Checklists are wonderful things. It has been reported that Ed Sullenberger, the pilot who successfully landed the plane on the Hudson river after losing engine power to a flock of birds, credits the checklist for knowing what to do when. Most of what we do is not a life or death matter. But using a checklist can save you from a financial loss that might be life or death for your business.
I am reminded of this after looking at a wood floor failure recently. A tremendous amouns of moisture was coming up through the concrete slab on grade. No moisture tests were done before installation, and no moisture barrier was installed. This did not make me think of checklists (though these two should be on every wood floor installer's checklist). What made me think of it was the site conditions: grading slopes toward the house in back and is flat on the other sides, only one gutter and downspout, sprinklers up against the walls that spray against the house, separate privacy walls in front of the house that hold the water that comes off the roof since there are no gutters, etc.
All of these things could be seen on the outside of the house. If the installer had bothered to notice them, he would have realized that this house was tailor made for moisture problems. The National Wood Flooring Association has a Job Site Checklist that includes all of these as well as many more things to check every time you sell a wood floor job. Using it will help you spot trouble areas and problems before they attack your wallet. You can use the link to the left to contact the NWFA and see about getting a copy. Better yet, look into joining the NWFA and you will get all of their materials, education, etc.
P.S. I will be attending the NWFA Expo in St Louis next week so I will not be doing inspections. I will be answering phone calls and emails and scheduling inspections for the following week.
Hope this helps.
Matt Skowron
The Floor Detective
Schedule by area code:
Monday: TRAVEL
Tuesday: NWFA CONVENTION
Wednesday: NWFA CONVENTION
Thursday: NWFA CONVENTION
Friday: TRAVEL
The schedule is always subject to change. Call if you need an inspection in an area not listed. (386) 755-9237
What's wrong with this picture?
This is another laminate floor installation. If you look carefully you can see that the transition molding is lifting off the laminate floor. I have seen some installers try and nail or glue down this lifted edge. They are not realizing that the molding is lifting because the floor has expanded and there is no more expansion space. The planks are pushing so hard on the molding that they are twisting it up. You need to figure out why there is no expansion space, address that problem, then remove and recut expansion space at the molding and reinstall the molding.
Now, that's a long drive.
Seen at a parking lot in Florida.
Thought for the Day:
"Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work" --Thomas Edison
Please feel free to email me back with thoughts, suggestions, criticisms (constructive), or things you would like to see or see more of.
