Checks (Surface & End) (Solid Hardwood)
Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide
What You Need to Know
• Checks are lengthwise separations of wood fibers that occur parallel to the grain and wood rays in solid hardwood flooring
• Surface checks occur on the face of boards, while end checks occur at the exposed end grain
• These separations originate during the lumber drying process and may be
Grain Raise (Hardwood Finish Issue)
December 16, 2025
Grain Raise (Hardwood) Floor Detective® Defect Guide What You Need to Know • Grain raise is an appearance-related surface condition...
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Splits – Cracks
August 7, 2023
The 2018 National Wood Flooring Association Publication C200, Problems, Causes, and Cures, states the following on page 14. Splits/Cracks Definition:...
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Wood Distortion
December 5, 2022
What you need to know The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) states the following on page 4 of the 2018...
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Wood Shear (Engineered Flooring)
January 1, 2022
What you need to know The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) states the following on page 9 in 2018 Technical...
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Hollow Sounds
October 20, 2021
Hollow Sounds (Hardwood) Floor Detective® Defect Guide What You Need to Know • Hollow sounds are audible tonal differences perceived...
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Dry Cupping – Engineered Hardwood
March 22, 2021
Dry Cupping (Engineered Hardwood) Floor Detective® Claims and Conditions Guide What You Need to Know • Dry cupping is a...
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White Lines
March 17, 2021
What you need to know White Line Syndrome (WLS) is a condition that can occur on a site-finished floor that...
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Water Damage – Laminate
March 17, 2021
Water Damage (Laminate) Floor Detective® Defect Guide What You Need to Know • Laminate flooring is moisture resistant, not waterproof...
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Vapor Retarder
March 16, 2021
What you need to know A vapor retarder is a vapor-resistant material. In new construction, vapor retarders are often architecturally...
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