Extended Warranties for Ceramic Tile Installations

By Doug Dickinson,
Executive Director, TTMAC

We live in a growing value based society and quality issues are at the forefront of our purchases. Statistics show that consumers base their purchase decisions on three main issues: Price, Quality and Replacement. Is it within the budget, what quality concessions are to be considered if any, to bring it within budget and when will it need to be replaced or repaired?

Our industry, whether it is in the commercial or residential sector is no different. In the housing market, ceramic tile not so long ago was an upgrade in most homes. Builders realized purchasers understood the inherent value that ceramic tile added to their homes and by making ceramic tile a standard in most homes, purchasers would have an easier decision to make. Therefore, as usage increases so too should our responsibility to provide a comprehensive installation. As individuals, we would ensure that our own homes were to have all the provisions in place for a long lasting installation......

Budget constraints on projects are a fact of life; however health and safety issues should never be compromised. Health and Safety are not terms often associated with tub and shower installations. It is with increasing regularity that due to the breakdown of gypsum based products when exposed to moisture that mould rears its dangerous head. Mould is not a new phenomenon, but has come to the forefront of the media as a major health issue. Our schools, government buildings and various other structures are being vigorously inspected for its presence. Prolonged exposure to mould spore has proven to contribute to respiratory health problems. Costly renovations are being carried out to remove mould affected areas. As pointed out to me by a colleague, from a liability standpoint "mould is gold". Liability and litigation also enter the equation. Failure to properly ensure that all steps are taken to prevent such mould and other health hazards can result in costly lawsuits. Similarly the installation of standard drywall backer board alone in a wet environment is not an acceptable practice. Installations on bath tub/wall using a thin-set method should be installed according to Detail 306W-2002 of the TTMAC Specification Guide 9300 Tile Installation Manual. Many retrofits could be avoided if the installation were carried out according to this detail. It is not in our industry's best interest nor our client's to install contrary to these guidelines. If "necessity is the mother of invention", the resurgence of vinyl tub and shower inserts are of our own doing. Although they do have their place within the market, many hotels and builders have opted for them due to mould and mildew issues. Insisting on applying proven installation and maintenance techniques in tub and shower areas would for the most part eliminate these concerns.

It would be difficult to find someone who would not want to have their shower and tub enclosure last until they wanted a change for esthetic reasons as opposed to structural or health reasons. Cost of an installation carried out with the appropriate components and systems is far less expensive than the remedial work and the inevitable removal and reinstallation of the correct materials, not to mention lost worker days as a result of illness due to mould. Warranty; this becomes an inherent part of the project because the costly "call-back factor" has been greatly reduced.

Warranties are a large part of our society. We insist on warranties on all of our purchases large or small. By installing tile incorporating a waterproof membrane and or cementitious backer unit (CBU) as outlined in section 306W-2002 of the TTMAC Specification Guide 9300 Tile Installation Manual you are providing a proven system that does not provide an environment conducive to mould growth, therein lays the warranty. This warranty not only is provided to the end-user but also to the tile contractor in that remedial work for system failures has been greatly reduced.

Warranties are a tool for which you are better able to market your product and /or service.

Don't try and reinvent the wheel - perfect it!

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
By Dennis Edissi

The first Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada convention I attended was in Ottawa in 1974. The president at that time was Mr. John Woods. I was very impressed with this convention in general. The itinerary was well planned and informative; the activities were very interesting; and the aims and objectives of the mission statement of the Association were realistic and achievable. A lot of water has passed under the bridge since that time. This water represents a lot of very hard work by many very dedicated members and staff - all for the absolute benefit of our Association and our industry. From the day of its inception in 1944, the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada has continuously adapted new ideas and programs to improve the operation of our Association. I can assure you that this progress will never stop. Tile, marble and terrazzo have been manufactured for hundreds of years. Originally, pure clay was dredged from streams and riverbeds, cleaned from rocks and debris, formed into shape, and left in the sun to harden. We have come a long way since then; however, the basic concept of tile has not changed. Major terrazzo installations completed one hundred years ago, still look great today. Granite cladding installed centuries ago, still maintain their luster and durability. There are few products manufactured today that will outlast the beauty and endurance of terrazzo and tile. With the modern technology that is available, you can be assured that even more terrazzo and tile will be specified in the very near future. Our hard surface industry provides a truly everlasting and beautiful product that is extensively used on many major construction sites internationally.

I still recall the wonderful and informative speech by our keynote speaker Mr. Eberhard H. Zeidler, Senior Partner with Zeidler Roberts Partnership, one of North America's leading architectural firms. During his address at our National Convention in Toronto in 1999, he mentioned how pleased and honoured he was to be invited to speak at our convention. He made it categorically clear that second to the design of the structure, the many various types of hard surface materials he incorporates in his designs definitely contribute to the beautiful finishing touches to each building. He encouraged all architects and designers to specify more hard surface products to ensure everlasting and beautiful results.

I am very proud to be part of the tile and marble industry. For over 40 years I have enjoyed the benefits of the many challenges of this trade. I sincerely believe that my first toys were tiles. I am very fortunate to have two highly respected and very qualified mentors, as I was growing up in this industry, who taught me the"tricks of the trade." The first was my late father, Dante Edissi and the second, Douglas Del Net, my uncle, Principal of Centura, London. The integrity, knowledge, experience and appreciation of the product and trade I learned from both, formed the foundation of my career.

It was an easy decision for me to accept the position as President of this great Association especially with a very supportive team of Directors and staff at my side. As I glanced around the table at our last Board of Directors meeting, I felt very confident with the experience, knowledge and dedication that each and every director contributes to this committee. Our directors represent contractors and suppliers who share their valuable time for the benefit of each member and for our Association. I would like to recognize and take this opportunity to thank the many members and volunteers who so graciously share their time for our Association.

We have a great Association supported by many enthusiastic and dedicated members. Our staff is comprised of experienced and hard-working individuals who sincerely believe in the aims and objectives of our Association. The Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada is recognized as the foremost authority of the hard surface industry and will continue to grow in strength to serve our membership and our industry for many years. We want to provide the highest standard of service to our members and to our industry. I strongly encourage all members to get involved with our Association and to solicit other qualified potential companies to join the Terrazzo, Tile And Marble Association of Canada. An Association is only as strong as its membership. We must all work together, and together, we will succeed.

We also thank the many consultants that include architects, designers and specifiers for supporting TTMAC members and hard surface products.

In closing, I would like to leave you with this thought, "The block of granite which was an obstacle in the path of the weak, becomes a stepping stone in the path of the strong."

Sincerely,
Dennis Edissi,
President

Dennis Edissi is the current TTMAC President. He started his career in 1960 with his father Dante Edissi at Twin City Tile Co. Ltd. in Kitchener of which he is President. Dennis is a very dedicated and hard working volunteer who has greatly contributed toward the success and growth of many organizations. As President of the Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada, and with his sincere dedication and loyalty to our industry, Dennis will continue to be an asset to our Association.

• To promote the terrazzo, tile, marble and stone industry

• To increase the use of terrazzo, tile, marble and stone by architects, owners, general contractors and the building industry in general

• To foster the interest and general welfare of those engaged in the terrazzo, tile, marble and stone industry

• To obtain, disseminate and exchange, among the members, accurate information regarding all matters conducive to the improvement of conditions within the industry

• To promote harmony in the relations between employer and employee in the industry and, so far as it may be possible, uniformity in the basis of employment

• To promote friendly relations among those engaged in the industry and, in general, to do all things necessary and proper to carry out the foregoing purposes

Members Code of Ethics

Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Association of Canada (TTMAC) members are required to comply with the Code of Ethics as established and amended from time to time by the Board of Directors.

Members shall:

• Support TTMAC and through business indicate to the public that membership in this Association is an assurance of quality.

• Support and encourage their peers to support the policies and objectives of the Association, abide by it's By-laws, Mission Statement and Specification Standards.

• Recognize and support the role of supplier members and their relationship with contractor members, consultants, design professionals and purchasers of terrazzo, tile, natural stone and related products.

• Employ skilled craftsmen to maintain a high level of quality and workmanship in order to provide excellence in installation and service.

• Conduct themselves in such a manner that all contracts, verbal or written, will be performed in good faith to develop and promote quality service and quality workmanship.

• Support members wherever possible in order to enhance the welfare of members and membership in TTMAC.

• Train workers through apprenticeship, educate and train sales representatives and technical staff to provide a skilled workforce.

• Cooperate with regulatory agencies and comply with municipal by- laws, codes and regulations in the best interest of the industry.

• Recognize and promote TTMAC as the “Voice of the Hardsurface Industry*
  

Members shall conduct their affairs in the terrazzo, tile and stone industry with the intent and meaning of this code of Ethics and recognize the value of membership in TTMAC as an organization that supports such a code.