Floor Inspection (Types, Process, Advantages)

Beyond the surface beauty lies structural integrity that can only be assessed through an extensive inspection. Keep reading to see what a floor inspection covers, and how it empowers you to make informed decisions about maintaining, selling, or buying property.

What Is a Floor Inspection?

Floor inspections thoroughly examine a floor's structure, components, and condition. They are more than a simple visual assessment; and involve identifying potential issues, estimating their severity, and providing recommendations for repairs or replacements.

The goal is to determine the floor's safety, longevity, and overall value, whether in a new construction, an existing home, or a commercial building.

Different Types of Floor Inspections

Floor inspections can be categorized based on the context and scope:

What Does Floor Inspection Services Cover?

Since it is an in-depth assessment, these inspections cover all the key aspects of flooring, including:

• Structural Integrity: Inspectors check the subfloor, joists, and beams for signs of rot, pests (like termites or carpenter ants, which is a serious concern in some regions of Canada), sagging, imbalance, and other damages in the supporting structure.
• Surface Condition: They also assess the flooring material itself whether it's hardwood, laminate, vinyl, tile, etc. Inspectors look for gaps, cracks, scratches, water damage, loose planks, delamination, and issues with the finish.
• Moisture Content: Checking the moisture content of the subfloor and flooring material is an important part of floor inspection, as it can lead to rot, mold, and structural failure. Inspectors use moisture meters to check this factor and make sure the readings don’t exceed the standards
• Levelness: The floor must be completely level and flat, or problems with doors and appliances and even the structural integrity of the building over time will await you. This is also on the list and the inspector will examine it.
• Underlayment (If Applicable): For materials like hardwood or laminate, the underlayment is essential for performance and longevity. It will be inspected for damage, proper installation, and moisture issues. (Read more about floor underlayment here)

What Are the Advantages of Floor Inspection?

Flooring is an investment that acts as a first impression and provides comfort for people in the house.

If you’re a buyer, the inspection helps you identify issues before committing to the purchase. It can also give you a leverage when negotiating. And if you’re a seller, you can take advantage of the inspection report to address significant issues to make a quick, transparent, and dispute-free transaction.

Homeowners can benefit from floor inspection too by using its findings for preventative maintenance, extending the flooring lifespan, finding and eliminating the root cause of issues, and supporting possible insurance claims.

Looking for reliable floor inspection services in Canada? Houmse connects you to certified floor inspectors who are ready to help homeowners, contractors, builders, insurance companies, etc. Submit your request now, get free quotations, and hire the best professionals near you.