Frequently Asked Questions

Floor Prep

Q. Why do I have to spend money on floor patching and preparation?
A. Manufacturer and industry standards require substrates to be level, smooth, and free from contaminants. Taking this into consideration, all substrates, including new poured concrete, need some degree of preparation.

Q. Why do you need to prep the floor? I have a brand new slab.
A. Saw cuts, trenches, construction joints, etc. must be filled. Otherwise, these depressions will telegraph through the new flooring product.

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Carpet

Q. Why is there a big range in carpet prices?
A. All carpets are not created equal. The properties (face weight, backing system, density of the tufting, etc.) which are engineered into the product during the manufacturing process have a direct bearing on performance and life cycle.

Q. Is there a benefit to using carpet tiles instead of broadloom?
A. Yes. Tiles can be rotated in high traffic areas by switch-out to eliminate unsightly isolated stains. Also, tiles facilitate future replacement and retrofit projects due to ease of removal from substrate.

Q. Is a carpet with a higher face weight better than a carpet with a lower face weight?
A. Not necessarily. Density is also a factor to consider along with the backing system and the warranty offered. In fact, carpets that have lower yarn face weights with attached cushion can outperform higher face weights with conventional backs, due to resiliency.

Q. Why can I see carpet seams?
A. No carpet seams are invisible. Carpets are manufactured with certain tolerances. With pattern product, the deviation is expressed as bow and skew. Of course, some correction can be made by the installation team. However, no perfect pattern match can be guaranteed. Unfortunately, all textile products have seams; if you look at the garment you are wearing, for example, you will notice seams at the shoulder and side panel areas. Defective seams are generally gapped and raveling, or completely coming apart. Our certified installation experts are all trained to minimize these issues.

Q. Why do stains reappear after my carpet has been cleaned?
A. Stains will go through the carpet and settle in the backing, and may even penetrate through to the sub-floor. Cleaning with a water extraction method will reactivate the staining material, which may then wick back to the surface of the carpet. This is what causes the stain to reappear. Excessive soap and ineffective rinse can encapsulate the fibers, causing rapid re-soiling.

Q. I just had my carpet cleaned. Why is it bubbling?
A. Several factors could have a bearing on this situation. Over-wetting, in conjunction with high pressure steam cleaning methods, is the cause in most instances.

Q. What type of cleaning method do you recommend?
A. The manufacturer's recommend procedure.

Q. I want a maintenance-free floor. What can I get?
A. No floor is maintenance-free. However, certain types require more or less than others. Consult with your CTS sales representative for more information.

Q. What are the advantages to using CTS Flooring instead of my general contractor?
A. The specified floor covering product will perform only if it is installed correctly. Therefore, the main advantage of using CTS Flooring is quality assurance. Certified CTS personnel install commercial products correctly, the first time. Also, our in-house Traffic Department ensures on-time delivery for fast track retail construction projects.

Q. Why is the glue bleeding through my tile seams?
A. High alkalinity and excessive vapor emissions from a concrete substrate attack and break down the adhesive. This is what causes adhesive to re-emulsify and bleed through the resilient tile seams, creating an unsightly condition. Left unattended, progressive deterioration of the adhesive will result in tile de-bonding and mold.

Q. How often should I replace my carpet?
A. The typical cycle is 5-7 years, which corresponds to the typical store lease that may require the replacement of the floor when the lease is renewed.

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Ceramic Tile

Q. Why can't I use a 1/16" (Marble) grout joint with my tile?
A. The requirements for 1/16" (Marble) grout joint areas are as follows:
a) Tile product must be rectified or re-sized during the manufacturing process;
b) Deviation in product size should not exceed one caliber or one millimeter;
c) Sub-floor must be level. Many ceramic tiles are not manufactured to these tolerances.

Q. Why is my tile coming up in a straight line in my store?
A. The probable cause is concrete slab movement along an expansion

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Resilient Floors

Q. Why is my VCT cracked and bumpy?
A. Cracks in conjunction with bumpy appearance indicate improper sub-floor preparation prior to product installation.

Q. Why is my tile coming up in a straight line in my store?
A. The probable cause is concrete slab movement along an expansion or saw-cut joint.

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Vapor Emissions

Q. Why do I need moisture testing?
A. Certain commercial flooring products are more sensitive excessive concrete vapor emissions than others. Resilient and hardwood both fall into this classification. Testing, utilizing calcium chloride kits, quantifies the amount of moisture coming through the concrete slab over a 24-hour period. Conducting the tests prior to installation will identify the need for corrective action.

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Replacements

Q. What can I do to avoid down time when completing an overnight flooring replacement?
A. Be sure to work with an experienced contractor. CTS Flooring specializes in overnight replacements. Proper coordination between the contractor and store personnel is essential.

Q. Who should handle the fixture movements?
A. CTS provides fixture movement service with certified personnel utilizing specialized equipment. However, we prefer that store personnel remove the merchandise, as required, prior to fixture

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Wood Flooring

Q. Why should I use engineered hardwoods instead of solids?
A. Engineered hardwoods are more dimensionally stable.

Q. What should I consider when installing a natural wood floor?
A. The condition of the substrate, the moisture content in the concrete slab, the type of installation (glue down or nail down) ,and maintenance (how difficult and costly it is to maintain) are a few considerations. Consult with a CTS salesperson specification assistance.

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New Construction

Q. How soon can I put in my flooring?
A. Professional installation should commence after the concrete slab is sufficiently cured and the job site is acclimatized with an operable HVAC system for a minimum of 72 hours.

Q. Why do you need to prep the floor? I have a brand new slab.
A. Unless the surface is properly prepared with an approved compound prior to installation, saw cuts, trenches, column lines, and holes can all create an unsightly surface in your finished flooring.

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Concrete Restoration

Q: In addition to grinding or polishing are there any other restoration processes that CTS recommends?
A: CTS Micro Top Designer Floor finish is a Portland Cement based topping installed in a two coat system for fast track re-surfacing projects. This material can be integrally colored for design applications.

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Facelift Remodel

Q: Can CTS provide other bundled services in order to coordinate store remodel process with single point of contact?
A: Yes, CTS has the capacity to address all of your needs from ceiling to floor with certified technicians and single source responsibility.

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Concrete Polishing

Q: How is high gloss appearance achieved?
A: Several grinding steps with progressively higher grit diamonds (1500 - 3000 grit) provide the depth and surface luster comparable to marble or granite.

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Coatings

Q. Why do I have to shot-blast before I put an epoxy down on new concrete?
A. Epoxy establishes a mechanical bond. In order to accomplish this objective, the pores of the concrete substrate must be opened by a shot blast method. This is a general requirement by coating manufacturers.

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Repairs

Q. Can CTS repair a floor that we didn't install?
A. Yes.

Q. What type of warranty do you give on repair?
A. None.

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General

Q. Can I use my own carrier to ship?
A. Yes. However, utilizing CTS dedicated carriers coordinated by our Traffic Department provides the control needed for on-time delivery.

Q. What kind of warranty do I get with CTS?
A. CTS warrants against defects in workmanship for a period of one year from the date that the installation is substantially complete.

Q. Can I put down multiple layers of flooring?
A. Generally, installation of multiple flooring layers is not recommended by the flooring product manufacturer. The exception to this rule is Vinyl Composition Tile (no more than two layers).

Q. Is cork flooring recommended for retail / commercial flooring?
A. No. Our experience with cork indicates that this product is not dimensionally stable, and is prone to excessive expansion from concrete vapor emissions. There are some laminates that will give you the same look and feel as cork. Consult with your CTS salesperson to see samples of these products.

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