Flooring Inspection Services

Solid and Engineered Hardwood

EXPERT HARDWOOD INSPECTION

The beauty of a hardwood floor diminishes quickly when problems arise. Often times there are unfortunate situations that arise and require some technical expertise. We are specifically trained and certified to perform the necessary flooring inspection and field testing procedures that lead to the determination of the cause of failure. Hardwood flooring failures are usually related to improper specification, improper installation, manufacturing defects, improper maintenance or damage after installation.

How can you tell if your floor is behaving correctly or in serious distress? Excessive gapping, cupping, crowning, buckling, splitting, cracking, swelling, lifting, scratching, and splintering are common signs of a hardwood floor in distress. Some of these issues can correct themselves while others may require partial or full replacement.

EXPERT HARDWOOD INSPECTION

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Our typical inspection report provides the moisture content readings of the wood floor and whatever wooden substrate it is attached to. We also collect data pertaining to your home’s relative humidity and temperature. We will check nailing patterns to determine if your floor was properly nailed, inspect for adequate expansion space, determine if your flooring was properly acclimated to in-use conditions and note the overall conditions of your hardwood floor. All of this information will be compared to manufacturer’s installation requirements and industry standards.

Upon completion of your inspection, we will provide you with a written report listing all pertinent information about your floor and its history. Your report will have manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards citations that many involved in the process aren’t even aware of. The report will also contain photographic images of the affected flooring as well as microscopic images if necessary.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply)

LVP -SPC - WPC

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT) and Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) provide a visually pleasing floor with very simple care and maintenance requirements. However, attention to detail is important in the installation process to ensure a long-lasting floor.

We are specifically trained and certified to perform the necessary inspection procedures and field testing that can lead to the determination of the cause of failure. LVT & LVP floor failures are usually related to improper specification, improper installation, moisture, manufacturing defects, improper maintenance or damage after installation.

PROTECT YOUR INVESTMENT

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Our typical inspection report will provide the moisture content readings of whatever substrate your LVT/LVP floor is installed over. We also take readings of the home’s relative humidity. We’ll inspect for adequate expansion space. All information will be compared to manufacturer’s installation instructions and industry standards.

Our inspection report will note the conditions on the exterior of your house and the areas below the floor, such as basements and crawl spaces. This is to ensure that the required environmental conditions are present to support a healthy laminate floor.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply)

Laminate

EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR LAMINATE FLOOR

Laminate flooring provides a visually pleasing floor without the care and maintenance requirements of a true wood floor. However, attention to details is important in the installation process to ensure a long-lasting floor. Moisture and installation errors are at the top of the list for problems associated with laminate flooring. If a dishwasher, ice maker or toilet should develop a leak, the ensuing under floor moisture will wreak havoc on your laminate floor.

We are specifically trained and certified to perform the necessary inspection procedures and field testing that can lead to the determination of the cause of failure. Laminate flooring failures are usually related to improper specification, improper installation, moisture, manufacturing defects, improper maintenance or damage after installation.

How can you tell if your floor is behaving correctly or in serious distress? Signs like excessive gapping, cupping, crowning, buckling, splitting, cracking, swelling, lifting and scratching are common indicators of a laminate floor in distress. Unfortunately, most of these cannot correct themselves and often require replacement.

EXTEND THE LIFE OF YOUR LAMINATE FLOOR

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Our typical inspection report will provide the moisture content readings of the laminate floor and whatever substrate it is installed over. We also take readings of the home’s relative humidity. We’ll inspect for adequate expansion space. All information will be compared to manufacturer’s installation instructions and industry standards.

Our inspection report will note the conditions on the exterior of your house and the areas below the floor, such as basements and crawl spaces. This is to ensure that the required environmental conditions are present to support a healthy laminate floor.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply)

Sheet Vinyl and Linoleum

EXPERT INSPECTION

Today’s sheet vinyl floors are significantly different than they were twenty years ago. They provide a visually pleasing floor with relatively simple care and maintenance requirements. However, attention to details is important in the installation process to ensure a long lasting floor.

We are trained and certified to perform the necessary inspection procedures and field testing that can lead to the determination of the cause of failure. Sheet vinyl floor failures are usually related to improper specification, improper installation, moisture, manufacturing defects, improper maintenance, or damage after installation.

EXPERT INSPECTION

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Our typical inspection report will provide the moisture content readings of whatever substrate your vinyl floor is installed over. We also take readings of the home’s relative humidity. We’ll inspect for adequate expansion space. All information will be compared to manufacturer’s installation instructions and industry standards.

Our inspection report will note the conditions on the exterior of your house and the areas below the floor, such as basements and crawl spaces. This is to ensure that the required environmental conditions are present to support a healthy laminate floor.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply)

Bamboo

EXPERT INSPECTION

Most people consider bamboo to be a hardwood flooring material. However, it is actually in the grass family and when mixed with resins, steamed, and compressed it can turn into a dense piece of flooring. Following the manufacturer’s instructions is critical, especially when installing bamboo. Many manufacturers require a T-Mold transition at all doorways and halls. If they are left out during the installation process, it can wreak havoc with your floor.

Bamboo flooring inspection requires meters with specific settings for bamboo due to their composition of grass and resins. Many inspectors have chosen not to invest in these specialized meters. Nor have they taken advantage of bamboo specific training offered through the National Wood Flooring Association. We have attended the bamboo workshops and invested in the specialized meters. This helps to assure you the most accurate report possible.

Bamboo

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Our typical bamboo inspection report provides the moisture content readings of the bamboo floor and whatever wooden substrate it is attached to. We also collect data pertaining to your home’s relative humidity and temperature. We will check for adequate expansion space and determine if your flooring was properly acclimated to in-use conditions and note the overall condition of your bamboo floor. All of this information will be compared to manufacturer’s installation requirements and industry standards.

Upon completion of your inspection, we will provide you with a written report listing all pertinent information about your floor and its history. Your report will have manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards citations that many involved in the process aren’t even aware of. The report will also contain photographic images of the affected flooring as well as microscopic images if necessary.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply)

Carpet

AN UNBIASED EXAMINATION

Millions of square yards of carpet are installed throughout this country on an annual basis. A very small percentage will develop some kind of an issue that may require resolution. Sometimes it becomes necessary to involve an unbiased third party to determine the true cause of a flooring problem. It is not at all uncommon to find yourself alone in a conflict with the other involved parties. Perhaps they have sent their own representative (often on their payroll) to your location only to inform you that there is no problem. 

That’s where Coastal Flooring Inspections becomes beneficial to you. We have no financial interest in the outcome of your carpet problem. We will perform a complete and thorough inspection of the affected area while paying strong attention to the details. Details that their representatives usually can’t cover because they lack the knowledge, training, certifications, and tools to complete the task.

carpet

COMPLETE TRANSPARENCY

Upon completion of your inspection, we will provide you with a written report listing all pertinent information about your carpet and its history. Your report will have manufacturer’s instructions and industry standards citations that many involved in the process aren’t even aware of. The report will also contain photographic images of the affected carpet as well as microscopic images if necessary.

Should the unlikely need arise, our forensic flooring report can be used in any court procedure. We will consult with your attorney and appear in court as an expert witness if you wish. (additional charges will apply).