In this article, Lewis Lupton, UK head of training for ARDEX Group, explains the role of manufacturers in providing support and training for the tiling industry
As a tiler, contractor, designer, architect, or distributor you don’t just need quality, easy-to-use products, it is also useful to have someone to turn to for installation or product advice.
That’s why it’s important for manufacturers to provide a comprehensive technical advice and support function, that has the expertise and understanding of modern solutions, requirements and legislation – both on-site or on the phone.
At the ARDEX Group UK, we believe that people with access to any of our brands – including BAL, ARDEX, and DUNLOP – should have the backing of comprehensive training and support.
We don’t just supply tiling products and then leave you to it – with the ARDEX Group you get the full, gold-standard package!
The ARDEX Training and Technical Support Team consists of nine Technical Managers who cover the entirety of Great Britain.
With more than 250 years of trade and industry experience combined, the majority of the team are ex-installers themselves, so they are perfectly placed to provide any the advice needed.
As well as being able to offer advice and product recommendations on the phone or online, the highly-experienced team can also attend your site – offering site assessments and product specific training or advice.
Many problems which occur on-site are the result of moisture in the subfloor, so it’s essential that the tiles, adhesive and grout are protected from the passage of moisture from below.
Screeds which are uncured can cause significant problems including tiles being blown from their base as the screed shrinks below it, adhesive failing to set, and the passage of salts through the grout joints causing efflorescence.
ARDEX Training and Technical Support Team can perform on-site Carbide Bomb and Hygrometer tests to determine the moisture content of screeds.
The team will take the tests, explain the results and recommend the best course of action or moisture control systems for the installation.
Where needed the team can also perform additional site tests such as BRE Screed Tests – designed to measure the soundness of a sand:cement floor screed, when using ARDEX Group screeding products.
Recommendations
ARDEX Training and Technical Support Team work closely with fixers, contractors, specifiers and architects to ensure the most suitable products are specified on tiling projects.
The team will provide an in-depth project recommendation – but they won’t just leave it there. ARDEX promise to follow up and provide ongoing support at every stage of the project including a rapid response for any site queries.
With nine team members across the country, the team is perfectly equipped to visit any site in the UK.
Training
As well as providing on-site project and product advice, ARDEX Training and Technical Support Managers also lead training courses at ARDEX purpose-built academies in the North in Stoke-on-Trent and in the South in Haverhill, Suffolk.
The ARDEX Group UK has a range of tiling courses covering the latest information, technological advances, industry regulations and specialist systems such as external tiling, underfloor heating and wetrooms.
Our training courses include:
- Introduction to Pool Preparation and Tiling
- Installation of Retro-Fit Underfloor Heating Systems
- Large Format Tiling
- Wetroom Installation
- Surface Preparation for Floor Tiling
- Tiling in External Environments
- How to Identify and Prepare Anhydrite Screeds for Tiling
Training is FREE and includes a free lunch, plus opportunities to take home branded merchandise and/or product depending on availability.
You can find out more and book on ARDEX free training courses at ARDEXacademy.uk or email a.king@ardexgb.co.uk
HelpCentre
If you are looking for instant support or guidance, fixers, contractors or distributors can get help with projects or queries via our online HelpCentres. Our HelpCentre for BAL is available at: https://helpcentre.building-adhesives.com/, and for ARDEX at: https://helpcentre.ardex.co.uk/
Here you can search for an answer to your query, watch video tutorials, get datasheets and certificates or get help from our AI-powered ChatBot or real in-person support.
There are also FAQs, stockist locators, product calculators and more!
www.ARDEXAcademy.uk
