Thunderheart Flooring’s Quality Control Process for Moisture
From Real Estate to Hardwood Flooring
The old saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” In 2005, when the real estate market was showing signs of wobbling, many agents were scrambling to find theirs. Keith Long, the owner and founder of Thunderheart Flooring, didn’t have to look far. He saw a market opportunity that would become Thunderheart’s silver lining.
Keith grew up in a farming family and remembers being fascinated by the work contractors did for his family’s business. He had a natural knack for tools and would often trail behind the contractors, eager to help and learn. Keith knew early on that he had what he calls the “building bug.”
Although he was successful in real estate, Keith saw changes coming in the industry. Knowing the market was headed in the wrong direction, he used the change to reinvent himself. While living in Northern Colorado, he answered an ad for hardwood flooring contractors and was hired. He learned the trade, and about a year later, Keith went out on his own. With his wife, Robin, he opened Thunderheart Flooring, LLC, a high-end boutique flooring company in Greeley, Colorado. When this article was written in 2016, ten years and many floors later, he had never looked back.
Building a Reputation on Craftsmanship
Keith and Robin are a creative pair who like to take on a variety of flooring challenges, and Thunderheart has built a solid reputation in the industry. They’ve done smaller jobs sanding, staining, and refinishing existing floors, as well as full installations from start to finish. They’re well versed in straightforward jobs and high-end custom flooring projects alike.
Keith takes pride in his craftsmanship, and that sets him apart from his competitors. Competitive pricing and a commitment to quality make Thunderheart a company homeowners can rely on. Despite their success, when you call Thunderheart Flooring, you speak directly with Keith. Each client gets a thorough consultation with a detailed cost breakdown. Unlike buying flooring from a big-box store, where the installation is handed off to an independent contractor, with Thunderheart you get the boss himself.
Keith is loyal to his customers, his manufacturers, and his tools. He still has the original Wagner MMC220* Extended Range Moisture Meter he bought when he went out on his own. It was the first tool he ever bought, and he uses it daily. That loyalty is what keeps his customers coming back and recommending him to others.
*The MMC220 has since been replaced by Wagner’s Orion® line of pinless moisture meters.
Why Subfloor Moisture Causes Failures
Keith has a wealth of knowledge from his years in the business. One of the most common problems after construction is a wood subfloor with too much moisture under the wood flooring. A wrong moisture reading can lead to thousands of dollars in damage after installation, and it can damage a contractor’s reputation too. Moisture in the subfloor moves up into the flooring above it, which can cause warping, adhesive failure, separation, and many other long-term problems.
Testing Moisture Before Installation
Keith is a big believer in prevention over costly repairs after installation. He tests the moisture in the subfloor before he even considers installing the wood flooring. When he bids on a job, Keith always carries a wood moisture meter, his tape measure, and a notebook. The Wagner meter’s reliability, ease of use, accurate readings, and durability make it his go-to tool.
When Keith finds too much moisture in the subfloor, he has time to let each component dry or acclimate as the job requires. That’s especially important because, at the time of this article, Thunderheart Flooring was booked about four months out. When time and reputation are on the line, Keith can’t afford mistakes that could lead to a flooring failure.
“I’m really proud of the fact that we’ve never had a flooring failure. I think it’s because we avoid the problem by using a Wagner moisture meter on every job. I have all the facts before I start a job and that prevents expensive problems.”
– Keith Long, Thunderheart Flooring, LLC
Keith and Robin have staked their reputation and livelihood on doing the best job possible for their clients. Their honesty, loyalty, knowledge, and commitment to every customer make them an industry favorite.
Wagner Meters has been a staple of Keith’s success. Learn more about Wagner wood moisture meters.
Wagner Meters is a family-owned American business that aims to provide solutions in moisture measurement technology that will enhance the quality and value of each customer’s project. With an almost 60-year legacy of innovation, Wagner continues to be a resource for both individual craftsmen and high-performance commercial endeavors.
Last updated on October 13th, 2026
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