Carpets & Flooring
CRI Articles
IEHA Articles
IICRC Articles
Features
Although many homeowners choose to decorate their homes in carpet, some prefer the clean, earthy, and/or upscale look of wood, ceramic tile, marble, vinyl, or stone. However, due to climate, abuse, natural disaster, even improper installation, hard surfaces can deteriorate, increasing the costs of repair or replacement if left unchecked. [Note: Ad or content links featured on this page are not necessarily affiliated with IICRC (The cleantrust) and should not be considered a recommendation or endorsement by IICRC (The cleantrust)].
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) can help by pointing you in the right direction for all areas of hard-surface inspection and problem analysis.
How do you know if you have a problem? Most of us look at the surface. Areas of concern could be: noticeable gapping, cupping, delamination, splits, dents, scratches, peaked seams, buckling, seam swelling or separation.
However, the problem can be like an iceberg. What we see on the surface is but a small part of a bigger problem underneath. The IICRC recommends using certified inspectors that are qualified through a series of courses on flooring product performance and specifications, along with typical problems that may be related to manufacture, installation, maintenance, or just specific flooring characteristics. They are trained to look under the surface, at subflooring, over which the floor coverings are installed. Is there mold? Is there cracking or wood rot? Certified professionals can diagnose the problem "underneath," and help homeowners better understand both what caused the problem as well as the best solution.
If you've noticed a change in the appearance of your hard surfaces, or have recently experienced flooding, earthquakes, or the like, the IICRC recommends not waiting to have an inspection. Doing so can help avoid additional problems later, and provide peace of mind that you’ve taken the steps to ensure your flooring is healthy, safe and sound.
