Moisture Control in Hardwood Flooring

Excess moisture can cause big problems for hardwood flooring.

The reasons are simple. Hardwood flooring is a natural product. This means it's impacted by things like humidity. Moisture can cause hardwood flooring to expand and contract, even if the wood has been dried, cut and processed.

Wood can expand during those hot, humid summer months because of the extra moisture. Winter bring another concern. Cold, dry winter air can cause wood flooring to contract. Sometimes these changes are severe enough to be noticeable.

These are some of the reasons why it's so important to control moisture when it comes to hardwood flooring.

It's important to understand that this expansion and contraction of the wood could be taking place during certain seasons. The changes can be too subtle to be detected until years later. By then it may too late to repair the hardwood flooring.

One way to control the moisture levels is be installing humidity controls.

During times when the air is dry, the humidity levels should be raised to allow more moisture in the air. The release of moisture in the room is important. Indoor heating may heat a home but it also bring dryness to the air. This, along with the cold, cause contractions in wood. This can lead to gaps in hardwood flooring.

In the summer, extra moisture is the problem. Humidity levels in a home can rise sharply. This can cause the wood to expand and warp. Use an air conditioner or dehumidifier to regulate and lower those humidity levels.

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