Phil Provins, owner at San Diego-based Top Floor, recalls a lesson he learned: "Entering the trade, I worked as a helper for a contractor, and within six months I was given my own jobs. I brought on a good friend to be my helper and, though we lacked the experience necessary to recognize many of the pitfalls we would encounter, we were eager. On one of the earliest jobs we did a perfect installation, right up to the last board, which landed in the doorway to an adjoining kitchen with large, terra cotta pavers. Our final plank was scribed to follow the contours of the tile edges. My helper cut with great care, and I placed it into the glue. Success! We patted ourselves on the back. It was our smoothest installation by far, and we were proud. Noting that the last plank needed to be a bit tighter at the seam, I grabbed my pry bar and placed it between the tile and the wood. Horror fell across our faces as the point where my bar wedged against the tile became a tiny explosion of orange shards. A powerful lesson in leverage had been learned. We tried to hide my mistake, but it was in vain. To this day my friend likes to recall how I tried to repair the damaged edge with a putty made from wood glue and a few pieces of orange kibble I had taken from the dog food dish. However, I refuse to believe that really happened. The important thing is I have never repeated such foolishness again. At least, not more than twice."
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Phil Provins, owner at San Diego-based Top Floor, recalls a lesson he learned: "Entering the trade, I worked as a helper for a contractor, and within six months I was given my own jobs. I brought on a good friend to be my helper and, though we lacked the experience necessary to recognize many of the pitfalls we would encounter, we were eager. On one of the earliest jobs we did a perfect installation, right up to the last board, which landed in the doorway to an adjoining kitchen with large, terra cotta pavers. Our final plank was scribed to follow the contours of the tile edges. My helper cut with great care, and I placed it into the glue. Success! We patted ourselves on the back. It was our smoothest installation by far, and we were proud. Noting that the last plank needed to be a bit tighter at the seam, I grabbed my pry bar and placed it between the tile and the wood. Horror fell across our faces as the point where my bar wedged against the tile became a tiny explosion of orange shards. A powerful lesson in leverage had been learned. We tried to hide my mistake, but it was in vain. To this day my friend likes to recall how I tried to repair the damaged edge with a putty made from wood glue and a few pieces of orange kibble I had taken from the dog food dish. However, I refuse to believe that really happened. The important thing is I have never repeated such foolishness again. At least, not more than twice."
All Things Wood Floor, created by Wood Floor Business magazine, talks to interesting wood flooring pros to share knowledge, stories and tips on everything to do with wood flooring, from installation, sanding and finishing to business management.
