Who writes specifications for floor finishing? .......

We all have had the call to sand and finish floors where the specification has been questionable. Specs can include the sanding procedure, staining and finishing products and application procedures. Often, we wonder, where did this spec come from? Who wrote this specification? Where did they get their expertise?

The answers are, mostly the specs come from architects and interior designers and usually, the information comes from US, the floor finisher.

Is this good or bad? The answer is YES.

I am sure that architects and designers do a lot of research and ask a lot of questions when compiling specifications for a specific job. Most do a great job but some shoot from the hip and hope for a good result. For more than forty years I, as many of you, have assisted specification writers in the proper approach to achieve a certain outcome.

Why do spec writers ask floor finishers about specifications?

Architects do not learn about sanding and finishing procedures in school. Designers usually learn about color not procedure. They both know what looks good to them but NOT what really works for floor finishing. They call an expert finisher when they are not sure. This is a good thing when we offer practical procedures. It is bad when we offer advice regarding procedures and products we have never used and don’t know about. Not everyone consulted is an expert.

What harm can a bad spec do? Bad specs cost everyone. Owners and contractors lose money, time and reputations in almost all cases.

Several years ago I provided the materials requested for a museum application. This major west coast museum was closed for more than five years for earthquake proofing. The architect’s “signature” was a white floor on every project he designed. I showed four white samples. Straight white stain, one part neutral, two parts neutral and three parts neutral were the choices. Red oak, sanded to 100 grit, no screening and the stain wiped until all excess was removed. Reluctantly, with my urging, the three to one mix was accepted.

When the time came for application, the architect had the contractor screen the wood, put on straight white stain and did NOT wipe the excess stain off at all. This was the color “he” wanted. What happened? Within two weeks “the call” came. The floor was peeling in sheets. I was going to be sued.

I went to the jobsite. The original architect was no longer on the job. His replacement and I looked at the floor and then went to the office and “found” the board with the four stain samples. On the back of the 3:1 sample was both of our signatures and the date it was accepted.

The museum was once again closed, gallery by gallery and resanded and finished “as specified” by another contractor. The first contractor didn’t think he did anything wrong. He did what the architect wanted. The second contractor, who was much more knowledgeable, was too small to be bonded and was slightly higher priced so he did not get the job… the first time… but was hired to fix the job at my suggestion.

I am seeing more of these specs as we get more “experts” produced by our industry associations. A recent example… a dense, oily, imported wood, sanded, water popped, dyed, oil stained, acid cure sealer and three coats of OMU. A large job that is to be completed in nine days. What is wrong with the spec?

How do we fix and avoid these situations?

Refusing to bid the job until the owner or spec writer can be properly educated. If you can’t change the spec then suggest that they make samples, as the spec is written, as a “show and tell”.

We are all part of the “information age” and as such we should be offering high quality information regarding our work and our industry. Acquire valid, practical information and knowledge; be ready, willing and able to share that information with those who need it. Architects, designers, owners, builders, GC’s need this help as well as some of our peers.

Our unique “know how” is what the professionals of our industry possess and sharing that information will help limit losses on wood floor projects for everyone involved. We all win.

Share!!

Bill

Floor Sanding 101…..

For as long as I can remember, floor sanders have been asking “What is the proper grit sequence or sanding procedure for a particular type of wood flooring?” Many seem to feel that there is some secret knowledge known only to a select few or by being told, they will now know. As I have said before “The only secret is ‘There are no secrets’.”

Asking questions and reading the experience of others is a great source of information but should only be used as a guideline. We must all learn by doing. No matter how many times someone asks the same question, it will not be personal information until it is practiced and experienced. Whether the information comes free as here on ShopTalk or purchased in a book, it still must be done personally with attention paid to the end result to be personal experience.

Three examples of this come to mind; Grain popping, sanding schedules and sanding procedures. One of the nice features of our “new” format is the search function on ShopTalk. A few clicks and we can read a particular topic all night if we want. I understand it is easier just to ask. Most of the topics have been shared at some point but quite often it gets asked again hoping for a faster, easier answer. Much of what we do has no “hard and fast rules”. This is why we are professionals and have little patience for anyone who thinks they can ask and then just do it.

Grain popping.

Grain popping is a way of opening the grain of certain woods in certain applications to get differing results. What one is trying to accomplish will dictate how it is done. The two important points are the ones folks try to shortcut. Controlling the amount of water applied to the floor and the slow dry of that water. This is where the pros understand what and why.

Sanding sequence is not explained as 40-60-100.

The sanding sequence used on any particular job is whatever grit selection it will take to arrive at what YOU want for a final cut on your drum machine. Disk sanding, hard plating or screening is another sequence, if necessary, used for the particular wood or stain/finish process being used on that job.

Sanding procedure.

Sanding procedure is how you run your machines on a particular job dictated by the condition of the flooring. On most floors I personally try to always sand with the grain of the wood. I almost never sand at 90 degrees to the direction of the wood except on long narrow hallways. I will sand at 45 degrees or less to level a floor or on mosaic floors. Edging can be done in several different motions and directions depending upon the condition and type of floor and the type of edger being used.

In many cases, when we don’t know how to handle a particular situation or specification some folks will “throw the book” at it and do everything they can think of with the hope of getting the desired result. Experience is the best teacher and the way professionals learn.

What makes an expert?

Some think I am just being humorous when I say Test, Test, Test. I am quite serious. An expert, in my world, is someone who has the personal experience to know how to handle any flooring situation that comes along. Yes, we ask questions because no body knows everything and this is why our peers share on ShopTalk and other sites. Experts are not afraid to share techniques and procedures, this is how they teach those who want to learn. Those who want to learn apply the lessons and write down the results and refer to them when the situation arises again until it becomes regular practice.

So, the secret I have been sharing for years, I repeat….. Sample, Sample, Sample; Test, Test, Test; Practice, Practice, Practice.

Happy learning,

Bill

Your Feedback Is Important....

We sometimes miss the importance of the product comments we read on ShopTalk. They are feedback from our peers, from professionals. Manufacturers are reading our comments and they listen and the better of them react.

Sometimes manufactureres will take the position that they have NO problems with their products. Others look at the comments and decide if they are problems or conditions that affect certain uses. No manufacturer will make changes based on a few comments. But... if the same comment continues to come from different uses in different geographic and climactic areas it is in their best interest to make some improvements.

The toughest situation is the manufacturer that brings a successful product from another country or region and tries to intergrate it into the current useage. The product is compared to what is currently being used and sometimes the benefits are not seen or are overshadowed by, "My old product is different or better". No product will make everyone happy. This is why there is more than Vanilla ice cream and Ford cars.

Use what works for you and make your feelings known then go on doing the best work you can with the best products for YOU. We can and do influence the products we use.

Keep up the good work. The better manufacturers are reading and

listening.

Bill

(This is part of a recent posting)