Moisture Problems - Part 1

It’s not a secret – Wood and Water do not mix. Moisture is The Number One cause of problems for hardwood flooring. There are many reasons for this. However, there are steps that an installer and homeowner can take to prevent a lot of the problems caused by moisture.

Why do moisture problems exist?
Trees grow with roots in the ground and leaves in the air. The roots collect water/moisture and nutrients from the soil and send through fibers up the tree and out to the branches and leaves. So a tree is made up of vertically-aligned fibers but once the tree is cut down, the fibers become horizontal. The wood fibers of a manufactured floor board are also horizontal, running the length of the board. A live tree is full of moisture, keeping it alive. Once the tree is cut down, the wood starts to dry out as the moisture evaporates. This causes the fibers to shrink – in diameter/thickness, not lengthwise. This is the critical point in understanding the effect moisture has on wood. Wood will lose or gain moisture until it is in equilibrium with the humidity and temperature of the air. Also worth noting, protective coatings cannot prevent wood from gaining or losing moisture, they only slow the process.

Results of Moisture Problems
Occurring mainly in the Spring and Summer, the air inside is more humid than during drier months in the Fall and Winter. Wood flooring will absorb the moisture in the air and expand.

In Parts 2 and 3 of Moisture Problems, we'll provide more details about Cupping, Crowning, and Buckling. We'll also discuss some prevention and resolution if you do happen to be a victim of Moisture. Stay tuned!