Don’t look now, but warmer temperatures are closing in. This means summer humidity will be making its way back into our homes very soon. If you’ve got hardwood floors, it’s time to think about taking the proper steps to protect your floors from that extra moisture.
Although wood flooring has been dried, cut and treated, it is still a natural material, so it will continue to respond to humidity levels during the changing seasons. This means during the warmer seasons it will expand as it soaks up moisture and during the colder times, it releases that moisture. When the wood releases that moisture, it will contract forming thin gaps between the planks. This should not be a major cause of concern, just something a wood floor home owner should be aware of.
There are four main reactions a wood floor will have due to changing moisture levels:
Cupping
Have you ever noticed wood planks that are higher on the edges, creating almost a bowl-like appearance? This is cupping. Cupping occurs when there is too much moisture causing the planks to expand and squish together. This forces the edges of the planks upwards so that they are higher than the center. Cupping can usually be reversed by drying out the wood naturally or by placing some fans in the room to speed up the process. Also, a dehumidifier can help maintain a healthy moisture amount in your home.
Crowning
Just the opposite of cupping. It is when the center of the planks is higher than the edges. It occurs most often because of sanding down the floors while they are cupping. Once the room reaches normal moisture levels again, the wood will contract revealing the overly sanded edges.
Buckling
This one we see the least often, but it happens. Buckling occurs when the floor pulls up and away from the subfloor. This usually only occurs after the floor has been in contact with a large amount of moisture like after flooding. Luckily, the floor can usually be repaired instead of having to be completely replaced.
Gapping
Gapping most often happens during the end of fall and winter when moisture levels decrease. It is when the planks contract due to the loss in moisture and recede from one another, creating thin gaps between the individual planks. The problem can be fixed fairly easily by adding a humidifier to establish normal moisture levels.
We are in one those weather transition phases in Michigan, so it’s best to be aware of these conditions with your hardwood flooring. If you see any of these reactions to your flooring, don’t panic. Wood flooring has the ability to shift, change and settle back to its normal appearance. If you’re worried about your flooring and are unsure what to do, give us a call. We’d be more than happy to help.
