The Long Island Floor Covering Association (LIFCA) will hold "Tools of the Trade II," in response to the popularity of last September's Tools of the Trade meeting. Scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Oct. 17 at ProSource of Nassau in Plainview, N.Y., the event will include information on the latest standards, specifications, methods and tools.

LIFCA said the topics are:
• Industry standards are changing rapidly - the old "CRI 104 and 105" carpet installation standards are going to be a thing of the past. Even standards from 2010 are not the installation standards of 2013, and new standards are coming in 2014. We have the draft of the new "Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Carpet Installation" and it IS coming, so be prepared.

• At the same time, ASTM standards are changing. There are new or revised standards for everything from how to test concrete for moisture to methods for concrete moisture mitigation, and self-leveling underlayment. Product standards are being revised as well - there are new Solid Vinyl tile and Cork Tile specifications coming from ASTM this fall.

• For the retailer, come learn all the new "apps" available on your computer, tablet or smart phone to help you with flooring sales and even complaints. They will help you create a description of the problems and often can offer the solution to these problems. You can bring your store to the consumer, order samples and sell products. You can measure and scale the job through these apps.

• Learn about how hot melt glue guns are used to install tackless and vinyl reducers.

• Eliminate roll crush in minutes.

• See manufacturer's approved seam sealing and welding carpet using a glue gun.

• See new seam sealer applicators. You can bind or serge carpet on the jobsite with only a glue gun - no sewing, stapling or binding machines needed.

• See the radio wave seaming iron and a new seam weight that allows you to stretch carpet in a shorter waiting time.

• Remove a laminate plank from the center of a room without a saw. Learn about problem solving tools. See new tools not shown last year.

To RSVP, contact Joan at LIFCA, joanfloors@verizon.net or (516) 352-3898.