HOA Tips: The Effects of Humidity and Dry Air on Your Hardwood Floors
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Throughout the year, the level of humidity changes, as well as the temperature fluctuates. Wood is a hygroscopic material that can be affected by environmental changes. Although hardwood floor manufacturers apply techniques to counteract the effects of moisture on hardwood floors, they are still made of wood. Indeed, high and low moisture content are critical issues that affect the flooring’s integrity.
Relative Humidity Hardwood floors need certain conditions to keep the best shape. In the first instance, relative humidity between 35% and 55% is needed.
High Humidity Under high humidity conditions, flooring boards expand because they absorb moisture from the air. It means that floorboards increase in size and they are pushed upwards, creating the effect of buckling. Another consequence is cupping, when the edges of the boards expand and protrude. In many cases, this occurrence may be irreversible, and it is necessary to change the whole floor. On the other hand, wood can experience another effect called crowning. This issue is the opposite of cupping since the center of the boards pops up this time.
Low Humidity Under low humidity conditions, the air gets too dry, and hardwood floors respond oppositely. Dryness makes wood release its natural moisture into the air. In consequence, it causes the wood to crack, making your hardwood floors weak. This occurrence is typical during the winter when the loss of moisture causes gaps between wood floorboards. Then, wood contracts in response to low humidity.
HOW TO PROTECT YOUR HARDWOOD FLOORS FROM MOISTURE PROBLEMS? In the first instance, before installing your flooring, you must ensure that it adjusts to the current humidity in your home by acclimatization. On the other hand, during humid days in the summer, ventilation is essential for keeping the humidity level down. Under dry conditions, the best choice is to use a whole-house humidifier that comes with your HVAC system.
Call The Professionals For further i nformati on, cal l the professi onal s on hardwood fl oors i n Charl ot te, NC.
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