Hydrated Cement Technology (HCT™) to elimi- nate problems related to Portland- cement grout, such as color consis- tency and efflorescence. HCT reduces absorption and increases stain resis- tance when compared with stan- dard-performance cement grouts. mapei.com Merkrete offers ProGrout, a pre- mium-grade, fast-set- ting, color-consistent, efflorescence-free, high- performing polymer- modified cement grout specifically formulated for all types of tile and dimensional stone for both walls and floors in residential and commercial projects. Designed with the contrac- tor in mind, ProGrout is easy to mix, apply and clean and offers excellent stain resistance and color consisten- cy. Suitable for joints 1/16” to 1/2” (1.5mm - 12mm) wide on floors or walls, eliminating the need for differ- ent grout products. ProGrout is avail- able in 21 colors and exceeds ANSI A118.7. merkrete.com TEXRITE has expanded its Chromaflex (ready to use, premixed grout) 20-designer color palette to include a translucent color version called Chromaflex #380 Echo for glass tile. In addition, the company offers a metallic glitter effect grout in a gold and one in silver tile in the TEXRITE Chromaflex line: Chromaflex #401 Gold and #402 Frost (silver version). texrite.com Mortars and grouts • Spot Bonding • Proper preparation and ANSI requirements • 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 The NTCA Reference Manual was developed to identify recur- ring challenges to successful installations of tile and stone,rec- ognize potential problems,and to gain consensus from industry experts on offering solutions. Some of the topics include: