The claims on hard surface flooring are surging as a result of the increase in the sale and use of these products. The level of awareness as to the cause of the problems generating claims is sorely lacking. Because of this I’d like to share with you some of the more common problems we’re seeing.
With vinyl flooring, VCT tiles in particular, there could be cracks in the tiles due to debris beneath the tiles from the substrate not being properly cleaned and prepared. A tiny pebble to can create a small high spot in the tile that grows to tiny cracks as stress is placed on the surface from traffic. Inconsistencies in the subfloor from poor preparation can telegraph through the tile. A high gloss finish will exacerbate any irregularity beneath the tile. This is worse with sheet goods, be they rubber, tile or linoleum. It is imperative the correct adhesive be used, with the right trowel, the open time be carefully monitored and the floor rolled with the correct weight roller. These floors are used extensively in hospitals, they are often treated with high gloss finishes and they’ll show up a molecule of dust beneath them. Any adhesive not smoothed out will look like lines under this material. The major problem here is that each of these claims, and there are plenty of them, are interpreted differently by those looking at them including the manufacturers. There is no general or common consensus or agreement for determining what the problem is in many cases. To be safe you MUST follow the manufacturers and adhesive manufacturers’ installation guidelines to the letter religiously on every job.
How about wood? Here’s a category that is the king of claims right now and the reason for all the claims is quite simply ignorance. People selling the product don’t have a clue about what it does and how it should perform, the various species of wood and their characteristics, how the wood is finished, how it is manufactured, where it comes from, whether it is solid or engineered and what the environmental influences, internal and external are, that will affect it. Different parts of the country have different climates that affect wood in various ways. All of this information is documented and available for you from a variety of sources including the National Wood Flooring Association, the National Oak Flooring Manufacturers Association, wood manufacturers and other sources.
Gaps in wood are a big question we get which is a surprise to me. Wood will expand and contract; in cold dry weather gaps may appear and then disappear when the weather gets warm and humid. This is not a defect in the wood but a natural characteristic; hey the trees do it in the forest. Checking, or cracks in the wood may develop as a result of the stresses taking place within the board. This is also often the result of gain and loss of moisture in the wood.
With more wood being used more complaints will occur. The use of the product in places where it typically hasn’t been used before like tracts of homes, condos or apartments requires a new understanding and mindset. These places were previously commonly carpeted but the belief that wood floors add more value and therefore increase property sales at higher margins will perpetuate its use. For existing homes wood is perceived again as having more value and more luxury but it is something different that most people have not had before and a simple dent will freak some people out. Woods increased use is also being fueled by the multitude of home shows on the cable networks. Do yourselves a favor and watch some of these shows it will give you an insight into what people want and are using.
All of these products necessitate an increase in your knowledge of them. You are considered the experts when you offer and sell these products to the marketplace. You don’t want to hear “why didn’t you tell me this would happen,” from a customer. You may not know the answer yourselves but if you need help, call us. We have an expert in every category of flooring material including concrete and we have the answers to your questions.
Author: Lewis G. Migliore
LGM and Associates – The Floorcovering Experts