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MOISTURE AND THE FLOORING
solid hardwood floors

  How moisture affects your hardwood flooring

Wood flooring is a natural product that responds to humidity variation by expanding and contracting. Sometimes these changes may be noticeable. During warm and humid summers wood expands. During dry weather wood contracts. This seasonal movement is normal for wood flooring. The best way to reduce this movement or even hide it completely, is to install humidity controls and make sure they function before the flooring is installed.
 		  
  In winter time

In winter, when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood flooring gives up some moisture and, therefore, shrinks. When it happens, thin gaps can appear between planks. This is normal, and a homeowner should be prepared for this. Once indoor heat goes off in the spring and indoor environment regains moisture, most of these gaps will close up.
To avoid these separations try to add moisture to the air during dry period. The best way is to install humidifier in the furnace or moveable humidifier in the room with good air circulation. If humidity does not go lower than 45%, no separations will appear at all. To keep permanent control over humidity in the house, install simple humidity meter, so you can constantly monitor humidity level in your house.
 		 
  In summer time

During warm and humid summers, when indoor humidity can rise up to 90%, the opposite occurs. Wood absorbs moisture from the air and, therefore, expands. If wood flooring is exposed to extensive humidity even for a couple of days, it can cup. Cupping means that edges of a board are higher than its center. It can also occur after water is spilled onto the floor and  is absorbed by the wood. After cupping has occurred, it takes a while for humidity to return back to normal. It is very important to be certain before installation that humidity level on the job site is within allowed range 45-55%.
In extreme cases, if wood expands significantly, boards get under enormous pressure from adjoining boards. As a result, boards can lose structural integrity and crack. To prevent cupping do not allow humidity rise over 60%. Keep air conditioner or dehumidifier running during humid summers.
 
  
 
Cupping

If you see cupping in your solid hardwood flooring, first, identify and eliminate the moisture source. It can be a plumbing leak in the basement, the terrain of the lot with rain and runoff not moving away from the house or indoor humidity may need to be controlled.
After the source of moisture is eliminated cupping can usually be cured. If cupping is moderate, the floor may improve on its own as it dries out over time. If cupping is excessive, floor may need to be sanded and refinished. Be certain that the floor has thoroughly dried before sanding.
If sanded at the wrong time, before moisture content returns to normal and boards have flattened, crowning may occur. Crowning means that the center of the boards will appear higher than the edges.
 		 
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