Moisture Problems - Part 3

Prevention is the Key
Acclimation of hardwood floors to the jobsite, proper moisture testing and control –before, during, and after installation- all play an important role in the results and performance you will see from your hardwood flooring. Most manufacturers suggest 40-55% relative humidity in your home to maintain and avoid any potential moisture problems. Stay well-ventilated in the hotter months so moisture can flow out of the house. Dehumidifiers may help. If relative humidity is not maintained, you could see shrinkage, buckling (swelling), or other sometimes-irreversible damage.
Never leave standing water. Clean up spills immediately. Fans may be needed to help dry out the flooring.

A damaged floor may need to be sanded, refinished or even replaced. Dry out the floor before you call for repairs. Many humidity problems are temporary so keep an eye on it.

Check out our Buyer's Guide: Seasonal Care for some prevention tips. Hardwood Floor Care will also give you some great maintenance do's and don'ts.

Contractor Responsibility

Hardwood flooring contractors work with a natural, infinitely variable, renewable product that has a warmth and beauty all its own.
This unique product can last a lifetime. What is the contractor’s role and responsibility when it comes to providing this lifetime product?

The contractor is obligated to know the product he is installing. He should be accountable for proper placement and installation, as well as the products requirements. Wood is a naturally dynamic and variable product, particularly sensitive to moisture. Each species, size, and construction type will react differently to moisture. A contractor should know the typical environmental conditions for the geographical area in which he is working, and how the flooring to be installed will react. A contractor should know if the product, as specified, is suitable for the intended use and application.

For example:

• A solid product should not be used below grade.
• A wide plank, or species with high expansion tendencies, should not be used with radiant floor heating or in areas with extreme moisture ranges.
• A close grained species, such as maple, should not be used with a dark stain finish.
• Flooring with a lot of character marks should not be used in a formal setting.
• Soft species should not be used in high traffic areas.

For acceptable product performance, and a long life, one should expect exceptional quality workmanship from his contractor. The contractor should also know what conditions are required for the flooring to produce the highest performance possible. Site conditions need to be evaluated, and inadequacies need to be discussed. This will allow the consumer to make the best decisions, and provide the best opportunity to have his or her expectations met.

All manufacturer’s installation instructions and applications should be followed, including using the appropriate tools and proper use of those tools. The contractor should know the specifics for each and every item. Contractors should not install a defective product.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, the contractor is responsible to produce quality work that will satisfy his customer.

As a consumer, do your research, and ask a lot of questions. The more knowledge you have, the more educated your decision will be. And in the end, you will have a hardwood floor that gives you a lifetime of pleasure.

For more information on getting the right floor and making it last, check out the Buyer’s guide at GateWoodFloors.com.