David Zack – Certified Flooring Inspector

Independent Flooring Inspector | Flooring Claims Consultant | Industry Author and Educator

David Zack is an independent, certified flooring inspector serving Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding communities. With more than 35 years of experience in the flooring industry, he has conducted an estimated 17,000 residential and commercial flooring inspections throughout his career.

Active in the flooring industry since 1988 and first certified as a flooring inspector in 1991, David specializes in investigating flooring complaints, evaluating reported defects, and identifying conditions associated with manufacturing, installation, maintenance, environmental influences, and product performance.

His inspection experience encompasses carpet, hardwood, laminate, luxury vinyl plank and tile (LVP/LVT), resilient flooring, and ceramic and porcelain tile. Each inspection is conducted independently, with nonbiased findings supported by documented observations, applicable field testing, manufacturer installation requirements, and recognized industry standards.

David is the founder and developer of FloorDetective.com, a comprehensive flooring inspection, technical reference, and claims management platform serving approximately 3,000 flooring professionals throughout the United States and Canada. The platform includes an extensive Claims & Conditions Library developed with contributions from more than 50 flooring industry experts.

He is the author of The Carpet Book – Claims Guide and co-author of The Ultimate Carpet Manufacturing, Inspection & Claims Training Manual. He has also been an invited presenter at multiple CCA Global Partners conventions, educating Flooring America, Flooring Canada, and Carpet One professionals on flooring claims, complaints, and related technical issues.

His professional background also includes ownership and operation of two carpet cleaning businesses, experience in material testing laboratories, and supervisory responsibilities at Chrysler Corporation.

INSPECTION SERVICES AND AREAS OF EXPERTISE

• Independent residential and commercial flooring inspections

• Carpet, hardwood, laminate, LVT/LVP, resilient flooring, and ceramic tile inspections

• Reported manufacturing defects and product performance concerns

• Flooring installation and workmanship evaluations

• Moisture-related flooring complaints and environmental conditions

• Carpet appearance retention, crushing, matting, texture changes, and wear concerns

• Hardwood flooring movement, cupping, crowning, and related complaints

• Laminate and floating floor movement, joint separation, and noise concerns

• Luxury vinyl flooring installation and performance evaluations

• Tile bond concerns, hollow-sounding tiles, cracking, and grout-related complaints

• Carpet sidematch and color variation evaluations

• Carpet corrective procedures, including shearing, steaming, spot dyeing, and pile lifting

• Technical field testing, moisture measurements, and photographic documentation

• Manufacturer claims investigations and independent technical reporting

• Flooring-related litigation consulting and expert-witness services

PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATIONS

Carpet Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration

• IICRC Senior Practicing Carpet Inspector

• IICRC Carpet Cleaning

• IICRC Water Damage Restoration

• IICRC Basic Repair

• AFS Master Color Blender

• FDET Carpet Inspector

Hardwood and Laminate Flooring

• NWFA Hardwood Inspector

• NALFA Laminate Inspector

• ITS Hardwood Inspector

• ITS Laminate Inspector

• FDET Hardwood and Laminate Inspector

Resilient Flooring and Luxury Vinyl

• IFCII Resilient/LVT Inspector

• FCITS LVT Inspector

• ITS LVT Inspector

• FDET Resilient Inspector

Ceramic Tile and Stone

• IFCII Tile Inspector

• Stone Forensics Tile and Stone Inspector

EDUCATION AND ADVANCED TECHNICAL TRAINING

College Education

• Florida Junior College | 1981–1982

• Macomb County Community College | 1984–1989

• Oakland University | 1995–1996

• Detroit College of Business | 1996–1997, Dean’s List

Specialized Flooring Training

• IICRC Inspector Certification | 1991

• AFS Sidematch Pro School | 2001

• Pergo Installation School | 2001

• NWFA Hardwood Inspector Certification | 2004

• Howard Brickman Advanced Wood Floor Training | 2007

• AFS Commercial Carpet Inspector | 2008

• NALFA Laminate Floor Certification | 2011

• ITS Resilient Flooring Training | 2015

• CTEF Ceramic Tile Installation Training | 2016

• Virginia Tech Wood Science for Hardwood Flooring | 2016

• Mohawk Hardwood Inspector Summit, Virginia | 2016

• Shaw Hard Surface Flooring Symposium, Dalton, Georgia | 2016

• IICRC Water Damage Restoration Training

• IICRC Carpet Repair Training

INDUSTRY PUBLICATIONS

The Carpet Book – Claims Guide (2010)
Author

The Ultimate Carpet Manufacturing, Inspection & Claims Training Manual (2018)
Co-author

INDUSTRY PRESENTATIONS AND EDUCATION

CCA Global Partners

Flooring America | Flooring Canada | Carpet One Floor & Home

David has been an invited presenter at multiple CCA Global Partners conventions and educational programs, providing instruction on flooring claims, consumer complaints, warranty issues, inspection practices, and technical resources for flooring retailers.

Documented scheduled presentation engagements include:

• January 5 and 7, 2015: Winter Convention, Gaylord National Resort, National Harbor, Maryland (Washington, D.C., area). Presentation: Stump the Expert: Claims and Warranties.

• July 13, 2015: Summer ConneXtion Education Day, Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas (Dallas area).

• January 11, 2023: Winter Convention Education Day, Phoenix, Arizona.

• January 15, 2024: Winter Convention Education Day, Gaylord Texan Resort, Grapevine, Texas (Dallas area).

• January 13, 2025: Winter Convention Education Day, Gaylord Palms Resort & Convention Center, Florida (Orlando area).

Additional CCA Global presentation activity dates back to at least summer 2014.

EXPERT-WITNESS AND LITIGATION CONSULTING

David has provided independent flooring inspection and technical consulting services in connection with civil litigation, arbitration, mediation, and other flooring-related disputes.

His experience includes preparing technical inspection reports, evaluating reported flooring defects and installation concerns, reviewing opposing expert findings, and providing professional opinions to attorneys and other parties involved in litigation.

He has also provided testimony in court proceedings, including remote appearances conducted by video conference.

PROFESSIONAL APPROACH

David’s objective is to provide accurate, independent, and nonbiased flooring evaluations. Findings are based on documented conditions, appropriate field testing, applicable manufacturer requirements, and recognized industry standards.

Inspection reports address the observed conditions, relevant technical findings, and conclusions supported by the available evidence.

Service Area: Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounding communities
Website: www.FloorDetective.com