Due to recent events, and continued reliance for consultations concerning flooring complaints by some inspectors, we at the Guild, the Peer Reviewed Inspectors and Consultants, have voluntarily instigated a new policy.

Over time, we acknowledge that there have been challenges in our efforts to teach the truth about flooring issues. Many, we learned, would defend to the point of absurdity the myths they held dear and promoted rather than admit they were wrong. 

We were severely criticized during some of our early seminars for "NOT PROTECTING THE BRAND." 

In other words, teaching about phenomena such as manufacturing defects was often labeled as "anti-flooring industry." 

We are in the flooring trade, how can we possibly be anti-manufacturing? 

Yes, we admit, sometimes the truth can be troublesome. However, not everyone attending our seminars wanted or felt the need to have their "brand protected." We knew, from the beginning, that the truth might not be popular with certain groups or even a few manufacturers. 

At this time, we would like to express our gratitude to Shaw Industries and Tarkett for sending their expert installation technicians to teach valuable techniques at our seminars. These are good people, and we appreciate their support. Maybe, quality and honest treatment of people doesn't need protecting? Mohawk and Mannington have also taught at our seminars. Delmhorst and Tramex Meters are constantly helping us better understand how to accurately use our meters. 

After much discussion with our instructors, peer-reviewed consultants, and inspectors, we are making this important policy change. 

From this point forward, we must begin charging for any consulting services requested by inspectors who have not attended our seminars or classes. 

Retailers, we will continue to offer initial complimentary consultations. Please contact one of our Peer Reviewed Experts below in your area. 

We will still strive to help inspectors because we know it ultimately benefits manufacturers, retailers, and installers. But we also have an obligation to protect and prioritize those who have shown true dedication to learning and maintaining high professional standards. 

We pledge to continue teaching the truth to those who seek it, without resorting to protectionism for any brand. 

We believe it’s not fair to our dedicated students, inspectors and consultants who have invested significant time, tuition, independent studies, and years of experience to give away the knowledge they've earned to those who haven't made the same commitment but still seek our knowledge, expertise and experience for assistance. 

It is most certainly not fair to our instructors who labor in their limited free time to prepare these classes, that amounts to stealing. All our class material is copyrighted.

We will continue to support IFCII and ITS and their instructors, as their independent classes are truly valuable. Their instructors attend our classes and seminars.

We’ve received reports that highlight the need for a shift in our approach. 

For instance, an inspector wrote a report claiming that engineered wood planks in a western South Carolina lake house were experiencing "dry cupping." All moisture measurements were between 8-9%, yet the inspector still attributed it to "site conditions." Dry cupping in the Southeast is extremely rare. The moisture content measurements confirm this is not the boggy man catch all, "Site Conditions". 

We also saw a report in which an infrared thermal camera “reportedly” detected and measured moisture. See Photograph above. 

However, the inspector missed this key factor. The answer was right in the name — "thermal". The planks had buckled at the wall from lack of expansion space from improper acclimation. The inspector had a IR camera attachment and conflicted the blue cold air with moisture. An IR camera does not measure moisture. The cooling of moisture or water can show as blue but, it is the cooling effect. where the subfloor and wall panels meet will often show as red or blue, depending upon the season. 

He should have attended our IR class to learn how to use it as a diagnostic tool. 

The sad thing is, this inspector’s report resulted in the simple expense of one inspection, costing the retailer five times the first inspectors honest and truthful report. A home inspector and lawyer had to become involved; and the retailer still had to do the easy, simple repair recommended by the Peer Reviewed Consultant. There were enough planks left from the original installation to replace the planks that had buckled. 

Another report revealed the inspector wrote a ceramic tile report that didn’t mention ANSI/ASTM standards. Despite having a ceramic tile certification, the inspector didn’t have access to the necessary standards, nor was he provided with them in his training how to use them. 

As an aside, we strongly recommend that any flooring inspector seeking quality tile education attend the Ceramic Tile Education Foundation Installation School. I personally attended several times in my younger years (I live just an hour away) and can assure you it offers top-tier tile education. 

While we are saddened by this necessary change, it is a step we must take to ensure fairness to our students, instructors, and peer-reviewed consultants who have committed themselves to high ethical standards. 

This is the Brand We Protect: Honest Floor Education and High Ethical Values.

We must protect those who are serious about their education and reporting the truth accurately. 

Retailers: Inspection Report Reviews $ use this link$  to find your Peer Reviewed Inspector and Consultant.

Selva "Lee" Tucker SC, GA and NC. selvalee@mac.com

Wayne Laforett. Canada wayne@flooringsolutions.ca

Henri Carr Atlanta GA. Henri@IFCII.org

Tom Hammond NC thamm5022@gmail.com

Bill Zoetvelt Ill. Bill@solutions4floors.com

Billy Simmons Gulf Coast simmonsinspections@gmail.com

Will Stoner Northern Al. and Tn inspectorinfo@aol.com

Andrew Fronczek. Ohio mail@fronczek.com

Bruce Bennett Ohio floorproblems@gmail.com

ROLAND VIERRA. Northern Calif. Roland.Vierra@flooringforensics.com

Michael Cohn Southern Calif. macohn9@gmail.com

Stephen Perrera AZ.-NM hardwoodfloortucsonaz@gmail.com

Claudia Lezell. Tx claudia@inspectionstoo.com

David Newman. North West dahofloordoc@gmail.com

Sam Zarcone flooringmaven@embarqmail.com

Gerald Peckham. Southern Calif. floorcovering@cox.net

David Hunt. National Woven carpet consulting expert vtrugco@gmavt.net

David Horan. Pa. djhoran@comcast.net

Dominick Sgroi North East donsgroi@gmail.com

Steve Rockfeld. NY Stevenjrockfeld@aol.com

Stephen Cascioli. Canada nova@aei.ca

Raymond Fournier Canada (retired, consulting only) florzinspections@gmail.com

Barry Flath ND. barry_flath@yahoo.com

John Paul Viveiros Mass. Northeast JP@myjvfloor.com

Recently, we were asked how to become a Peer Reviewed Inspector and Consultant. First, you must have a minimum of 20 years. 

After the person is nominated, education and experience is reviewed and a consensus reached. 

You do not have to necessarily be a certified inspector. You can be a recognized expert in your specialized area of experience. Also, important, of good honest character. 

We recognize Mr. and Mrs. Hunt, of the Vermont Rug Company (who has written many woven carpet installation guidelines and books on natural fibers) as leading experts in the Woven Carpet Industry. They actually have small looms for speciality carpets they make! 

At our class at Va.Tech a year ago, Dr. Loferski remarked, in the class room, not counting the people attending virtually, there was over 500 years of experience. There were 12 students, and another 14 virtually. Everyone with between 20 to 50 years of experience in the flooring trade. Total, close to 700 plus years of experience! 

Knowledgable experts who knew their trade but wanted to learn more.