Steven Johnston Inspections & Consulting
Independent Inspection Service Areas for Certified Inspections & Floor Reports:
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Virginia
- West Virginia
- Eastern Tennessee
- Western Pennsylvania
- Georgia
- Some parts of Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio
Work History
– 2001-Present ~ Flooring Inspector/Consultant/Court Expert Witness
– 2000-2006 ~ Founder-A-1 First Impressions Carpet/Specialty Services
– 1995-2000 ~ The Budd Group-District Manager Specialty Services Division including care for all Wake Forest University & School of Medicine offices & facility & Facility Manager of Corporate Office
– 1991-1995 ~ Restaurant & Hospitality Manager & Facilities Care
– 1995-1999 ~ Kroger Front Office Supervisor
– 1986-1991 ~ Varco Pruden Buildings (while working full time going to college as an adult student with a family)
– 1982-1986 ~ Restaurant & Hospitality Manager & Facilities Care
– 1978-1982 ~ Tool & Die Mill Operator & self employed owner of Janitorial Floor Care Business
Education
2000- Gardner Webb University MBA (3.83 GPA)
1991- Winston Salem State University (Summa Cum Laude 3.89 GPA)
Bachelor of Science-Business Administration concentration in Accounting, Finance, & Business Management
– Accounting Society Vice President, Toastmasters International, Dean’s List every semester, VITA volunteer
– Who’s Who Among College Students in the United States
1978- Calvary Baptist Christian Academy (class valedictorian 3.92 GPA)
– Christian Athelete Award, All A Honor Roll, Who’s Who Among High School Students in the United States, & Class Vice President
Certifications & Training
FCITS – Floor Consultants & Inspection Training Services-Certified Carpet Inspector
FCITS – Floor Consultants & Inspection Training Services-Certified Wood Floor Inspector
FCITS – Floor Consultants & Inspection Training Services-Certified Substrate Inspector
FCITS – Floor Consultants & Inspection Training Services-Hard Surface/Specialty Floor Inspector
FCITS – Floor Consultants & Inspection Training Services-Resilient Floor Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Certified Wood Floor Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Certified Carpet Inspector (commercial & residential)
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Certified Wood Floor Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Hard Surface/Specialty Floor Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Substrate Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Woven Inspector
FITS-Floor Inspector Training Services Resilient Floor Inspector
CTEF-Ceramic Tile Education Foundation-Certified Tile Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Certified Wood Floor Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Certified Carpet Inspector (commercial & residential)
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Certified Laminate Floor Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Hard Surface/Specialty Floor Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Substrate Inspector/Moisture Vapor Emissions Testing
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Woven/Specialty Textile Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Resilient Floor Inspector
IFCI-Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors Ceramic Tile & Stone Floor Inspector
CTEF-Ceramic Tile Education Foundation-Certified Tile Inspector
Institute of Cleaning & Restoration Certification (IICRC) Certified Firm
IICRC Certified Senior Carpet Inspector
IICRC Certified Floor Care Technician, Master Fire. Smoke & Water Damage Restoration
IICRC Certified Master Cleaning Technician
IICRC Odor Control, Advanced Spot Cleaning, Carpet & Upholstery Cleaning
CFI Certified Floor Covering Installers Inspector Technical Certification
ICR – International Certification Registry; Certified Carpet Inspector.
ICR – International Certification Registry; Certified Wood Floor Inspector
ICR – International Certification Registry; Tile Floor Inspector
ICR – International Certification Registry; Reslient Floor Inspector
ITS – Inspector Training Services – Advanced Hardwood & Hard Surfaces Inspector
ITS – Inspector Training Services – Carpet Inspector
ITS – Inspector Training Services – Resilient Floor Inspector
ITS – Inspector Training Services – Laminate and Specialty Surfaces Inspector
NWFA – National Wood Flooring Association – Certified Wood Floor Inspector
NOFMA National Oak Floor Manufacturing Association-Inspector Training completed pursuing certification
NALFA North American Laminate Floor Association
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Hardwood Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Ceramic Tile & Stone Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Carpet Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Commercial Carpet Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Resilient Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Hard Surface Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Advanced Hardwood Floor Inspector
CFIU-Certified Flooring Inspector’s University-Concrete & Moisture Testing
Services
Carpet-Hardwood-Laminate-Resilient-Tile-Bamboo-LVP-Cork-Terrazo-Rubber & Specialty Floor Inspections
Commercial Carpet & Floor Inspections
Steaming & Pile Lifting
Cleaning & Restorative Cleaning
Spot Dyeing-Feather Blending
Micro shearing
Moisture Testing
Background
Steve Johnston Inspections & Consulting in North Carolina, providing neutral third party investigation & analysis of floor covering problems & failures since 2001. Steve founded & operated A-1 First Impressions Cleaning & Restoration; sold the business in 2006. Curriculum vitae can be viewed at www.floorinspect.com.
2020
~ FCITS Annual Recertification Update Expo
~ Floor Inspector Education Guild Technical Certification Class-Dalton, GA
- Adhesive or Cohesive failures – William Thornton (extensive course on Adhesive).
- Splits, Checks, Side Bonding, & Gaps: How they happen, when, and who is responsible.
2019
~ NWFA Webinar- HB Fuller Construction Products – Surface Prep for Wood Installation
~ NWFA Webinar-Bona; Laying a Solid Foundation
~ NWFA Webinar- MAPEI: Water – Sub-Floor Moisture Control and Surface Prep for Wood Flooring Installation
~ NWFA webinar: ThermoSoft – Electric Floor Heating – Wood Flooring Installation Methods and Managing Customer Expectations
~ Floor Inspector Education Guild: VA Tech seminar on Kiln Drying and How/Where Defects Occur.
~ Floor Inspector Education Guild: VA Tech Seminar on Veneers, Cuts, Construction, How/Where Defects Occur.
~ NWFA Webinar: Elastilon – The Peel & Stick Floating Installation Method Confirmation.
~ NWFA Webinar by ThermoSoft: Electric Radiant Heating Systems for Wood Flooring.
~ NWFA Webinar by Thermosoft: “Electric Floor Heating under Wood Flooring”. Learn more about utilizing all features of a properly installed electric radiant floor heating system including common troubleshooting questions.
~ Floor Inspector Guild: Shaw Training, Tramex/Delmhorst training, IICRC, & Dr. Joe Loferski Virginia Tech on solid & engineered wood and moisture, Understanding engineered wood in balanced construction, and performance.
2018
~ NWFA Webinar Start at the Bottom: Moisture Control and Surface Preparation presented by Mapei
~ NWFA Webinar WOCA USA Penetrating Oils-How to Finish and Maintain Penetrating Oil Floors
~ Bona Sand & Finish School (Monroe, NC-4 day hands on)
~ NWFA Webinar-Cali Bamboo
~ Bona Sand and Finish Webinar and Assessment (Preparation, Sanding, Detailing, Stain, & Finish)
~ Bona History & Assessment
~ Bona Adhesives on line Webinar & Assessment
~ FCITS Expo
~ NWFA Manufacturing Characteristics Learning Path
- Domestic Wood Species
- Imported Wood Species
- Natural Growth Characteristics
- Manufacturing Characteristics
- How Cut Affects Wood Flooring
- Reclaimed Wood
~ NWFA Webinar: Amaz Floors-Eliminating the Risk of Buying Selling, and Working With Exotic Flooring
~ NWFA Webinar: MP Global Products-Don’t Let Moisture Dampen Your Wood Floors
~ NWFA Webinar: WD Flooring From the Forest to the Floor
~ NWFA Webinar: Duraseal Color & Design Forecast
~ NWFA Webinar: Huber Engineered Woods: Overcoming Structural Floor Squeaks in Wood Framed Construction
~ NWFA Webinar: MP Global Sounds Off on Underlayments
~ NWFA Expo (2017) Tech Zone Video Series
~ Buffing, Orbital, & Multi-Head Machines
~ Nail Down, Glue Down, and Glue Assist Parts I & II
~ Repair Techniques
~ Roller Coating
~ Stain Application Methods
~ Sub Floor Prep: Wood vs. Slab
~ NWFA webinar- MP Global Products – Don’t Let Moisture Dampen Your Wood Floors
~ Floor Inspector Education Guild (Dalton, GA)
Day 1, Construction Day
The Guild continues it innovative educational programs. Never before, has there been a class to explicitly teach Flooring Professionals the truth about construction issues that allows moisture to enter building negatively impacting our flooring stealing our Profits. The Guild has contracted Wynn White, a nationally known construction engineer who specializes in moisture and water issues in buildings. Mr. White is a professional engineer with an engineering degree from Purdue University, known for its engineering department.
Water and moisture (Relative Humidity) are major concerns for Flooring Professionals.
Relative Humidity and humidity levels in buildings? What is realistic and what is not. How does water intrusion happen? What to look for and how to state it correctly. Interior walls and humidity, sources for interior moisture that affects our flooring causing issues that can rob you of your profits. For inspectors, the knowledge you need to help your clients find the truth and how to use your meters diagnostically to make your reports accurate and precise.
Day 2, Mohawk and Tarkett Day
After discussions with manufacturers, the common issue each expressed as their biggest concern was installation. Each stated, to paraphrase their comments, “We need not just installers, but retailers, contractors and Inspectors, to know more about how our individual products are installed.” This is an opportunity to learn how it is done, taught by manufacturers so there is no confusion as to what is right and what is wrong.
Mohawk will teach about their new product, Airo carpet. Mohawk personnel have informed us this is an important class for Inspectors, Installers, and Retailers.
Day 3, Shaw Day
This will be a specialty class on Shaw’s hard surface products, How to install them.
Solid Installation & Engineer Wood Installations
* Glue down method
* Staple down method
* Floating method
Resilient installation
* Floor prep per subfloor type
* Proper use and application of adhesive
* Abatement
Floating products
* Click mechanisms
* Sheet Vinyl – grooving-heat welding
~ NWFA Webinar-Amaz Floors – Eliminating Risk of Buying, Selling and Working with Exotic Hardwood Flooring
2017
~ NWFA Certified Wood Floor Inspector School and CEC Educational updates
~ IFCI LVT on line course, testing, certification
~ Floor Inspector Education Guild: How to measure coating thickness, wear-layers, LVT, Resilient, & Carpet Tiles
~ NWFA Inspector Training & Certification (Continuing Education update covering newer NWFA changes)
~ NWFA 2016 NWFA Expo Tech Zone
~ NWFA 2016 NWFA Expo: Experiential Marketing
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Textured Floors Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish Sanding Process Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish Repair & Replacement Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Sanding Equipment Operation Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Sanding Equipment Maintenance Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Sand & Finish Safety Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Finishes Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Colorants Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sand & Finish: Abrasives Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sales: Wood Flooring Types Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Wood As Flooring Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Renewability & Sustainability Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sales: Job Estimates Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Installation Methods & Considerations Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sales: Controlling Moisture Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Wood Moisture Testing Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Sub Floors Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Patterned Floor Layout Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Nail-Down Installation Process Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Layout Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA Installation Safety Path on line course
~ NWFA Glue Down Installation Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA University Installation From the Forest to the Floor Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA University Floating Installation Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA University Evaluating the Jobsite Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA University Board Replacement Learning Path on line course
~ NWFA University Concrete Moisture Testing on line course
~ NWFA University Evaluating the Jobsite Learning Path on line course
~ Tar Heel Basement Systems Polyurethane injection for concrete walks and foundation repairs training
~ Tar Heel Basement Systems Realtor Workshop for Home Buyers and Home Sellers
~ Sand & Finish: Care & Maintenance
~ Sand & Finish: Finishing Process
- Finish Applicators
- Finish Preparation
- Finish Application Procedures
- Sand & Finish: Care & Maintenance
- Maintenance Products
- General Maintenance for All Wood Floors
- The Importance of Maintenance & Educating the Customer
~ Sand & Finish: Irregularities
- Sanding, Filler, & Finish Irregularities
~ Sand & Finish: Recoating a Previously Finished Wood Floor
2016
~ Floor Inspector’s Education Guild Seminar-Artificial Turf and their new backing systems (Shaw), Natural Fibers & Woven Carpet, Carpet Adhesive-types and specifications, Cleaning and Maintenance/Carpet Tiles (taught by Sim Crisler who helped develop them), & Mannington-6’ & 12’ wide vinyl backed broad loomed carpets, Dalton, GA
~ NWFA Wood Floor Education Expo-Charlotte, NC
~ Floor Inspectors Education Guild/VA Tech-Understanding Wood Science applied to Wood Flooring Inspection Techniques (Building Envelope Science as it relates to wood flooring, Wood Density and Specific Gravity and using moisture meters properly, delamination and the difference between shear/fiber tearing and bond line failure and Sub Floor Panel Moisture Properties
~ NWFA on line Wood Floor Maintenance and Refinishing course
~ IFCI Harwood Floor and Ceramic Tile Inspectors course-Norcross, GA
~ FCITS Education Update Expo-Dalton, GA
~ NICFI Convention and Education Update Seminars-Dalton, GA
~ Floor Inspector’s Education Guild Shaw Training and Update Seminar
~ Floor Inspector’s Education Guild/NC State/Dr. Roberto Nunez Concrete Seminar
2015
~ FCITS Training Expo Resilient, Hardwood, Laminate, Dalton, GA
~ Ardex Tile and Stone setting training course, Aliquippa, PA
~ Floor Inspector’s Education Guild Resilient/LVT plank seminar, Dalton, GA
~ Inspector Training Services Resilient and LVT floor inspection certification, Dalton, GA
2014
~ FCITS Recertification Course/Test by mail updating educational requirements for an additional 2 years.
~ VA Tech/Inspector’s Educational Guild Class in New Orleans on Engineered Wood and Crawl Space/Effects of Moisture on Wood
2013
~ VA Tech Engineered Flooring Workshop, Bamboo, Cork, and Crawl Space Moisture
~ IICRC Introduction to Substrate & Sub Floor Inspections-Ardex HQ-Aliquippa, PA
~ Ardex MC Class-Aliquippa, PA
~ Ardex System One-Aliquippa, PA
~ Floor Inspector’s Guild Class on Ceramic Tile-Dalton, GA
~ Virginia Tech Educational Guild-The Science Behind Engineered/Solid Wood Flooring Inspections
2012
~ NICFI Convention and Education Update Training
~ FCITS IVC Resilient and Commercial Flooring Inspection Training Expo
~ Flooring Inspectors Educational Guild Concrete and Wood I D Training updates-Charleston, SC
~ Flooring Inspectors Education Guild Moisture in Crawl Spaces and Houses
2011
~ NCSU Engineered Wood and Laminate Class
~ ITSFC Advanced Wood Floor Inspector Certification CEC Update training
~ NALFA Laminate Class, Test, and Certification
2010
~ Mohawk Inspector’s Inspection & Correction Symposium
~ NCSU Engineered Wood, Laminate, & Concrete class
~ NCSU Kiln Dry Class-Haywood Community College
~ NICFI 2010 Convention and Training
~ ICRI Moisture Certification Training Class
~ FCITS Training Symposium
2009:
~ AFS Commercial Carpet Corrections (Fred Gamble, Mohawk, & Shaw Industries)
~ AFS Carpet Side match Color Repair Training & Certification
~ IICRC recertification & update classes for cleaning & restoration
~ AFS Inspector Symposium
~ ITSFC Carpet Inspector Training & Certification
~ FCITS Woven Class & Certification
~ L & N Armstrong training for Wood, Laminate, & Resilient flooring taught by Evin Lauridsen
~ NCSU Wood Extension Department class on Wood Identification
2008:
~ FCITS Commercial Carpet Inspection Certification
~ ITSFC Hard Surface Training & Inspector Certification
~ FCITS Training Seminar with classes taught by Host Industries, Beaulieu, Shaw Industries, & other attending companies & vendors in carpet repair & corrections, maintenance, inspections, manufacturing, & recertification updates and credits.
~ CTEF Inspector Class for Ceramic Tile & Natural Stone
~ NOFMA Wood Floor Inspector Training
~ NWFA Basics Class for Installation, Sanding, & Finishing
~ NICFI Convention & Training
~ IICRC Cleaning & Educational update classes
2007:
~ ITSFC-Hardwood Inspection Certification taught by Will Stoner & Howard Brickman at Bona Kemi Facility.
~ AFS Commercial Carpet Certification (Fred Gamble & & Shaw Industries)
~ IICRC Continuing Education classes & updates
~ NICFI – National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Convention and Update. Concrete Problems, Royalty Carpet Mills, Armstrong Hardwood
2006:
~ FCITS – Hard Surface Certification of Hardwood, Ceramic Tile, Resilient and Laminate Flooring.
~ IICRC continuing Education Classes in Carpet Cleaning
~ NICFI-National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Convention & Education Update
~ FITS Woven Carpet & Commercial Carpet Certification
~ L & N Services Wood, Hard Surface, & Solid Surface CEC classes
2005:
~ FITS – Advanced Hardwood Inspection Class
~ FCITS Hard Surface Recertification
~ FITS Substrate Certification
~ FITS Carpet Certification
~ NICFI-National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Convention & Education Update
~ NWFA Inspection Training & Certification
~ IICRC Continuing Education classes
~ L & N Services Wood, Hard Surface, & Solid Surface CEC classes
2004:
~ NICFI-National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Convention & Education Update
~ FCITS Carpet Inspection Certification
~ FCITS Hard Surface Inspection Certification
~ FCITS Vapor Emission and Substrate Certification Training
~ IICRC Continuing Education classes
~ L & N Services Wood, Hard Surface, & Solid Surface CEC classes
2003:
~ NICFI-National Institute of Certified Flooring Inspectors Convention & Education Update
~ IICRC Continuing Education classes
~ FCITS CEC classes
2002:
~ IICRC Senior Carpet Inspector
~ Formica Solid Surfaces (Countertop)
~ US Stone Solid Surfaces (Countertop)
~ IICRC Continuing Education classes
Industry Associations & Memberships (past or present)
– (CFI) – Certified Flooring Installers Association.
– (IICRC) – Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restorations Certification. Master Textile Cleaner, Master Fire, Smoke, & Water Damage Restoration, Senior Carpet Inspector
– (FCITS) – Flooring Consultants and Inspection Training Service. Carpet Inspector. Hardwood Inspector. Resilient & Hard Surface Inspector.
– (NWFA) – National Wood Flooring Association. Hardwood Inspector.
– www.FloorReports.com. Hardwood – Carpet – Vinyl – Cork – Laminate – Woven – Resilient Floor Inspector.
– Inspect Solutions Hardwood, Laminate, Carpet, Tile, & Resilient Floor Inspector
– (WFCA) World Floor Covering Association.
– ITSFC Advanced Hardwood, Hard Surface, & Carpet Inspector
– IFCI Institute For Floor Covering Inspectors
– NOFMA (National Oak Flooring Manufacturing Association dba Wood Floor Manufacturer’s Association)
– CRI Carpet & Rug Institute Seal of Approval member for cleaning
– AFS Advanced Flooring Systems Commercial Carpet Inspector and Corrections Technician
-(NALFA) North American Laminate Flooring Association