Quality Control & Maintenance Practices Flashcards

A homeowner wants to use a steam mop on their sealed hardwood floors. What should you advise?

Answer: Steam mops should never be used on hardwood floors

Steam mops force hot moisture into wood and between boards, causing swelling, finish damage, and long-term structural damage to hardwood floors.

What does a pH test on a concrete slab determine before resilient flooring installation?

Answer: Whether the concrete has excessive alkalinity that could affect adhesive bond

High pH (alkalinity) from moisture migrating through concrete can break down adhesive bonds over time, so pH testing identifies this risk before installation.

During carpet maintenance, a client asks about the frequency of professional hot water extraction cleaning. What is the CRI recommendation for residential carpet?

Answer: Every 12-18 months

CRI recommends professional hot water extraction cleaning every 12-18 months under normal residential use to remove deep soil and maintain carpet appearance.

What is the correct procedure when a tile installation shows efflorescence on the grout surface?

Answer: Clean with a diluted acid solution designed for efflorescence removal

Efflorescence (salt deposits) can be removed with a diluted acid cleaner specifically formulated for this purpose, followed by thorough rinsing.

A quality control inspection reveals that vinyl composition tile (VCT) has a wavy or rippled appearance after installation. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Adhesive was applied too wet or tiles were installed before adhesive reached proper tack

Installing VCT before adhesive reaches the proper open-time tack allows tiles to shift and ripple; the adhesive must reach the right tack before tiles are placed.

When inspecting engineered wood flooring for delamination, what is the most reliable field test?

Answer: Tapping the surface with a hard object and listening for a hollow sound

Tapping the engineered floor surface and listening for a hollow or drum-like sound reveals areas where the layers have separated (delaminated) from each other.

What is the correct method to address a squeaking hardwood floor caused by boards rubbing against each other?

Answer: Apply powdered graphite or talcum powder in the seams

Powdered graphite or talcum powder applied in the seams between squeaking boards acts as a dry lubricant to eliminate friction-caused squeaks without damaging the finish.