Diamond Wood Floors

On-the-job Training

• General Health & Safety
  • Execute OSHA practices on the jobsite.
  • Demonstrate proper knowledge of First Aid & CPR
  • Identify fire exits, proper use of fire extinguishers and potential hazards on each job.
• Installation Safety
  • Demonstrate and practice maintaining physical fitness and stretches directly related to the wood flooring industry
  • Wear, inspect and maintain proper clothing and PPE needed for installation safety including safety glasses, earplugs, dust masks/respirators, kneepads, etc.
  • Demonstrate proper usage and maintenance of installation tools including, but not limited to hand tools, table saw, circular saw, miter saw, router and pneumatics, etc.
• Evaluating the Jobsite
  • Use jobsite checklist to evaluate the jobsite and document all findings. Evaluate all exterior items on checklist and explain findings to customer.
  • Evaluate all structural items of the home/building including, but not limited to foundation, slab, elevated slabs, crawlspace and basement.
  • Explain findings to customer.
  • Evaluate joist span and compare with NWFA guideline requirements.
  • Articulate findings of jobsite checklist, suggested fixes and how they affect installation to customer/client.
• Environmental Conditions
  • Demonstrate usage of jobsite checklist to evaluate the environmental conditions of the home/building.
  • Determine type of heating and cooling systems being used, regularity and running schedules.
  • Evaluate temperature and relative humidity of environment and compare with EMC chart.
  • Educate customer on conditions of home/building and those needed for successful installation of wood flooring.
• Wood Subfloors
  • Evaluate and determine the condition of the wood subfloor.
  • Know the difference between plywood and OSB and the requirements for each.
  • Understand and execute APA installation standards for wood subfloors.
  • Understand, evaluate, execute and maintain flatness requirements for wood subfloors.
• Concrete Subfloors
  • Evaluate concrete subfloors
  • Understand the age of concrete and its role in the evaluation process.
  • Identify and assess different types of concrete subfloors.
  • Evaluate blemishes in concrete subfloor and address fixes through removing contaminants, crack repairs, spot repairs, and scarification.
  • Evaluate flatness requirements.
  • Demonstrate use of self-levelers.
  • Perform grinding on high spots.
  • Demonstrate the use of jobsite checklist when evaluating concrete subfloors. Assess findings and provide solutions for jobsite preparation.
• Moisture and Wood
  • Understand the anatomy of the tree and how it affects the installation and performance of wood.
  • Understand the cuts of wood and how they affect appearance, installation and performance of wood.
  • Understanding Water & Wood.
  • Understand the relationship of water and wood and how it affects the installation process.
  • Demonstrate knowledge through evaluating and assessing environmental conditions of the jobsite.
  • Conduct moisture readings of wood subfloor and wood product.
  • Demonstrate acclimation/conditioning practices on the jobsite and communicate the importance/significance to client.
• Moisture Testing (Wood)
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of wood moisture meters including, but not limited to pin meters, pinless meters and insulated pins.
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of thermos-hygrometers.
• Moisture Control (Wood)
  • Differentiate between types of vapor retarders and understand use cases.
  • Select proper vapor retarder to be used with wood substrate. Properly install vapor retarder using manufacturer guidelines
• Moisture Testing (Concrete)
  • Demonstrate proper usage, assessment of results and maintenance of concrete moisture testing methods including, but not limited to calcium chloride, in-situ RH probe, scan meters and plastic and tape test.
  • Document moisture readings.
  • Comply to manufacturer guidelines for moisture meters, moisture tests and wood.
  • Evaluate results and propose solutions for all moisture readings.
  • Differentiate between types of vapor retarders and understand use cases.
  • Select proper vapor retarder to be used over concrete substrate. Properly install vapor retarder using manufacturer guidelines.
• Alternative Subfloor Systems Over Concrete
  • Evaluate and determine type of concrete subfloor before installation.
  • Use proper vapor retarder applicable to subfloor type.
  • Follow NWFA guidelines for installation techniques on concrete subfloors.
• Layout
  • Build a usable trammel point.
  • Use trammel point to develop center layout.
  • Follow steps
  • Use Pythagorean theory to check accuracy of measurements.
  • Transfer layout to hallway and additional rooms.
  • Conduct wall layout using trammel points.
  • Determine starter rows.
  • Demonstrate proper usage of slip tongue and spline to reverse directions.
• Installation Methods - Nail Down
  • Demonstrate proper technique for racking.
  • Demonstrate and execute understanding of proper nailing schedule by complying to NWFA guidelines.
  • Identify and use appropriate fasteners for type of wood and subfloor.
  • Differentiate techniques of solid and engineered nail down installation and execute proper techniques for each.
  • Display proper technique, usage, safety and maintenance of nailing tools including, but not limited to pneumatic nailers, staplers and air compressors.
• Installation Methods - Glue Down
  • Differentiate between types of adhesives and understand when to use different types.
  • Read and comply with manufacturer guidelines of adhesive and wood.
  • Demonstrate proper trowel selection for different types of adhesives, wood and subfloors and comply with manufacturer guidelines.
  • Demonstrate proper usage of trowel and coverage rates for adhesives.
  • Safely clean adhesive from tools, wood and jobsite.
• Installation Methods - Floating
  • Execute proper installation techniques for floating floors.
  • Determine and install proper underlayment pads/systems.
  • Evaluate and determine appropriate sound control systems.
• Installation Methods - Existing Floors
  • Determine layout for new floor to existing.
  • Display proper techniques used for lacing in/out of an existing floor.
  • Evaluate existing floor.
  • Determine requirements for elevation differences, crooked floors, and other challenges.
  • Execute installation techniques to address each challenge.
  • Evaluate remodels. Assess for damage of current floors and lead testing.
  • Address new installation according to results.
• Installation Methods - Cork, Bamboo & End Grain
  • Understand cork.
  • Learn differences in installation methods, and finishing techniques.
  • Understand bamboo.
  • Understand end grain flooring.
• Installation Methods - Herringbone/Parquet
  • Demonstrate and execute proper and accurate herringbone layout using trammel points, Pythagorean theory, center layout and backer boards.
  • Designing and creating patterns by using templates, jigs and sleds.
  • Determining accurate measurements for ordering product.
  • Identification of compatible species from a technical and aesthetic perspective.
  • Execute proper installation of herringbone layout.
  • Demonstrate and execute proper and accurate parquet layout using trammel points, Pythagorean theory, center layout and backer boards.
  • Execute proper installation of parquet layout.
• Installation Methods - Borders & Medallions
  • Measure and determine proper layout for designing and installing borders.
  • Measure cut and install borders.
  • Understand the components of a border, skirt, different corner details.
  • Determining accurate measurements for ordering product
  • Identification of compatible species from a technical and aesthetic perspective.
  • Identify pre-fabricated and hand-designed.
• Board Replacement/Repairs
  • Determine if/when boards should be replaced/repaired versus entire re-install.
  • Determine proper steps for board replacement. Differentiate process based on type of install; nail, glue or float.
  • Execute proper board replacement steps including, but not limited to cutting and removal of damaged board, cutting new board to size, installing new board and cleaning repaired area.
  • Execute proper repair skills for isolated damages including, but not limited to scratches and dents.
  • Determine proper tools/items for isolated repairs including, but not limited to waxes, fill sticks and graining tools.
  • Identify and be able to address many of the common irregularities
• Sand & Finish Safety
  • Wear, inspect and maintain proper clothing and PPE needed for sanding and finishing safety including, but not limited to safety glasses, earplugs, dust masks/respirators, kneepads, etc.
  • Demonstrate proper usage and maintenance of sanding and finishing tools including, but not limited to hand tools and machines used.
  • Demonstrate proper understanding of electrical and chemical safety and execute safety protocols on the jobsite.
• Abrasives
  • Understand and distinguish the difference between the different types of mineral grains used in abrasives.
  • Understand the different levels of grist used for abrasives.
  • Determine and execute the proper grit sequence for flattening a floor.
  • Understand the types of abrasives used on different machines and execute application of knowledge.
• Sanding Equipment - Big Machine
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of big machines.
  • Demonstrate proper walking speed and drum pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines.
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used.
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results.
  • Execute proper technique while feathering with big machine.
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices.
  • Dispose of dust properly.
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of big machine including, but not limited to removal/replacement of drum, cleaning wheels and adjust tracking.
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed.
• Sanding Equipment - Edger
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of edger.
  • Demonstrate proper clocking techniques and hand pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines.
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used.
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results.
  • Execute proper technique with edger.
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices.
  • Dispose of dust properly.
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of edger including, but not limited to brushes, wheels and driver pad.
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed.
• Sanding Equipment - Rotary Sander (Buffer)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of buffer.
  • Demonstrate proper clocking techniques and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines.
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used.
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results.
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices.
  • Dispose of dust properly.
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of buffer including, but not limited to wheels and driver pad.
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed.
• Sanding Equipment - Multi-Head Sanders (Planetary machines)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of multi-head sanders.
  • Demonstrate proper techniques and pressure and comply with manufacturer and NWFA guidelines.
  • Determine proper abrasive selection to match job and machine used.
  • Use proper grit sequence for desired results.
  • Use proper and effective dust contamination systems or practices.
  • Dispose of dust properly.
  • Demonstrate proper inspection and maintenance of multi-head sanders including, but not limited to brushes, wheels and driver pad.
  • Evaluate floor for common sanding flaws and fix flaws as needed.
• Sanding Equipment - Dust Containment Systems (DCS)
  • Understand and demonstrate proper safety, usage, storage and maintenance of dust containment systems.
  • Demonstrate proper techniques and compatibility with different equipment types.
  • Dispose of dust properly.
• Sanding Final Detailing
  • Determine when scrapper is needed on job.
  • Display proper safety when using and sharpening blade.
  • Execute proper hand scraping technique for desired results.
  • Demonstrate usage when scraping to blend flatness.
  • Demonstrate usage wen scraping for texture results.
  • Determine when hand sanding is needed to blend edges.
  • Select proper abrasive and grit sequence for the job.
  • Comply with NWFA guidelines.
• Filling
  • Select proper type of fill to be used.
  • Execute proper technique by using all types of fills including, but not limited to trowel, spot, putty, flour cement, wood dust, epoxy and Dutchmen/slivers.
  • Adhere to manufacturer guidelines of fill type.
  • Create wood dust mix and demonstrate proper use on jobsite.
  • Learn to match species and grain, then cut and install slivers/Dutchmen
• Stains/Colorants
  • Understand the different types of stains available for use.
  • Communicate differences, their performances and available options to customer.
  • Prepare floor for stain application.
  • Understand the different types of methods used to apply stain and execute including by not limited to trowel, T-bar, rag, etc.
  • Execute proper safety standards when applying stain.
  • Dispose of stain and stain rags safely and appropriately.
  • Follow manufacturer and NWFA guidelines for all applications.
• Sealers and Finishes
  • Learn about the different types of wood floor sealers and finishes and application processes.
  • Understand what Safety Data Sheets are, safety precautions and federal requirements surrounding sealers and coatings.
  • Review different manufacturer systems, and characteristics of each one.
  • Communicate differences, their performan
• Finishing Process
  • Understand the different types of application methods.
  • Prepare floor for sealer and finish application.
  • Understand the different types of methods used to apply sealers/finishes and execute including, but not limited to trowel, T-bar, roller, etc.
  • Execute proper safety standards when applying sealers and finishes.
  • Follow manufacturer and NWFA guidelines for all application
• Maintenance & Customer Education
  • Communicate bids to customer.
  • Communicate maintenance instructions with customer.
  • Preparation and application of maintenance coats/recoats.
  • Learn about contaminations/cleaning products that can affect adhesion of finishes.