OVF October Newsletter

Halloween is fast approaching. It is a fun season for families who like to decorate the front porches with Jack-o-lanterns, skeletons, and other spooky items. I enjoy watching scary movies this time of the year. I have a few favorites I like to re-watch over and over. I love seeing all the little kids dressing up in costumes for parties and Trick-or-Treating around the neighborhood. So cute!

NOT cute: Flooring problems! Some are scary! Some are downright horrible! Especially if seen in your own projects! So now it has become my annual tradition to feature a newsletter full of flooring horrors. Hopefully we can learn from them. Beware!

?Flooring Horror Stories!

No facility is immune to flooring horrors. Many things can happen in the life span of a floor. Origins of flooring horrors are varied. Some can be quite mysterious. Some arise from installer errors. Some happen as a result of carelessness on the part of the end-user. In some instances, defects happen in the manufacturing of a product. Certain flooring horrors can be quite complicated and costly to resurrect. I have collected some new examples to share with you for educational purposes. Don’t get panicked now! These examples are all anonymous. I promise I don’t know anything about the locations or even where the products came from. When requesting photos, I asked my sources to omit any identifying information. These images are intended purely for our educational purposes. So hold your screams please!

Below: Installer Error! We all know that using nails to attached resilient wall base is not recommended, right? I can just imagine the poor frustrated installer. It’s the end of the day. The job is almost finished and he’s having a devil of a time getting this corner to stay put!

?There is a right way and a wrong way to install resilient wall base. The first place to start is with the manufacturer’s instructions. But even before the install begins, coils should be unrolled and allowed to relax for a minimum of 24 hours prior to installation where the temperature between 65oF (18.3oC) and 85oF (29.4oC).

For outside field-made corners our manufacturer directs:

A. Stop application of adhesive to wall base approximately 18" (45cm) from the outside corner of the wall. B. Position the wall base at the corner and pencil line the back of the wall base where the bend is required. C. Lay the wall base on the floor with the backup. Utilizing a top-set or pull-type gouge tool, make a shallow notch along the pencil line. D. Note: The notch depth should not exceed one-quarter the total thickness of the wall base. E. Reposition the wall base corner on the wall. The corner of the wall should fit snugly into the notched recess on the back of the wall base. F. Apply adhesive and roll firmly into place. NOTE: Tarkett 946 Premium Contact Adhesive may be used to ensure a faster setup at the corner.

?Manufacturing Defects Horror Show!

?Can you just imagine the finger-pointing in this example of two colors in the rubber tile project shown above? It’s enough to give anyone a nightmare!

Though it is rare, material sometimes may arrive off color. This one looks like two different color tiles. No need to shriek though! Here’s what to do:

Take good photos of the two differences and call your friendly distributor rep who will get the claims process started with the manufacturer. Also, helpful is to take examples from both the installed and the attic stock so a comparison can be made.

The conclusion: The manufacturer confirmed the dye lot issue and quickly re-made and shipped new tile. Happy ending!

?Manufacturing errors can involve other issues besides color. If pattern, size, or other irregularities are present in the product, take photos and contact your distributor rep right away! Below we see a defect in the patterning of this resilient tile.

Recommended tip for future reference: Carefully inspect the tile in proper lighting prior to installing!

?More Flooring Frights: When Bad Things Happen to Good Floors!

Oh NO!!!! This Floor is Possessed!

?Self-levelers can save a lot of time and energy in making subfloors ready to receive new flooring. There are many different types of levelers for different situations. Some are for porous substrates and some are for non-porous. Some types are hybrid. We now have a self-leveler that is also a moisture barrier! Yes! We’ve seen new products introduced every year.

The key to success using any self-leveler is understanding the manufacturer’s instructions. Otherwise, you run the risk of creating a monster. Such is the flooring massacre above. This is they way a self-leveler looks that has been over-watered. This evil had to be exorcised and the job re-started from scratch causing delays and frustrations.

We do appreciate the experienced installer but let’s face facts. Technology evolves and products also evolve. One self-leveler is not the same as another. The instructions should be read, understood and followed.

When You Need Advice About Treatment of Subfloor Problems, Remember OVF Can Help You!!

Partnering with OVF on your subfloor solutions makes sense. We have the resources, products, and more importantly, the guidance to get you the results you and your clients expect. Don’t go it alone if you’re not quite sure! We would be happy to get you a demonstration, training, and even bring in a subfloor expert to walk your job site with you. We want you to be successful and finish your projects quickly and efficiently. Reach out anytime to your OVF rep and let’s discuss the possibilities!

?A Frightfully Filthy Rubber Floor!

?This photo above illustrates what can happen if the owner does not use the proper equipment for maintaining a rubber tile floor. Rubber is to always be cleaned by a 16-24 oz brush. Never a pad. A brush cleans deep. (Like a toothbrush cleans your teeth!) A pad only glides across the surface and will not clean into the texture.

?Complete instructions are found here:

The OVF Advantage! Did you know? OVF offers installation training at our Cincinnati headquarters. Know any installers who would benefit? Reach out to your OVF rep and ask about scheduling!

Ohio Valley Flooring is one of the region’s largest flooring distributors. That means options and choices for design professionals and installation providers! With our 460,000 SF primary warehouse in Mason, Ohio, OVF has the capacity to stock many items for Quick Ship so that supply chain woes can be minimized. If you ever need assistance in finding alternates to meet your budget or timeline, or simply need advice, reach out. We are ready to help you find a happy ending to your flooring horror story.

Have a Happy Halloween!

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