( Located in the 42nd Street Station Mall )
Hardwood flooring is loved for its durability and ease of maintenance. Additionally, a hardwood floor boosts your space's curb appeal, and unlike carpet, the floor does not trap dust, which translates to healthier living.
Nonetheless, despite the fantastic upsides of hardwood flooring, that does not make it damage-proof. And among the common threatening factors to hardwood flooring is relative humidity. Discover what relative humidity is, how it can affect your floor, and how to prevent those issues.
Also known as RH, relative humidity compares the water vapor in the air to what the air can hold at specific temperatures. For example, if the RH is 55%, the air in that space contains 55% water vapor at the given temperature.
Ideally, the suitable RH for hardwood floors ranges between 30-50%, meaning that if the relative humidity level goes below 30% or above 50%, your floor is at risk of damage.
As mentioned earlier, relative humidity, when lower or higher than the ideal range, can damage your hardwood floor. Here are some of the damages that certain levels of relative humidity can create.
Too much humidity causes the hardwood floor to expand. Consequently, the floorboard may press or rub against each other due to the limited space, and the extra pressure may cause the boards to split and crack.
If some areas on your hardwood floor appear bent or raised more than others, that may signify a buckling problem. This damage occurs when the wood floor absorbs moisture, especially if the relative humidity is higher than the suitable level.
The absorbed moisture causes wood expansion, thus the raised floor. And when the humidity level drops, the floor also drops to its initial position, creating a gap between the underneath space and the wood. This problem causes the floor to bend or buckle to give way under force when you walk on it.
Unlike cracking and buckling, which result from high humidity levels, gapping signifies extremely low RH levels. This relative humidity drop results in dry air, causing the wood floor to shrink.
The shrinkage leaves gaps between the floorboards and creates a safety hazard. The gaps may disappear once the humidity levels rise to the normal range. If not, you may need a hardwood flooring expert to fill the gaps before the damage escalates.
Cupping is when the flooring's plank edge appears more raised than the center. The damage happens when there is too much moisture beneath the floor, such as the crawlspace or basement, and that moisture moves upwards to the floor's surface.
On the other hand, crowning occurs when the middle or center of the flooring's plank is higher than the edge. The issue may result from moisture sitting on the floorboard too long or if the flooring installer did not wait to sand the floor after cupping.
Now that you understand how relative humidity affects hardwood floors, you are better positioned to protect this investment from moisture damage. For example, if the water vapor in your space exceeds 50%, you can use a dehumidifier to stabilize the humidity levels. In the same way, keep the HVAC running and ensure your building has sufficient ventilation.
Additionally, mind your floor cleaning technique to avoid leaving moisture on the floor surface for too long; use a damp cleaning cloth on the floor rather than a soaked one. Most importantly, work with an experienced hardwood flooring contractor for correct installation. The specialist must leave adequate room for floorboard expansion to avoid cracks.
You can trust us at Rejuvenation Floor & Design for all your hardwood flooring needs. We have extensive experience and skills to offer quality services and advise you on how to care for your floor and protect it from humidity damage. Contact us today to book a consultation.
Phone: (503) 989-8997
Flooring Showroom: 2000 NE 42nd Ave #B
( Located in the 42nd Street Station Mall )
Portland, Oregon 97213-1357
Mon - Fri: 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
RGC - Residential General Contractor License: 189522
General Contractor License: REJUVCL901DW
Certified Lead-Based Paint Renovation (LBPR)
WA UBI License: 602997950
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Beaverton | Canby | Clackamas | Damascus | Estacada | Gladstone | Gresham | Lake Oswego | Milwaukie | Oregon City | Sandy | Scappoose | Sherwood | St. Helens | Tigard | Tualatin | Welches | Wilsonville | Zig Zag
Beaverton | Canby | Clackamas | Damascus | Estacada | Gladstone | Gresham | Lake Oswego | Milwaukie | Oregon City | Sandy | Scappoose | Sherwood | St. Helens
Tigard | Tualatin | Welches | Wilsonville | Zig Zag