Robert Blochinger, chair of the Inspection Division for the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) and a full-time inspector, notes that inspectors can provide several helpful steps such as evaluating a site before any work is performed, determining specifics about the floor (surface, moisture content, whether the existing floor is salvageable, etc.), assessing products and installation materials, and evaluating whether flooring maintenance has been performed within manufacturing and industry standards.
There are several factors to consider when deciding whether or not to call in a third-party inspector, Blochinger adds.
Those include whether the job site has one or multiple issues, the scope of the issues, whether certification is needed, whether there are specific insurance or legal concerns, whether the product has a latent defect, and if control of the workspace is compromised.
All in all, there are many reasons to embark upon third-party floor inspections, particularly in difficult-to-navigate situations such as the requirement of specific testing, evaluation, measurement, or documentation. Third-party inspectors can also be employed to provide training to staff, general contractors, and claims representatives, as well as to explain any warranty questions including cleaning actions that could void the warranty.
If there is any doubt in mind whether the usual technicians or staff have the knowledge and experience necessary to adequately complete a job, third-party floor inspections should be considered as a safeguard.
There is a need for third-party experts in many situations, concludes Blochinger. Once you identify the need, they can become an integral part of your facility’s overall protection plan.
