Where Do You Get Your Information?
Recently I was looking for some good installation information for a contractor. While browsing through YouTube for a video to show, I came across some absolutely horrible, incorrect videos. One showed a contractor installing an engineered wood floor in a basement. Not such a bad thing except the previous flooring had been carpet over Vinyl Asbestos Tile (VAT). He stated that the “black stuff” on the floor was the glue from the padding – which was actually cutback adhesive oozing up between the tiles (which also indicates that there could be a moisture issue). While showing how to trowel the adhesive on the floor, a piece of the tile came up. This installer proceeded to say that it wasn’t a problem and to just “glue it back down”. He then proceeded to fill in spots where the tiles were broken with extra adhesive. The salesperson and credentialed Inspector in me couldn’t stop watching because it was so bad. I feel for the customer who will call this contractor back in 6 months when their floor is still sliding around because the adhesive didn’t cure and their wood floor is all cupped. It makes me sad that information like this is out there and good installers may think this could be an acceptable installation. I obviously didn’t send this video to my contractor, but it made me think – where do you get your information? Hopefully not all from YouTube university!
As a salesperson working with contractors, part of my job is to help get them the best information on the products their customers picked out. This includes installation instructions, product specifications, and my background on knowing if the product chosen will work for the customer and installer. My background as an Inspector has helped me know much of this information already by all the research I do. The best way I found much of this information, however, is by asking. I ask sales reps what their thoughts are on the best application of their product. If the sales pitch they were giving me was more marketing than good information, I go to their technical department and ask them. I ask other Inspectors from across the country what their thoughts are on a specific product or application. This is a network I am privileged to have access to. I know that isn’t always the case. So, who do you go to?
There are many places to get information, the internet is probably the biggest source, but you cannot always trust it. Who do you call next? Do you have a favorite salesperson? Do you know a mill rep? What about where you get your supplies? Each one of these people hopefully can direct you on the right path. Another tool is to call a manufacturer technical support line. All of these people should be able to get you the information you need to do the best job or suggest the best application. My technical services friends all tell me they wish more installers would call them and ask “the question” than proceed and have the installation fail and end up costing lots of money.
There are also several organizations out there to help teach and guide you on the best installation practices. The International Certified Flooring Installers Association (CFI) teaches classes in proper installation techniques for carpet, hardwood, laminate, resilient, and ceramic. The National Association of Floor Covering Technicians (NAFCT) is another organization that teaches classes in subfloor prep, resilient installation, and subfloor inspection. The National Tile Contractors Association (NTCA) has some great resources and a reference manual.
Another big topic is installation instructions, especially with floating vinyl floors. Did you know some manufacturers require a moisture barrier under their product if it is over concrete? Did you know some only recommend it? Did you know some tell you not to install one at all? Having the most recent installation instructions for the floor you are installing is most important. Many manufacturers have changed their instructions on moisture barriers, radiant heat, locking directions, and repair procedures. It is frustrating as an inspector sometimes to find the right installation instructions, so I can only imagine the frustration for an installer if the company is no longer putting the instructions in the box! Where do you find the installation instructions if they are not in the box? Some companies have put a scannable QR code
on the box which is supposed to help (I have heard these are not as user friendly as they should be). Do you ask for them from the salesperson when you pick up the floor or when you order it? While some websites are great for browsing products, they are not always easy to find technical information.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Finding the best information you can for the products you are working with can be difficult. Find a good source of information from someone you trust. The finished product in the end, without having a call back, is worth it. Cover yourself by being equipped with the best information possible at the time. This is an industry where we always have to be learning. And always be wary of what you find on YouTube.