Mike
Urban Certified Flooring Inspection
Credentials
- National
Wood Floor Association Certified Professional Inspector, NWFA
License #CP224808.
- North
American Laminate Flooring Association Certified Inspector
NALFA
- IICRC
Senior Carpet Inspector License # 2643.
- FCITS
Hard Surface Inspector.
- FCITS
Commercial Carpet Inspector.
- WFCA
World Floor Covering Association Certified
Professional.
Certified
Professional Wood Flooring Inspector (NWFACP)
The NWFA is recognized as the hardwood flooring industry’s
watchdog and is highly regarded by wood flooring professionals
throughout North America. Many domestic and foreign wood
flooring manufacturers and suppliers are also members of this
association.
The NWFA encompasses all sectors of the wood flooring
industry and provides the standards and guidelines that are
recommended for manufacturers, distributors, installers, sanders
and finishers. These standards and guidelines are the
industry benchmarks for the proper manufacturing, installation and
maintenance of wood floors.
- Mike Urban is a
highly trained and recognized as a professional NWFA Certified Wood
Floor Inspector.
- NWFA Certified
Wood Floor Inspector License #CP224808 is current and registered by
the NWFA.
- Mike Urban
Certified NWFA inspection reports and inspection techniques are
focused on in-depth validation of facts, principals, knowledge and
integrity.
- NWFA Certified
Wood Floor inspections include: Solid Wood, Engineered Wood, and
Laminate flooring.
- NWFA
Installation Guidelines and Technical Publications are the worlds
wood flooring recognized reference.
NWFA Certified
Wood Flooring Inspector Essentials and Skills
- Knowledge and
ability to gather facts.
- Assemble
evidence and claim history.
- Trained
knowledge of the professional digital measuring instruments
.
- Advanced photo
documentation.
- Reference
correctly to NWFA or Manufacturers Specified
Guidelines.
- Reach the right
conclusion.
- Generate a
detailed and accurate inspection report.
- Myriad of
flooring inspections analyzed, solved, and expertly
documented.
NWFA
Technical and Compliance
- NWFA Report
Writing School Certification of technical report writing and
documentation.
- Completed
classroom study, written examinations, and case scenario
requirements for Professional Certification and
License.
- Completed wood
flooring inspections and technical report writing "compliance"
reports for NWFA Certified Professionals, Inc.
North American Laminate Flooring Association
(NALFA)
- Mike Urban is a
highly trained NALFA Certified Inspector.
- This
certification increases the inspector's credibility in laminate
flooring inspections.
- Certified
inspectors are listed on the NALFA Certified Inspector
website.
- Certified
inspectors are privileged to access technical support services of
NALFA.
- NALFA Certified
inspectors are updated on technical innovations in laminate
flooring.
2008:
NWFACP
Accreditation for NWFA Certified Inspector
- Completed
mandatory one year probation provisional wood flooring inspector
and consultant.
- Earned CERTIFIED
PROFESSIONAL NWFA Wood Flooring Inspector
Certification.
- Issued in June
of 2008 from the NWFA National Headquarters in St. Louis,
MO.
- NWFA
Professional License # CP224808.
2008:
NWFA Wood
Basics School
Completed a
second course study for Certified Professional Wood Flooring
Inspectors at NWFA national headquarters in greater St. Louis, MO.
School studies entailed:
- Job Site
Conditions
- Proper Handling
and Storage
- Site
Preparation
- Subfloor
Requirements
- Wood
Technology
- Sanding and
Finishing
- Environmental
Information
- Trouble
Shooting
- Moisture
Testing
- Referencing
Installation Guidelines
- Manufacturers
Specifications
2011:
North
Carolina State University
Department of
Forest Biomaterials Wood Products Extension / Dr. Phil Mitchell,
Dr. David Tilotta
Completed
the Wood Flooring Education Guild four
day workshops under the direction of:
Dr. David
Tilotta, , NC State University.
Dr. Phil
Mitchell, Department of Forest Biomaterials, NC State
University.
Howard Brinkman,
MBA University of Massachusetts.
Students were
taught and examined in mechanics, discovery and disclosure
techniques of Moisture Migration and Movement in Homes, Wood and
Wood Flooring Exposed to Moisture. The Basics of Wood Shrinkage,
and Advanced Wood Shrinkage. Strong emphasis was placed on, but not
limited to, the following studies:
- Psychometrics
and Wood Moisture
- Application of
Psychrometrics
- Calculating
Moisture Content
- Strategies for
Moving Air in Heating/Cooling Climates
- Equilibrium
Moisture Content (EMC) and its affect
- Sources of
Moisture in the Home
- The Role of Heat
Transfer
- Mold in the
Home
- Theoretical
Development of (Restrained) Shrinkage Stresses in Wood
- Restrained
Shrinkage and Swelling in Wood
- Moisture
Gradients in Drying Wood
- Moisture Change
and Stress Damage to Wood
- Strategies for
Controlling Moisture in Homes
- Effects of
Shrinkage on Wood and Engineered Wood Flooring
2011:
NALFA
/ North American Laminate Flooring Association Inspector
Certification. Completed classroom studies
and successfully passed the Laminated Flooring Products Inspector
Certification Examination. Mike Urban certified by the NALFA to
professionally inspect engineered and laminated flooring
products.
2011:
Wood
University
Completed NWFA
accredited course study in Engineered Wood Basics. Study in
underlayment plywood, understanding wood products, characteristics,
standards, system applications, I-joist applications, and
structural joist systems in homes.
2012:
School of
Surface Technology
Completed NWFA
accredited course study in Sanding and Finishing. Studies in
finish types, applying finish requirements, staining and finish
problems, sanding and screening, sanding sequences, sanding
problems and causes.
2012:
NWFA
Intermediate Sand and Finish School
Completion of
the NWFA certified course at the NWFA National Headquarters
in greater St. Louis, MO.
School studies
entailing hands-on techniques of subfloor preparation,
advancement in sanding of wood flooring, and the proper application
of sealers and finishes.
2013:
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State
University,
Department of Sustainable Biomaterials Professors:
Dr. Joseph R Loferski, Dr. Brian Bond, Dr. Daniel P.
Hindman
Introduction to Wood Science and Wood Properties
Introduction to Engineered Wood Properties
Studies
in Solid
Wood Science
This study includes, but is not limited to:
- Wood
anatomy
- Wood
terminology
- Wood
properties related to longitudinal, tangential and
radial
- Microscopic
identification of wood species using state of the art
microscopes
- Microscopic
details of wood species, thickness of cell walls, arrangement of
cells, cell types, resinous cell canals and distribution,
non-resinous (color, smell, texture and transition)
- Calculations
and Formulas for reaching moisture content and
conclusions
Engineered Wood Properties
The purpose of this study is to develop the student's understanding
of wood composites and engineered floor products, and how they
perform under various controlled and uncontrolled
conditions.
Moisture
Testing Techniques
The study teaches proper use and handling of moisture testing
equipment. Included is hands-on use of various types of moisture
meters by manufacturers, testing known and unknown wood for
moisture content of different species and cell
arrangements.
Calculations
and Formulas
Included in this study are calculations and formulas students use
in calculating board shrinkage and swelling, moisture change in
pounds of water gained per percent (%) increase in moisture
content, and formulas used in calculating moisture increase
(gallons per board foot/square foot, and per 1,000 board
feet/square feet).
Virginia
Tech University Engineering Laboratory
The VT School of Engineering laboratory is recognized as one of the
finest in the world. It is fitted with the best wood testing
equipment, which includes "Janka Hardness Test" equipment. Students
are taught how solid wood species of various dimensions are tested
for hardness, bending moment, wood failure under compression and
tension using various equipment, methods and
techniques.
- Introduction to
Wood Science for Flooring Inspectors
- Moisture Change
and Stress Damage to Wood from Shrinkage and Swelling
- Engineered Wood
Structure and Properties
- Water and Wood
Interactions
- Causes of
Cracks, Splits, and Checking in Wood
- Moisture Sources
in Homes and Buildings
- Drying Processes
and Drying Defects
- Driving Forces
of Moisture
- Subfloors and
Vapor Barrieres
- Wood Floor
Equilibrium Moisture Content
- Wood Floor
Testing Needs and Variability
- Proper Moisture
Meter Testing and Accurate Data Retrieval
2014:
NWFA
Technical Manual Committee Publication: Problem-Causes And
Cures Technical Study C200
In-depth
and comprehensive Nwfa certified study workshop of flooring
inspection and proper determination of flooring
problems. Taught by Nwfa certified
installation instructors and manufacturers technical department
professionals.
This study
includes, but is not limited to:
- Exterior and Interior
Jobsite Evaluation.
- History of the wood
flooring.
- Determining the
problem.
- Discovery
protocol.
- Claim discovery of site
related problems, flooring inadequacies, and real life claim
troubleshooting.
- Claim study of jobsite
problems: buckling, checks, compression set, crowning, cupping,
delamination, dents, end-lifting, face-checking, flooded floors,
normal gaps, abnormal gaps, panelization, shack, sanding marks, and
more...
- Claim study of jobsite
finish problems: applicator streaks, bleed back bubbles, chipping,
cloudy finish, cratering, crawling, discoloration, early finish
wear, orange peel, grain raise, sidebonding, stains, uneven sheen
levels, and more...
- Finding the
cause.
- Documenting the
inspection.
2014 Hanley
Wood University Studies
- Certificate of Completion
The Makings of a Great Subfloor
- Certificate of Completion
Managing Concrete Subfloor Moisture With Wood
Flooring
- Certificate of Completion
Moisture Testing of Concrete Floor Slabs
2014:
NWFA
Inspectors Symposium and Exposition, Nashville
Tennessee.
-
Relative humidity in the
Home
-
Industry and ASTM
Standards
-
Dimensional change
coefficients
-
The role of the professional
consultant
-
Wood species
identification
-
Wood inspection
scenarios
-
Environmental effects on wood flooring
-
Legal responsibilities of the
inspector
2015:
NWFA
Inspectors Symposium and Exposition, St Louis,
Missouri.
- Inspecting process of collecting data in an
unbiased manner
- Supporting the final conclusion / cause with
facts
- New Construction claims / expansion and
shrinkage of wood systems
- Fastener Types and
performance
- Understanding Legal Issues with conducting the
inspection
- Sound Control Systems and potential areas of
concern
- Concrete crack isolation and sound
control
2016
Bona
Sand and Finish School with Certification of
Completion
- Explaining and Understanding Homeowner
Expectations
- Bona Adhesive Systems and Abrasive
Systems
- Bona Sanding Guidelines - Screen, Disc or
Pad
- Bona Sanding Equipment - Multi Disk, Edgers, and
Dust Containment
- Bona Staining and Finishing
Systems
- Jobsite Preparation
- Finish Applicators and application
rates
- Bona Waterborne / Oil-Modified
Systems
- Bona DriFast Sealers
- Bona Maintenance and Home Care
Systems
- Bona Prep and Recoat Systems
- 12 Commandments of Hardwood Floor
Finishing
2016
NWFA
Concrete Preparation for Wood Floors School / Mike Dittmer NWFA
Regional Instructor
- Concrete Slab Construction
- ACI standards for vapor barrier under
concrete
- Moisture Testing of Concrete
- Grinding and Contamination
Removal
- ASTMF 2170 In situ relative moisture testing
procedures.
- Moisture control and vapor containment
systems
2016
Mohawk
Inspectors Summit / Invitation Only
- Mohawk Vendor Compliance
Program
- Understanding Wood Checks and
Splits
- Rotary Peel and Slice Cut
Veneers
- Engineered Cross Ply ConstructionnFormation Due
to Dimensional Changes
- Wood Texturing: Wirebrushing, Sandblasted, Saw
Marks, Hand Scraping
- Uniclic Locking Systems
- Understanding Moisture and Moisture
Testing
- Floating Subfloor Systems over
Concrete
Litigation
Support Services
Your
best chance
- Of
winning in a court of law is 50%.
- Of
hiring the right Expert Witness is 33%.
- Of
winning without an Expert Witness is 8%.
- Of
winning with an Expert Witness is 93%.
- Of
hiring the right attorney is 60%.
- Of
winning with any attorney is 50%; excluding Matlock and Perry
Mason.
Source: Professional
Expert Witness Forum 2010
1986 to 2010 IICRC and FCITS
Carpet - Vinyl - LVT - VCT - Wood - Litigation Support
Services
Certifications
- IICRC Senior
Carpet Inspector
- IICRC Regional
Supervisor
- IICRC Master
Textile cleaner
- FCITS Carpet
Inspector
- FCITS Hard
Surface Inspector
- FCITS Woven
Inspector
- Carpet Cleaning
Technician
- Journeyman
Textile Cleaner
- Water
Restoration /Damage Technician
- Color Repair
Technician
- Fire and Smoke
Restoration Technician
- Upholstery and
Fabric Cleaning Technician
- Odor Control
Technician
- Carpet Reburling
Training
- Carpet repairs
Technician
- Spot Cleaning
Technician
- Spot Dyeing
Technician
Educational and Industry Seminars and Certificates:
Clean Care
Seminars
- Advanced
On-Location Carpet Cleaning
- Installation and
Repair of Carpeting
- Flood Damage
Restoration of Carpeting
- Owner / Manager
Training
I,
Mike Urban Wood Flooring Inspections am a Certified Wood Flooring
Inspector licensed by National Wood Flooring Association Certified
Professionals Inc. (NWFACP) a division of the National Wood
Flooring Association (NWFA) of Chesterfield Missouri. As such, I am
qualified to provide impartial third party inspections of any and
all issues associated with solid wood, engineered wood and laminate
flooring.
I
have 30 years of professional experience in the flooring industry,
having worked for manufacturers, distributors, and retailers in
various capacities. I am an active member of the NWFACP and have
completed all qualifying courses. As a result of this training I
have a firm understanding of wood floor characteristics,
performance, and installation guidelines.
As a
licensed inspector with NWFA, I am bound, without reservation, by
their Standards of Professional Conduct. As part of this
standard, I am obligated to inspect wood floors responsibly and in
an unbiased manner and to draw my conclusions based on testing,
observation and related industry standards.
This
report is based exclusively on facts surrounding the issues that I
was commissioned to inspect. This report will give reference to
relevant industry standards published by, but not limited to NWFA
and/or manufacturer’s instructions and guidelines. This report will
reveal all of the material facts but will not contain personal
opinions of myself or any other party. As an independent third
party I cannot be held accountable for any false data provided to
me by the commissioning party or by any other
source.
About the
NWFA:
The
NWFA is recognized as the hardwood flooring industry’s watchdog and
is highly regarded by wood flooring professionals throughout North
America. Many domestic and foreign wood flooring manufacturers and
suppliers are also members of this association. The NWFA
encompasses all sectors of the wood flooring industry and provides
the standards and guidelines that are recommended for
manufacturers, distributors, installers, sanders and
finishers. These standards and guidelines are the industry
benchmarks for the proper manufacturing, installation, and
sustaining performance of wood floors.
