Hurricane Ike left his mark, alright, and not the kind many of us want to remember. Even the Schenck Company showroom experienced minor flooding, despite my efforts to clear debris from the storm drain on North Main Street in front of our building. Thanks for the many phone calls from our friends who saw this photo in the Houston Chronicle or on one of many Ike-related web sites. It was taken by AP/Houston Chronicle photographer, Smiley N. Pool.
In the wake of Ike, we're receiving many inquiries about repairing floors damaged by water. The truth is, many of the floors we are looking at that are slightly cupped will flatten on their own, given sufficient time.
Right now your floors may look swollen and uneven. That's due to a phenomenon called "cupping" which is explained in detail in the Damaged Floors section of our web site. Under normal conditions, your wood floors should dry completely within three to twelve months, depending on how wet they are. The drying process can be accelerated by the use fans and dehumidifiers. As the floor dries, the cupping subsides and it is possible that your floors may require nothing more than a good cleaning.
True, waiting for your wood floor to dry requires patience. Yet that patience will hopefully pay off in the long run when your floors can be restored to their original condition with minimal inconvenience.
Greg Schenck
October 2008
I can’t remember who said “You’re never too old to learn” but it’s certainly true. I’ve been in the business for many years yet every time I attend the National Wood Flooring Association’s Education Conference, as I did this Spring, I learn something new.
This year, as you might expect, there was a lot of information on green products and tools. I even attended a breakout session on the subject, where I gained knowledge that will benefit me, my customers and, of course, the environment.
My favorite part of the conference though was the Expo, as it usually is. I was impressed with several innovative products. More importantly, I was inspired by some of the artisans whose work was on display. It was fascinating to the variety of wood combinations in use and the unusual patterns the artists have created.
After the conference, I reflected on my experience and made a commitment to myself: I will always continue to learn, I will forever remain a student. As I witnessed at the NWFA Conference & Expo, new ideas are out there, I just have to keep my mind open enough to find them.
Greg Schenck
June 2008