Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: wayne zabel on April 07, 2011, 10:03:01 pm
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3 weeks ago I cleaned some upholstery,got a call from the customer saying they were delighted BUT they had noticed 3 planks of laminate flooring had lifted ever so slightly.
These planks were in the middle of the room to make matters worse.
I had sheeted up but obviously some moisture had got through to a part of the laminate.
I went round the following day to view the floor and told the client that I would put it through my insurance.He told me that he would be happy just having the 3 planks replaced and he thought it would be feasable to do this.That way you wont have to go through your insurance he said.
I contacted a flooring person who viewed the property with me and he said this could be done by removing part of the flooring and replacing the damaged planks with some spares that the customer had left over.
To cut a long story short the flooring was done today and the guy has made a right balls of it and damaged more pieces by bad workmandship.I now have unsatisfied clients who want their flooring put right.To make matters worse the floor layer has damaged a door in the course of his actions.
I have been round tonight and had a look at the problem and although at first glance it doesnt look too bad its not perfect.
I havent heard from the floor layer as I expected to so I havent paid him anything.
I think the best bet would be to put through the insurance but Im now concerned that as we have tampered with the floor they may be a way of them saying the claim is void.That said there are still water damaged planks in the floor as the floor layer must be a little blind and put one back in whilst doing the job.Any ideas whether the insurance might take this stance.
The floor layer is supposed to be going back to look at the job tomorrow and I have told the client to call me and we can take the matter further.
Any advice please - I think its red wine time
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how much water do you think you over sprayed on to the flooring while pre-spraying? What type of hand tool do you have? I find it hard to beleive that you wetted the floor that much to cause that reaction to the laminate. Do these customers look like chancers?? are they Asian?
Anyways, I wouldn't pay the layer that you use unles he puts it right (if he is able too!) Might be an idea to get another guy in. Maybe a recommendation. Or even better, get the customer to sort out a layer and you'll pay. This way, if its layer at fault with shody workmenship then its the cutomers problem to chase him up.
I dont think its worth going through your insurance when its a straightforward fix with the right tradesmen.
What damage has been casued to the door?
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I'd ask the floor layer to come and look, then ask him to fix it or what his insurance is like! He's caused more damage and HE should of been professional enough to either sort it or suggest to you to claim on your insuarance. Explain this to your insurance company (fibbing is not an option really as your client will drop you right in it) The reason you have not heard from him is because he knows it's not good.
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Customers arent chancers or asian ;)
They are being fine to me as they know Im trying to get the problem sorted and Im doing things the right way,the client himself is self employed doing bathrooms and tiling so he knows the pitfalls.
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If the floor layer has screwed it up it's his problem, simple as!
But more to the point, can you really damage laminate from having a wet sheet on it?!! You have to get laminate REALLY wet to cause damage. Sounds like you might have unwittingly taken ownership of a problem which isn't yours :(
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I'm paranoid about this. If there is laminate with any damage or peaking I point it out to the custy and take a picture of it before I put a waterproof sheet and an absorbant dust sheet down.
I have some laminate that was especially for bathrooms and kitchens. I was drying a rug on it once and the dampness opened it up!
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^^ fat boy replyed while i was typing ;D
When doing a job you should get in to the habbit on pointing out damaged parts of what ever your cleaning. if doing carpets for example, pulled rows, burns, dye staining, reverse pile etc
On sofa, ANY ISSUES WITH FLOORING!, torn fabric, missing buttons, broken zips etc
You do this on the survey i.e. before you take your gear out of your van. You do this in a chatty way with the customers, showing of your knowledge of fabrics and explain to them the cleaning process.
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well this will make you all chuckle .
About 2 years ago i cleaned a 3 seater sofa . job went well considering it was a real minger took some before and after pictures. about 7 months later phone rings is that Richard the lady says yes i said . starts on about how i have made her laminate floor bubble. Just remind me of your surname address i said and when did i do some work for you and what was it trying to remember . she was ranting for flipping ages even gave me time to look on my cleanersmate then thought to myself it was carpet i sheeted down on eh sware i took some photos bingo on the computer ha ha ha . Then whilst mainly ignoring her rants i said although its been some time ago and i find it hard to believe its got anything to do with me may i come over and take a look for you.
well i went over and had a look basically took a look yes she had some water damage . then i said when did i clean your sofa back last may she said then i said when did you lay the laminate just before you cleaned she said then i paused tried to contain my laughter and look serious pulled out my lovely enlarged a4 printed photo of her carpeted room with the sofa ( which she still had )
Her face was a picture . then she even tried telling me she had put carpet over the laminate after she had told me when she put the laminate down BORN CHANCER then she said very quietly think you better leave.
funny never heard another squeak from her LOL
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Well done Rich i hate these type of people and wonder if there is anyone we can report them to as this is a con/fraud by my reckoning mate.Regards Alan(swindon)
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haha liked that one hahahahahah
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I have a laminate floor and some time last
year whilst about to mop it M in L knocked
and walked right in and knocked a full mop
bucket of water over it.
Just mopped it all up and 9 months down
line it's still fine.
It's designed to withstand water.
John
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Another reason i am glad i now have the Saphire upholstery took, absolutely no overspray, it could easily have happened to me with the old upholstery tool i was using :-[
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I'm guessing the problem might have been pre-spraying the cushions which were placed directly on the sheets?
I used to work like that and yes you need a waterproof tarpaulin because your sheets will be soaked through. But even so, such a short contact time and relatively small amount of moisture shouldn't have knackered a laminate floor.
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Im sure it was i that caused the problem with overspray,the tool I had at the time wasnt the best for avoiding overspray.I noticed the tarpaulin felt quite damp when packing up.I looked at the floor and it seemed OK but I think these things happen over a few hours if moisture had got in the cracks.
The client called me today to say that the floor layer had been round to see the problem and was full of guilt and remorse and admitted he made a town halls of the job.I havent heard from him asking for payment so Im hoping hes going to put the matter right his self.
I will never clean upholstery again near laminate without putting waterproof plastic sheeting down.
I just hope the matter is resolved soon.
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Im sure it was i that caused the problem with overspray,the tool I had at the time wasnt the best for avoiding overspray.
Fair enough you're admitting to it, personally I still think there was something strange going on because you'd need to be soaking the stuff for some considerable time before any damage could be done.
I think you missed a chance when going back there to see it, because I would have taken one of the spare pieces away with me and carried out some tests to see if it was possible (and with how much liquid) to cause damage.
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Maybe time to get a really good hand tool mate and its a lesson learnt..its awkward cleaning when there is anytype of hard floor and am always cautious.
Some of the posts could be right mate and i wouldnt admit guilt.
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feck them there taking the p... think that claim is a joke
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The quality of laminate does vary considerably, there are water resistant products and some joints seal better than others but there are a lot of products out there that will swell on the joints with the slightest amount of moisture. I had an instance a few years ago where I had to replace some boards after one of my employees was a little enthusiastic with the fabric prespray it does happen laminate is mdf and it is like a sponge. Do not always be blaming the customers you have to be aware of the problem and act accordingly.
Peter
www.carpetcleanercardiff.com (http://www.carpetcleanercardiff.com)
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Are you sure it's laminate, could be something like amtico which would lift easier and with a lot less water than laminate would.
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get yourself a small plastic picnic table, around 3ft square and use that to pre-spray the cushions on. have 2 or 3 old bed sheets or similar, use one to have on the table when pre-spraying and use a separate one for extraction. they get wet rather than the floor sheet getting soaked and it looks more professional and it is good for your back!
the table i have the legs clip on so it folds to nothing and slips into the side of the van easily,
colin ;)
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something like this would be great,
http://www.focusdiy.co.uk/dispatcher?quickLiveProductCode=254191PRD
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We had a company (structureflex) near us that made curtains for the side of trucks,I got them to make up a 13 x 12 sheet which folds nicely. It's over 15 years old now and no chance of moisture getting through that. I then place blankets on that to absorb spills etc. I also use a folding table covered with a blanket for cushions etc
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To cut a long story short,I intend to now put this through my insurance - BUT - seeing as I have unscessfully attempted to sort the problem myself do you think the insurance could be void.
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It's your insurance and will cover you for damage that you have done. Damage caused by the floor layer will not be covered as he should have his own insurance. The fact that he was trying to fix your problem is not important. Do you have photo's etc and you will need to detail exactly what you did. Can't see a problem myself my concern is additional damage caused by the floor layer. I'd discuss this with insurance first then go from there.
Good luck.
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Are you sure it's laminate, could be something like amtico which would lift easier and with a lot less water than laminate would.
Amtico is much more resilient than Laminate and would not lift with water on it and if it was Amtico he would be looking at ten times the cost to replace.
I suspect it was a cheap laminate from somewhere like B & Q it would lift at the joins if water got in to it, it has probably cleaned countles times with a mop before you got there and you were just unlucky. The corners if lifting can be dangerous especially to small children and pets, sliced paws just adds to the problem and cost.
However it's not the customers fault and it has to be put right, first stop insurance and then go after Roy Rodgers of a 'floor layer' who you employed.
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To cut a long story short,I intend to now put this through my insurance - BUT - seeing as I have unscessfully attempted to sort the problem myself do you think the insurance could be void.
What is the size of your insurance excess? With our business it is usually £500, so may be cheaper to sort it out privately and don't forget if you claim your premiums will rise next year.
Dave.