you need Peer reviewed consultants and inspectors

This is in a grocery store. Built just over twelve years ago.

This crack gradually appeared. 

First inspector wrote a report blaming the manufacturer. Hired by the store chain. His report stated because of this one crack, just over 4’ long, the entire flooring in the grocery store,  “MUST BE REPLACED!”. That is a direct quote, just as he wrote it. IN ALL CAPS. 

Please observe it runs in a straight line.

Concrete on grade.

We all know concrete cracks but, does it always crack in such a straight line as this?

The lawyer who called told us he knew little about floors, so he was depended upon our knowledge and experience. He was hired by the manufacturer. 

He wanted to know the following: Is there a case? If yes,  then who is responsible?

What we do know is what runs in straight lines in / on concrete under our flooring. 

We told him it was consistent with joints in the concrete, but a Held Harmless Release was needed from the store to do destructive testing to be 100% positive, but, can state with conviction a professional opinion that that is a joint in the concrete underneath the tiles.

Was it prepared properly or not will not be known until some of the flooring is removed to examine the concrete. 

The store, worried about trip / fall lawsuits, said no. 

The lawyer and I tracked down the installation / flooring contractor. Out of business.

We found out the construction company went out of business several years ago also.  

We know it is not manufacturing. But, to the store that is the only business they can “go after”. 

So, here we are, with a crack that gradually appeared approximately 12 years after installation. 

There is no construction company or flooring contractor the  store can get to fix it. The first inspector was unable to explain why it was a manufacturing defect. 

This is well over 90,000 sq. ft of flooring by the old construction invoice.

What to do? A Peer Reviewed Consultant, a Flooring Elder, can make recommendations how to repair it but, we know it will not match in appearance. 

Should the inspector have written it must all be replaced? 

No, of course not. In his report, he stated he is an “elevated inspector” and his opinion is a manufacturing defect, without an explanation why and how it is a defect, therefore, it is a defect only because he said it is. 

That’s weak, so weak. 

We strongly recommend a Peer Reviewed Flooring Consultant. Click here to find one in your area. Each one has over 40 – 50 year’s experience, and all over 25 years as  inspectors and consultants.