Floor inspection questions, answered
Straight answers to what people ask when a floor fails or before new flooring goes in.
I have a problem with my floor. What should I do first?
Stop any active water source, don't sand, remove or replace anything yet, and take dated photos. Gather the product name, receipts, install date and installer details. Then get an independent inspection before anyone repairs or denies a claim, because the evidence is in the floor.
What does a flooring inspector do?
An independent flooring inspector finds the cause of a floor problem. That means measuring moisture in the floor and subfloor, checking room conditions and flatness, and reviewing the installation against industry and manufacturer guidelines. The result is a written report with photos and readings that states what caused the problem.
Is it the installer's fault or a manufacturing defect?
It can be either, or neither: many failures come from site conditions like slab moisture, leaks or humidity. An inspection separates product, installation, site and maintenance causes so the right party is responsible.
My flooring warranty claim was denied. What can I do?
Ask for the denial and any inspection report in writing, then get an independent inspection. A second, impartial report gives you documented evidence to discuss with the retailer, installer, manufacturer or your insurer.
Do you sell or install flooring?
No. We only inspect and test, so the findings aren't influenced by selling a replacement floor.
Who hires a flooring inspector?
Homeowners, flooring retailers and distributors handling claims, manufacturers, builders and contractors, property managers and HOAs, insurance adjusters and attorneys.
Can your report be used for an insurance claim or a legal dispute?
Yes. Reports include photos, instrument readings, the standards referenced and a clear statement of cause, which is the documentation insurers, manufacturers and attorneys look for.
How much does a flooring inspection cost?
It depends on the floor size, how many floor types are involved and whether moisture testing is needed. Send a short description and photos to hello@socalfloorinspection.com or use the request form for a quote.
What areas do you cover?
Every county in Southern California: Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara and Imperial, plus nearby areas on request.
Is vinyl plank flooring waterproof?
The surface of most vinyl plank resists water, but water can still get under the floor through seams and edges, and moisture from a concrete slab can affect adhesives and cause mold. Waterproof doesn't mean the subfloor can be wet.
How long does concrete need to dry before installing flooring?
There is no safe rule of thumb based on time alone. Drying depends on slab thickness, mix, climate and HVAC. The reliable answer is to test the slab (ASTM F2170 relative humidity, and the flooring maker's required tests) and compare the results to the flooring and adhesive manufacturer's limits.
Why is my hardwood floor cupping?
Cupping means the edges of each board sit higher than the center. It almost always means the bottom of the boards holds more moisture than the top. The moisture usually comes from below (a damp slab or crawlspace), from a leak, or from high indoor humidity.
Causes and what to do →Why is my hardwood floor crowning?
Crowning is the opposite of cupping: the center of each board is higher than the edges. It usually happens when a cupped floor was sanded flat before it dried, or when moisture reaches the top of the boards.
Causes and what to do →Why is my hardwood floor buckling or lifting off the subfloor?
Buckling is when boards lift away from the subfloor. It is the most severe moisture reaction in wood flooring, usually caused by flooding, a major leak or missing expansion space.
Causes and what to do →Why are there gaps between my hardwood floor boards?
Some seasonal gapping is normal in solid hardwood: boards shrink in dry months and close up again when humidity returns. Gaps that are wide, permanent or getting worse point to a moisture or installation problem.
Causes and what to do →Why is my hardwood floor squeaking?
Squeaks come from movement: boards rubbing against each other or fasteners sliding in the subfloor. Common causes are a subfloor that isn't flat or stiff enough, too few fasteners, or seasonal drying.
Causes and what to do →Why is the finish peeling off my hardwood floor?
Peeling finish is almost always an adhesion failure between coats or between the finish and the wood. Typical causes are contamination from cleaners or polishes, poor abrasion between coats, or incompatible products.
Causes and what to do →Why is my engineered hardwood delaminating?
Delamination is when the wood wear layer separates from the core. It can be caused by moisture, extreme dryness, or a bonding problem from manufacturing. Telling these apart requires on-site testing.
Causes and what to do →Why does my glued-down engineered floor sound hollow?
Hollow spots in a glued floor usually mean the adhesive didn't fully bond to the boards or the subfloor. The usual causes are poor adhesive coverage, an uneven subfloor, or moisture affecting the adhesive.
Causes and what to do →Why is my engineered hardwood cupping?
Engineered floors resist moisture better than solid wood, but they still cup when the bottom of the board takes on moisture, usually from the slab or subfloor.
Causes and what to do →Why is my laminate floor peaking at the seams?
Peaking is when two boards push against each other and rise into a ridge. It usually means the floating floor can't expand: it is pinned by cabinets, trim or heavy furniture, or it is missing expansion space at the walls.
Causes and what to do →Why are my laminate floor edges swelling?
Swollen edges mean water got into the fiberboard core, usually from wet mopping, spills, pet accidents or a leak. The swelling doesn't go back down.
Causes and what to do →Why is my laminate floor separating?
Laminate separates when the locking joints are stressed, often by an uneven subfloor, large humidity swings, or damaged locking edges during installation.
Causes and what to do →Why is my vinyl plank floor separating?
Vinyl plank moves with temperature. Gaps usually open when the floor gets very hot and then cools, like near sunny windows or in a home left closed in summer. Other causes are an uneven subfloor or damaged click joints.
Causes and what to do →Why is my vinyl plank floor lifting or peaking?
Vinyl plank peaks when it expands and has nowhere to go. That usually means it is pinned under cabinets or trim, or the expansion space at the walls was too small for the heat it sees.
Causes and what to do →Why are the edges of my glue-down vinyl curling up?
Curling edges on glue-down vinyl usually mean the adhesive bond failed, most often from moisture or high pH in the concrete slab, or from the wrong adhesive or open time.
Causes and what to do →Why is my vinyl floor turning yellow or stained?
Yellowing or staining on vinyl often comes from rubber-backed mats and rugs, which can react with vinyl. It can also come from strong UV exposure or certain cleaners.
Causes and what to do →Why is my SPC floor separating?
SPC usually separates when the subfloor isn't flat enough, when the floor is pinned, or when locking joints were damaged during installation.
Causes and what to do →Why does my SPC floor sound hollow or move when I walk?
A hollow sound or movement under foot usually means the planks are spanning low spots in the subfloor. Over time this can break the locking joints.
Causes and what to do →Why are my SPC floor planks cracking?
SPC planks crack when they are stressed over a dip or hump, or when heavy point loads sit on an unsupported area. Impact damage can also crack the core.
Causes and what to do →Why is my WPC floor separating or peaking?
WPC moves with temperature like other vinyl. Gaps and peaks usually come from heat exposure, too little expansion space, or a pinned floor.
Causes and what to do →Why does my WPC floor have soft spots or dents?
Soft spots usually come from subfloor dips under the floor; dents come from heavy point loads on the foamed core.
Causes and what to do →Why is my tile floor cracking?
Tile cracks usually come from movement below the tile: a cracked slab, a subfloor that flexes too much, or missing movement joints. A crack that runs in a line across several tiles often follows a crack in the concrete.
Causes and what to do →Why do my floor tiles sound hollow?
Hollow-sounding tiles usually have incomplete mortar contact underneath. Not every hollow sound is a failure, but it can lead to cracking and loose tiles.
Causes and what to do →Why are my floor tiles popping up?
Tiles tent or pop up when the floor has no room to move. Temperature and moisture changes build pressure, and without movement joints the tiles lift.
Causes and what to do →Why are the edges of my tiles uneven?
Lippage is a height difference between neighboring tiles. Some is allowed, depending on tile and grout joint size, but large differences can come from an uneven substrate, tile warpage or installation technique.
Causes and what to do →Why does my marble floor have dull spots?
Dull spots on marble, limestone and travertine are usually etching: acids from cleaners, drinks or food react with the stone. Sealers reduce staining but don't prevent etching.
Causes and what to do →Why is my stone floor cracking?
Stone cracks for the same reasons tile does, such as substrate movement, deflection or missing movement joints, plus natural fissures in some stones.
Causes and what to do →Why is my carpet wrinkling or rippling?
Wrinkles and ripples usually mean the carpet wasn't stretched tight enough with a power stretcher during installation. They can also come from humidity, the wrong pad, or backing delamination.
Causes and what to do →Why can I see the seams in my carpet?
Some seam visibility is normal, especially in some carpet styles and lighting. Highly visible, peaked or separating seams point to seaming technique or layout.
Causes and what to do →Why does my carpet look like it has water stains or shading?
Shading or pile reversal makes areas look darker or lighter because the pile leans in different directions. It is a known characteristic of many cut-pile carpets and often isn't a defect.
Causes and what to do →Get an independent inspection
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll explain the next step. We cover every county in Southern California and only inspect. We don't sell or install flooring.