Floor Finishes
Coverage 1st Year Only. Workmanship and Materials.
Carpeting
10-1-1
Observation: Carpet does not meet at the seams.
Performance Guideline: It is not unusual for carpet seams to show. However, a visible gap at the seams is considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: If the carpet was installed by The Bolster Contractor, The Bolster Contractor will eliminate visible gaps at carpet seams.
10-1-2
Observation: Carpeting loosens, or the carpet stretches.
Performance Guideline: When stretched and secured properly, wall-to-wall carpeting installed as the primary floor covering shall not come up, loosen, or separate from the points of attachment.
Corrective Measure: If the carpeting was installed by The Bolster Contractor, The Bolster Contractor will restretch or resecure the carpeting, once during the first year, as necessary to meet the guidelines.
10-1-3
Observation: Carpeting is faded or discolored.
Performance Guideline: Fading or discoloration of carpet is a manufacturer's responsibility.
Corrective Measure: No action is required of The Bolster Contractor.
Discussion: Fading or discoloration may result from the owner spilling liquids on the carpet, exposure to sunlight, or the owner's failure to properly maintain the carpet.
10-1-4
Observation: Dead spots are observed in padding areas below the carpet surface.
Performance Guideline: Carpeted areas shall have full coverage of padding consistently throughout the flooring area.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair/replace padding in the affected areas to meet the performance guidelines.
Roll Vinyl and Resilient Tile Flooring
10-2-1
Observation: Nail pops are observed on the surface of resilient flooring.
Performance Guideline: Readily visible nail pops on resilient flooring are considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the nail pops that are readily visible.
Discussion: The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace, at The Bolster Contractor's option, the resilient floor covering in the affected areas with similar materials. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for discontinued patterns or color variations when replacing the floor covering.
10-2-2
Observation: Depressions or ridges are observed in resilient flooring because of sub floor irregularities.
Performance Guideline: Readily apparent depressions or ridges exceeding 1/8-inch shall be repaired. The ridge or depression measurement is taken at the end of a 6-inch straightedge centered over the depression or ridge with 3 inches of the straightedge held tightly to the floor on one side of the affected area. Measure under the straightedge to determine the depth of the depression or height of the ridge.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will take corrective action as necessary to bring the affected area within the acceptable tolerance so that the depression or ridge is not readily visible and is not more than 1/8-inch. The Bolster Contractor will not be responsible for discontinued patterns or color variations when replacing the floor covering.
Discussion: The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for homeowner neglect or abuse or installations performed by others.
10-2-3
Observation: Resilient flooring has lost adhesion.
Performance Guideline: Resilient flooring shall not lift, bubble, or detach.
Corrective Measure: At The Bolster Contractor's option, The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace the affected resilient flooring as necessary. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for discontinued patterns or color variations when replacing the floor covering.
10-2-4
Observation: Seams or shrinkage gaps show at vinyl flooring joints.
Performance Guideline: Gaps at joints/seams in vinyl flooring shall not exceed 1/16- inch in width. Where dissimilar materials abut, the gaps shall not exceed 1/16-inch.
Corrective Measure: At The Bolster Contractor's option, The Bolster Contractor will repair or replace the vinyl flooring as necessary to meet the performance guideline. The Bolster Contractor will not be responsible for discontinued patterns or color variations when replacing the floor covering.
Discussion: Proper repair can be accomplished by sealing the gap with seam sealer.
10-2-5
Observation: Bubbles are observed on roll vinyl flooring.
Performance Guideline: Bubbles resulting from trapped air and that protrude higher than 1/16-inch from the floor is considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the floor to meet the guideline.
Discussion: The performance guideline does not apply to perimeter attached vinyl floors.
10-2-6
Observation: The patterns on roll vinyl flooring are misaligned.
Performance Guideline: Patterns at seams between adjoining pieces shall be aligned to within 1/16-inch.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will correct the flooring to meet the performance guideline.
10-2-7
Observation: A resilient floor tile is loose.
Performance Guideline: Resilient floor tiles shall be securely attached to the floor.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will attach loose resilient floor tiles securely to the floor. The old adhesive will be removed if necessary to resecure the tiles.
10-2-8
Observation: The corners or patterns of resilient floor tiles are misaligned.
Performance Guideline: The corners of adjoining resilient floor tiles shall be aligned to within 1/8-inch. Misaligned patterns are not covered unless they result from improper orientation of the floor tiles.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will correct resilient floor tiles with misaligned corners to meet the performance guideline.
10-2-9
Observation: Yellowing is observed on the surface of vinyl sheet goods after installation and before substantial completion of the project.
Performance Guideline: The Bolster Contractor shall install vinyl flooring per the manufacturer's instructions.
Corrective Measure: Yellowing resulting from a manufacturer's defect or from the owner's misuse or lack of maintenance is not covered by The Bolster Contractor.
Discussion: Some chemical compounds, such as the tar residue from a recently paved asphalt driveway, may cause a chemical reaction with the flooring material and result in permanent damage to the floor. The owner is responsible for the proper use and maintenance of the floor. Yellowing caused by the owner's improper use of or inadequate maintenance of the floor is not The Bolster Contractor's or the manufacturer's responsibility.
Wood Flooring
10-3-1
Observation: Gaps exist between strip hardwood floorboards.
Performance Guideline: Gaps between strip hardwood floorboards shall not exceed l/- inch in width at the time of installation.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair gaps that do not meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Wood floors are subject to shrinkage and swell due to seasonal variations in the humidity level of home. While boards may be installed tight together, gaps or separations may appear during heating seasons or periods of low humidity. Gaps or separations that close during non-heating seasons are not considered deficiencies. Homeowners should be familiar with the recommended care and maintenance requirements of their wood floor. Repeated wetting and drying, or wet mopping, may damage wood finishes. Dimples or scratches can be caused by moving furniture or dropping heavy objects, and certain high heel style shoes may cause indentations. These conditions are not covered by this Warranty. Relative humidity of the home can cause noticeable fluctuations in gaps between floor boards. This is a normal phenomenon in spaces that experience significant shifts in humidity. The owner is responsible for maintaining proper humidity levels in the home. Proper repair can be affected by filling the gap.
10-3-2
Observation: Strip hardwood floor boards are cupped.
Performance Guideline: Cups in strip hardwood floorboards shall not exceed 1/16-inch in height in a 3-inch maximum span measured perpendicular to the long axis of the board. Cupping caused by exposure to moisture beyond The Bolster Contractor's control is not covered.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will correct or repair cupped boards to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: The owner is responsible for proper maintenance of the floor and for maintaining proper humidity levels in the home.
10-3-3
Observation: Excessive lippage is observed at the junction of prefinished wood flooring products.
Performance Guideline: Lippage greater than 1/16-inch is considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair lippage in the affected areas to meet the performance guideline
10-3-4
Observation: Voids ("holidays") are observed in the floor finish.
Performance Guideline: Voids that are readily visible from a distance of 6 feet under normal lighting conditions are considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the floor finish in the affected area(s) to meet the performance guideline.
10-3-5
Observation: The top coating on hardwood flooring has peeled.
Performance Guideline: Field-applied coating shall not peel during normal usage. Prefinished coatings are the manufacturer's responsibility.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall refinish any field-applied finishes that have peeled.
Discussion: The owner should contact the manufacturer regarding factory-applied finishes that have peeled.
10-3-6
Observation: Strip flooring has crowned.
Performance Guideline: Crowning in strip flooring shall not exceed 1/16-inch in depth in a -inch maximum span when measured perpendicular to the long axis of the board.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the affected area to meet the performance guideline.
10-3-7
Observation: Hardwood flooring has buckled from the substrate.
Performance Guideline: Hardwood floor should not become loose from the substrate.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair the affected area to meet the performance guideline.
10-3-8
Observation: Unacceptable knots and color variations are observed in strip hardwood flooring.
Performance Guideline: The Bolster Contractor will install the grade of hardwood specified for the project. All wood should be consistent with the grading stamp as specified.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall replace any improperly graded wood.
Discussion: Hardwood is a natural product and consequently can be expected to exhibit variations in color, grain, and stain acceptance.
10-3-9
Observation: Slivers or splinters are observed in strip flooring.
Performance Guideline: Slivers or splinters that occur during the installation of the flooring are considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair flooring in the affected areas to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Slivers or splinters that occur during installation can be shaved and the area filled prior to sanding and finishing.
10-3-10
Observation: "Sticker bum" is observed on the surface of strip flooring.
Performance Guideline: Discoloration from stacking strips in hardwood flooring is considered unacceptable in certain grades of flooring.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor shall repair or replace areas with sticker bum if they are not permitted in the grade of wood specified for the project.
Tile, Brick, Marble, and Stone Flooring
10-4-1
Observation: Tile, brick, marble, or stone flooring is broken or loosened.
Performance Guideline: Tile, brick, marble, and stone flooring shall not be broken or loose.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will replace broken tiles, bricks, marble, and stone flooring, and resecure loose tiles, bricks, marble, and stone, unless the flooring was damaged by the owner's actions or negligence. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for discontinued patterns or color variations when replacing tile, brick, marble, or stone flooring.
10-4-2
Observation: Cracks are observed in the grouting of tile joints or at the junctures with other materials, such as a bathtub.
Performance Guideline: Cracks in grouting of ceramic tile joints commonly result from normal shrinkage conditions. Cracks that result in loose tiles or gaps in excess of 1/16- inch shall be repaired.
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair grouting, if necessary, one time only. The Bolster Contractor is not responsible for color variations or discontinued colored grout. The owner is responsible for regrouting these joints after The Bolster Contractor's one-time repair.
Discussion: The use of an elastic substance at junctures between tile and other materials is often more effective than grout.
10-4-3
Observation: There is excessive lippage at adjoining marble or ceramic tile.
Performance Guideline: Lippage greater than 1/16-inch is considered unacceptable, except where the materials are designed with an irregular height (such as hand-made tile).
Corrective Measure: The Bolster Contractor will repair lippage in the affected areas to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: Lippage is the vertical distance between floor tiles or marble tiles at the point where they abut one another.
10-4-4
Observation: A grout or mortar joint is not a uniform color.
Performance Guideline: After the grout has cured, any color variation that is readily visible from a distance of 6 feet under normal lighting conditions is considered unacceptable.
Corrective Measure: One time only, The Bolster Contractor will repair the joint to meet the performance guideline.
Discussion: When grout repairs are done a perfect match between the original grout and new grout cannot be expected. The Bolster Contractor is not required to re-grout an entire floor, wall or room.