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Claims
typically submitted by consumers are largely a
result of installation failure. By avoiding the
common mistakes below we feel confident no
warranty issues will arise. We also suggest taking
a few moments to read our story on
state of the industry - hardwood installers.
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Manufacturers will not honor any warranty claims
under the following circumstances: |
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1-
Buckling, Cupping, Crowning and Tenting of
Hardwood Floors |
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This usually occurs when no
acclimation period is followed. Other
reasons can include failure to do proper
moisture testing. Both are extremely
important to achieve a defect free
installation. Other reasons these problems
can occur is the lack of
expansion hardwood floors need. |
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2-
Creaking, Popping, Squishy, Bouncy, or Sea Saw
Effects |
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These problems are always associated with
lack or proper floor preparation,
improper subfloors or out of tolerance
subfloors. |
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3-
Gapping. Boards Not Tight |
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Hardwood flooring undergoes changes with
seasons or relative humidity within the
home. In most cases it is common to see
shrinkage of solid hardwood during dry
winter heating months. To avoid gapping we
suggest the use of a humidifier during these
periods. Gapping can also be a result of
installer inability or attention to keeping
a floor tight during the installation. |
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4-
Scratching, Dents, Dings |
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No manufacturer finish warranties cover
scratching, dents, dings or any type of
damage inflicted. Finish warranties only
cover normal wear to bare wood only. |
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5- Dull
Finish Appearances |
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All manufacturer requirements pertaining to
floor care must be followed. Gloss reduction
is not considered a defect. Damage caused by
other cleaning products are not considered a
warranty claim. Don't be mislead by consumer
products that claim their products can be
used with hardwood floors. Always do your
research. We do not advocate the use of wet
swiffers or steam vacuums. |
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6-
Fading, Color & Color Changes |
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All hardwood flooring will undergo color
changes over time when exposed to light
(direct or indirect) Fading will also occur
under the right circumstances. Differences
in color from one board to the next is
natural as no two pieces of hardwood
flooring are alike. When installing it is
suggested to work from 3-4 cartons at a time
to insure a consistent color mix of
hardwood. |
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7-
Visible Defects |
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Hardwood installed with visible defects will
not be covered. It is the responsibility of
the installer to look for flaws prior to
installation. This includes finish
irregularities and overall quality of the
flooring. Manufacturers cannot be held
responsible for products that were installed
with defects. |
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8- Do
It Yourself Jobs |
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Do it yourself installations are not covered
under manufacturer installation warranties. |
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For
more potential installation related problems not
covered under manufacturer warranties, we suggest
visiting our consumer forum titled
Yikes I Have Problems. The forum is a
collection of messages from people who have come
to our site looking for answers to their
installation related problems. |
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Ken Fisher Hardwood Installer.Com January 2, 2005 |
