FIG. 04 — Material page · Southern California
Hardwood cupping, gapping or buckling? Find out why.
Wood reacts to moisture, and most hardwood problems come down to where that moisture came from and who was supposed to control it. That's what I find out.
FIG. 04 — Brown wooden parquet floor tiles under close inspection
Common failures
What I see, and what it usually means.
01
Cupping.
Board edges higher than the middle, usually from moisture below.
02
Crowning.
The middle higher than the edges, often after a cupped floor was sanded flat too soon.
03
Gaps between boards.
Wood shrinking as it dries out, or flooring that wasn't acclimated before install.
04
Buckling.
Boards lifting off the subfloor. Usually a serious moisture event.
05
Finish problems.
Peeling, white haze or wearing through early. Can be the product, the application or the cleaning.
06
Engineered wood splitting or delaminating.
The top layer separating from the core.
What I check on site
Relative moisture testing on top of the floor to spot areas of excessive moisture, indoor humidity, acclimation, installation method (nailed, glued or floating) against the manufacturer's instructions, expansion space, finish, and maintenance. Hardwood inspections usually take more testing and more documentation, so they're quoted individually.
What the report tells you
Nearly every flooring problem comes back to one of four things: the product, the installation, the site (moisture, the subfloor, the climate inside the house), or how the floor has been cared for. My report says which one, and shows the evidence.
Why an independent inspector
The store's inspector is hired by the store. I'm hired by you, I don't sell flooring, and I don't take jobs that want a particular answer. Fifty years in the trade, licensed contractor for 40 of them, and certified through FCITS, IFCII and NALFA.
"Wonderful job you've done on this report!"
How much does an inspection cost?
Packages start at $650 for an on-site inspection, testing and a written report. Mileage from Temecula is added, plus a set add-on for hardwood, tile, stone or areas over 4,000 sq ft. You'll have the full price before anything is booked, and payment confirms the appointment.
See all packages and fees →Will you need to pull up any flooring?
Not without your permission. Most inspections need no damage at all. If a test would mean removing a piece, I'll explain why and ask first.
Will cupping go away on its own?
Sometimes it settles once the moisture source is fixed, and sometimes it doesn't. Finding the moisture source comes first, and that's the main thing the inspection does.