As a restoration contractor, relief happens when the customer signs off and the check clears. Worry returns when the phone rings several months later when the client has a problem. Sometimes, these issues are small and easy to fix. Sometimes, they’re bigger and need more attention. More often than not, a flooring inspector can help you determine whether the problem is related to your work or falls outside your responsibility.
Flooring issues sometimes arise weeks, months, or years after the restoration is completed. Here are some issues, what an inspector looks for, and their possible resolution.
Wood Floor Finish
The customer had site-finished wood floors throughout the home before a fire. Site-finished floors were reinstalled, and an outside contractor was hired to finish the floor. After the contractor finished, the restorer did not think the finish looked quite right. In a conversation with the restorer, he wanted to see if the issue was with the finish or with how the floor was cared for after it was finished.
As inspectors, we look for various things to tell us if the concerns are related to the finishing of the floor or how it was cared for afterward. How long the floor was acclimated? How long was it left before covering? Was anything else going on during the finishing? These are all questions that can help determine the cause. An examination of the floor revealed sander marks in several areas, debris in the finish, and a thick finish in some areas. All these concerns were related to the finishing of the planks and required the floor to be sanded and refinished.
Wood Like Kind and Quality
The customer had solid wood installed in her century home before water damage affected the floor. In an effort to install like kind and quality, a new solid wood floor was installed in the home. We arrived at the home to investigate why the floor was buckled. Examination revealed the floor to be face-nailed to the joists. The installer tried to install today’s wood in the same fashion as her previous floor. The floor was not installed to the manufacturer’s standards and net to all vertical abutments.
Vinyl Floors
Luxury vinyl flooring is one of the most popular floorings used today. Many customers choose vinyl as a replacement for whatever flooring they had installed previously. We will get a phone call months to years after the floor was installed. Sometimes the complaint is gaps; other times, they call it cupping or curling.
As inspectors, we will look for many things, starting with expansion space, information about when the flooring was installed (before or after cabinets), and acclimation before and during the installation. Examination of the flooring and the curling (cupping) is generally throughout. Provided the manufacturer’s installation instructions were followed for expansion space, this concern is manufacturing-related.
Don’t Forget Carpet
When restoration is taking place in areas far from the doors in and out of the home, the carpet will be covered, sometimes with a self-adhering carpet mask or drop cloths. When the restoration portion of the project is completed, a final, restorative cleaning of the carpet will sometimes take place. When the carpet is not covered sufficiently, it becomes very soiled. This is where a dramatic difference between where the carpet was covered and where it was not can be seen. This is where the fundamentals of soil suspension are needed. Some yarns need more “CHEMICAL-HEAT-AGITATION and TIME” to loosen the soil sufficiently. Another latent issue that can occur weeks after the self-adhering carpet mask is removed is the transfer of the adhesive to the carpet. This residue will attract soil and make the trafficked areas look horrible. Have no fear; boost your pre-spray with a water-soluble degreaser. Apply liberally, agitate thoroughly, then rinse well to remove the residue.
Sometimes things get missed during the flooring portion of the restoration process. It’s usually the last thing that needs to be done before everyone signs off. A rushed job can cause things like missed shoe mold, shortcut planks, and flooring to get installed while other trades are still working in the area. Having a good schedule, working with quality installers, and purchasing quality products can help the flooring process of the restoration go smoothly.
While issues can happen after the flooring installation is done, knowing if the concern is your responsibility or the responsibility of someone else can save your client and your bottom line.
Jessica Violand Bruno
Jessica Violand Bruno grew up in the flooring industry as the daughter of a carpet cleaner and inspector. She earned her flooring inspection credentials in 2006 and is also a top sales associate at a local flooring retailer. She specializes in using her unique experience to help customers choose the right products for their projects. You can reach her at [email protected] or 330-807-6702.
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