The Truth about Moisture and Hardwood Floors |
Posted: May 16, 2018 |
Many people know that excess water and humidity is bad for hardwood floors. It can lead to buckling, cracking and other damage. However, there are some facts about how moisture affects hardwood flooring in Toronto homes that you may not be aware of.
You Need Some Moisture in Your Hardwood Floors
If the material is too dry, it can also lead to problems. The wood won’t acclimate to the home, which will lead to damage. If you live in a home with high moisture content, the wood will expand which can lead to buckling, swelling and warping.
On the other hand, if your home has no humidity, the wood will lose the moisture it already has. It will shrink which can also lead to warping and cracking. Ideally, the moisture content in the wood will be the same as what it’s in the house.
To create the best environment for your wood floors, keep humidity and temperature levels relatively the same all year long. When the flooring material is installed, the installers will test the moisture content of the wood. However, major variations will lead to problems with your new floors in time.
Other Areas of Concern for Increased Moisture
While you may think of adjusting your thermostat or using a dehumidifier, you may not consider other ways the moisture level in your home can change. However, if any of these areas are neglected, it could have serious results for your hardwood floors.
Check the crawl space – many have poor ventilation which creates issues with the hardwood floors above. A thick plastic film is usually placed on the ground to help reduce moisture content. You can also put dehumidifiers in crawl spaces.
Window wells – This area can lead to standing water if it doesn’t drain properly. You need to check to make sure it drains away from the foundation.
Garden sprinklers – if a sprinkler system leaks or malfunctions, you can end up with water being directed towards the house instead of the lawn, which can get into the foundation.
Sealed Foundation – While your home may have been sealed when it was built, settling can cause the seal to break. You may need to have a new sealant applied on the foundation walls.
Proper drainage – Most homes are built with the idea to have proper drainage of water away from the foundation. However, older homes or changes in the landscape can cause the water to drain in the wrong direction. You’ll need to direct the water away from the home.
Gutters – Clogged spouts can cause water to go back onto the roof or to sit along the foundation with a broken downspout. You’ll want to make sure you have an extension on the end of the downspout to direct water away.
Moisture isn’t always the enemy of hardwood floors. The right amount ensures your floors continue to look fabulous. However, you must make sure the level of moisture doesn’t vary to prevent many of the issues that occur with hardwood floors.
Canada's premier hardwood flooring store. Proudly selling Hardwood Flooring in Toronto since 1977. We have hardwood, laminates, engineered, and exotic flooring; we also provide hardwood flooring installation.
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