There can be numerous causes to cupping, including an excessive level of relative humidity, relative humidity migrating from a basement or crawl space, water infiltration, etc. Below are the most common reasons for wood floor buckling: Humidity. This is a unique situation that requires careful consideration to properly answer. If problems with high humidity in the crawlspace or basement under your house persist, consider closing up all vents and installing a dehumidifier under the house or conditioning the space under the house. Specifically, peaking is an expansion problem. I learn new information from your article , you are doing a great job . Buckling is one of the most extreme reactions to moisture that can occur with hardwood flooring. Some cupping is normal especially with wider boards and not considered a wood flooring problem. Your hardwood floor during the Humid Season. Thanks. It’s in front of the AC closet ( was ) . Do you have any idea what else I can do to stop this phenomenon? It will then take some time for the wood flooring to get back to its normal internal humidity balance and shape. The City Inspector told us to tear out the insulation under the house…. If the flooring cups up (in a “U” shape on top), the humidity in the crawlspace or basement is much higher than that inside your house. When extensive moisture or humidity causes the wood to expand significantly, adjoining boards start pressing against each other. The middle of the board is higher than the board’s edges. Relative humidity that is too high may have health effects due to mold growth, dust mite infestations, as well as certain bacteria and viruses. By May I was having a problem with the floor, wavy in some areas and actually buckling in one room. All floor is throughout the unit is buckled. It most often occurs when a floor has been sanded too soon after cupping. What kind of wood floor solution do you recommend? can you Help ? Proper humidity level for your hardwood floor. The flooring should read about 7-9% moisture. This problem is particularly pronounced during a hot, humid summer or cold, dry winter. When a wood plank cups, its edges become higher than its centre. Backed by his 40-year remodeling career, Danny served as the home improvement expert for CBS’s The Early Show and The Weather Channel for more than a decade. We removed 10’x10′ section of the floor. Usually problems with buckling or cupping in a wood floor are caused by excessive humidity inside or under your house. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) lists indoor air quality among its top environmental health threats. Top only. Chance of success? My wood floors often luck dull and around some furniture almost like a powder dust forms around legs or surface of couch or chairs? These changes can also present a less-than-desirable change in the appearance of your wood flooring. Have new construction house on slab with engineered hard wood clued down. Both problems are usually because of water damage. Once all is dry, insulation can be done with one … Once humidity levels rise again, the hardwood floor will expand and most gaps will close up again. Usually problems with buckling or cupping in a wood floor are caused by excessive humidity inside or under your house. Yes, manufacturers have developed different types of hardwood floor constructions to “improve and control” the wood natural reaction to changes in humidity. Acacia wood flooring is usually hardy and not easily damaged by various environments. It’s the same as for us. The humidity inside the home should be kept in a range, if possible. Hi , We have a Problem that at least 6 people cannot Solve ! That is why all homeowners should own a hygrometer to measure the temperature and relative humidity (RH), and be sure to respect the guidelines above. 2. With the hot, humid weather that South Carolina and particularly Myrtle Beach and the Grand Strand experiences every summer, the problems are compounded. . 3 summers in a row since we’re in and Zero winters. Recommendations on humidity level will vary depending on the Lauzon floor you have. This sometimes happens when there’s been a flood that has seeped into the floor. Materials like wood will balance (equilibrate) its MC with its surroundings, similar to the principle of osmosis. It is your responsibility to make sure you have a stable environment in your home, even when the home is unoccupied. It is also important to note that there are also other causes possible for buckling or cupping, some of them can be installation related. But if the wood shrinks too much, it won’t be able to fully expand again, causing permanent damage. Fluctuation in humidity levels can affect hardwood floors. You have entered an incorrect email address! I can feel the difference in the level of the floor at these points. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Hi Priscilla! Consider installing a dehumidifier if the above suggestions are not enough to lower the humidity level under 60%. The humidity there has remained at 50 percent. The floors were put down in the dead of winter (January) and the humidity in my house was very low. To discover how Lauzon is going the extra mile for your health, by purifying indoor air with our Pure Genius hardwood floors, click here. This is why at Lauzon, we have developed three different types of hardwood flooring constructions allowing you to enjoy the beauty of hardwood floors no matter where you live. Thank You , Hobart L. Williams. Did you ever think about how these living conditions and changing humidity levels inside your home can affect your beautiful new hardwood floor? – Buckling: However, the most common cause of cupping wood floors is due to humidity being trapped in the wood from below. We wrote a blog to offer you our best tips for your hardwood floor cleaning routine. Article on our blog that explains how can humidity affect your floor: Fiberglass batts used as insulation on a floor over a vented crawlspace traps moisture that is drawn in by this temperature difference! If you are looking for maximum performance during humidity changes, take a look at our Expert ¾ construction, which was developed to meet contractors’ needs. If wood floors are placed directly on concrete with no vapor barrier installed underneath, humidity will pass through the porous concrete. We could possibly get you Media Coversge ? We recently had a complete kitchen remodel and installed oak cross-cut hardwood floors. You give lot of great information and points of views. I hope the floor gaps close. Love your show! If the humidity level inside or under the house is much lower than the wood flooring was acclimatized to when it was installed, the flooring may shrink and leave gaps between the boards. For aesthetic purposes, they are usually covered with baseboards. Greatly appreciated. Thank you. Solid wood flooring moves constantly as the humidity level changes – expanding when the humidity is high and contracting when the humidity is low. It doesn’t go up and down it is like that all the time, winter or summer. Water damage can have severe consequences that results in wood floor swelling or buckling from the humidity. However, it’s susceptible to buckling when exposed to certain conditions or if produced the wrong way. Is there a size plank 3-1/4 or 5-3/6, that would handle humidity challenges better? Second floor also failing with cupping over 65% of floor. Help. where we previously had a tile floor. It is important to be aware that none of the damage caused by humidity variations is covered by any hardwood floor warranty. I still have a cracking noise this winter. Concrete slab, moister barrier, 2×12 flooring joist, 3/4″ subfloor, underlayment and 3/4″ hardwood floor. The subfloor under vapor barrier is wet and some areas are rotted. Crowning is the opposite of cupping. The excess moisture at the back of the board works its way to the surface and as it moves through the board the floor develops higher edges giving it a cupped appearance. We hired 2 different HVAC companies the First One was “ supposed “ Replace the duct work in The attic. Relative Humidity (RH) levels inside your home should be kept between 35% and 65%, overdry (below 35% RH) conditions should be avoided and using a “moisture barrier” adhesive is recommended should you be installing on a concrete subfloor. It happens when the floor expands beyond expansion gaps and literally pulls away from the subfloor, as high as several inches. Can the hardwood floor buckle and cup because the ac is set at a cooler temp, around 69-72? I have completely encapsulated my crawl space this last fall and have a dehumidifier in my crawl space. Danny. www.flooring.org/blog/how-to-repair-buckled-hardwood-flooring The ideal relative humidity for your health and comfort is about 40-50%. I am looking for options & estimates to address the cold floor caused by a crawl space. While humidity may be low in winters, they level rises up n summer month that may end up accumulating to a level then makes the wood floor to swell up, creating pressure between the planks and finally raising up or buckling. Hardwood floors can also buckle in excessively humid environments. – Splits & Checks Cupping occurs when the moisture content of the bottom surface of the flooring is greater than the moisture content at the face of the boards. Now scheduled for third round of flooring. I have hickory floors. Best of luck finding your dream engineered hardwood flooring! Luckily, there is an easy solution to dealing with swollen hardwood floors. When this happens, the top edges of the board are sanded off and are therefore lower than the rest of the board when returning to a normal moisture content. Your hardwood floor is made of… wood. Buckled Hardwood Floors. Poor installation is the most common reason that wood flooring peaks. Use bathroom vent fans (vented to the outside) during and for 10-15 minutes after showering or bathing. One of the reasons for this is that the bottom layers are made of cross-sided layers that move on opposite sides. High Humidity Causes Buckling, Warping & Other Damage of Hardwood Floors Humidity is essentially warm moisture. The idea RH level is zero, so when the moisture content causes it … I have had 3 Heart Surgeries, 2 Brain Surgeries in the past 6 months. We have floating wood floor over concrete install about 7 years ago and we getting some bouncing spots never washed with water. Your email address will not be published. – Choose a good quality engineered hardwood floor that will fit with your needs. We are Heartbroken. Everything we need to know are found in this article. This winter we noticed gaps. We have had a lot of rain & very high temperatures. High levels of humidity can cause hardwood flooring to expand significantly, sometimes causing the affected boards to lose their structural integrity and crack. Both cupping and crowning are natural reactions to moisture and should not be of concern if they occur only to a minor extent. To fix peaked or buckled wood floors, it’s essential to understandwhat causes the wood to warp. As you can see, engineered wood flooring is more stable than solid wood flooring. What do I use to remove the old tape without damaging my stairs, Make sure there is adequate ventilation in the crawlspace under your house (1 square-foot of vent space per 150 square feet of crawlspace). And wood is a natural material that reacts to changes in its environment even after it has been transformed into flooring. Humidity is another issue that impacts on hardwood floor. I would add 2 quick points in this climate to your guidelines – For buckling to occur the floor has to gain moisture, expand and meet a location(s) that prevents it from expanding; this may be a wall, column, doorway or any other vertical object that prevents the floor from expanding. We have Spent every dime & had several opinions… NO ONE can Give us an ANSWER ? Different type of engineered hard wood, same moisture resistant adhesive. I am Priscilla, Lauzon Flooring Brand Manager. Cupping occurs in solid wood flooring as a result of an elevated MC in the bottom of the flooring compared with the MC of the face. © 2020 Today’s Homeowner Media. Back to Wood Floor Fitting Moisture And Humidity - Important Factors Before Floor Fitting . Need your help. Q: I recently moved into a newly built log home in Northeast Ohio. I am really happy to say it’s an interesting post to read . please visit. We are Devastated, this was Supposed to be our Last home & our Grandchild’s Forever Home …. – Be aware that wood stoves and electric heat tend to create very dry conditions, so make sure to use your humidifier when these are on. I just wanted to say that I have fallen in love with your oak natural designer collection flooring. Once the humidity levels off and temperatures cool, moisture in the wood is absorbed into the atmosphere. We consult on many houses that have moisture problems that result in buckled floors! During warm and humid summers, your hardwood floor will absorb moisture from the air, swelling and expanding as a result. – Relative humidity levels of 35-55% – Lauzon solid hardwood floors. – Maintain proper humidity levels with an air conditioner, dehumidifier or by turning on your heating system periodically during the summer months. Some moisture-related problems are visible to the discerning eye. Humidity in Florida is a fact of life, though I plan on doing everything recommended including getting a hygrometer. Relative humidity settings that are too low may cause respiratory infections, allergic rhinitis and asthma. Wood floors contract and expand depending on the humidity in your home, the temperature, and the weather. According to Claudette Reichel, LSU AgCenter housing specialist and director of LaHouse Home and Landscape Resource Center, raised floor homes are the most affected during summer with wood … – Relative humidity levels of 35-65% – Other Lauzon engineered hardwood floors If the humidity level is much higher or lower inside your house compared to under it, it can lead to the boards cupping. Thank you. Any advice is appreciated. Please use this form to contact Danny Lipford, America’s Home Expert, directly: https://todayshomeowner.com/radio/ask-questions/ (You can just copy and paste what you have included here; no need to type it all out again.) went from 6 inch to 8 inch & Better insulated . It was a very useful information, thank you for sharing. It’s like walking on a trampoline. Should cupping occur, it’s important to quickly identify the root cause in order to rectify the situation. – Gapping While humidity level rises in summer, it is very low in the winter. High Humidity. Since the Duct Work was replaced with 8 inch , the problem became a little worse ?? I am a Disabled Senior Veteran & was Just able to purchase ( what I thougt ) was our Dream Home ! Floor replaced with same type flooring using special moisture resistant adhesive. The buckling of wooden floors is also usual in high humid environments. Can keeping the temperature-in the moist Louisiana summer with 95deg, 99% humidity- in your house we so cold (67deg) that the outside of the doors sweat outside, double insulated windows sweat outside, and could it make the un-insulated 70 years old wood floors sweat so bad some boards cup or warp and discolor? The appartment is six years old. Thanks, what an informative post! If the humidity level inside or under the house is much higher than the wood flooring was acclimatized to when it was installed, it can cause the boards to expand and buckle. Take care. In some instances, the use of fans and/or dehumidifiers might be necessary to bring everything back to normal. From Portland, Oregon to Portland, Maine, one can experience high humidity in every state. Can this be repaired. This can cause gaps to appear in between the planks. – Relative humidity levels of 30-80% – Expert engineered Lauzon hardwood floors Considering this during the installation process is … The paper will curl up away from the water. The lumber people are balking at replacing floor. This is why hardwood is not recommended for small, windowless bathrooms or kitchens. Whether your hardwood floor is made of solid or engineered wood, it is bound to react to moisture so ensure you take the precautionary measures to prevent cupping. My apartment unit is built on top of concrete slab with garage under. The moisture of the concrete is around 7.1. There is small amount of buckling in a few places where the noise is most noticeable. Buckling is one of the most extreme reactions to moisture that can occur with hardwood flooring. Four years ago, we removed the carpeting in our family room and had it replaced with oak cross-cut hardwood flooring. If you have some time, you can also visit us in Wood Floor Planet . Your flooring is beautiful. So if the air is humid, the wood will absorb more moisture from the air and it will swell. All rights reserved. The preferred moisture content is 12 percent moisture or less, measured with a quality wood moisture meter. Make sure there isn’t any standing water in the crawlspace or basement under your house caused by plumbing leaks or drainage problems. Do you recommend keeping the AC off until we see the floor regain its moisture and then once gaps close ensure the humidity is properly controlled? Danny, as you know I am an insulation contractor (& trained as a HERS Energy Rater), in your hometown of Mobile, Al one of the wettest humid cities in the country! Make sure the clothes dryer vent is unobstructed and vents outside your house. https://www.reallycheapfloors.com/blog/solid-vs-engineered-hardwood/ I have used sticky carpet tape to tape down stairs carpet on my vinyl/wood stairs. – Cupping: Every Summer when we use the AC the wood floor humps up to the point , it is a Trip hazard ! More severe cases, however, indicate a serious moisture problem. I feel like I have tried everything on the market! To put it into perspective, the humidity levels in Florida frequently hover in the high 90% range while the humidity in Las Vegas can go as low as 18%. Why Wood Floors Buckle: Buckling occurs when the flooring separates or lifts from the sub-floor. Once the humidity drops, the floor may shrink back, but it is possible that you may see spaces between the wood boards. Hi, – If you are a “snowbird” and leave your home unoccupied for weeks at a time, make sure to always keep temperature and relative humidity at recommended level. Thank you for your comment! The majority of the problems plaguing a wooden floor are related to moisture. In our den and our master bedroom there is one spot in both rooms where the hardwood floor has raised a little bit like a bump. Priscilla. Seal the walls and floor of your basement with a waterproof sealer, or cover the ground in the crawlspace with thick (6-mil or more) plastic sheeting. Controlling the humidity through fans and ventilation may alleviate the problem, but if the buckling causes the boards to … Primarily, wood flooring problems can occur when the wood expands and contracts. 1. Thanks, In 99.9% of the cases the problems of cupping and buckling of hardwood flooring are caused by excessive humidity. Is this covered by homeowners insurance. It only happens in the summer. Reasons for hardwood buckling during summer . The boards themselves may split, check or crack in the centre or at the ends, or both, along the grain, damaging the finish. There were a number of innovative new bathroom fixtures on display at the Kitchen and Bath Industry Show (KBIS) including streamlined faucets from Kohler and hand blown glass faucets from Danze. Indoor air humidity level must be in the range of 50-70%, and air temperature should be kept in the range of 65°F - 75°F. During the winter, when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood flooring loses some of its moisture and contracts or shrinks as a result. Could moister do the damage that severe? It has been two full winters since the floors were installed. Buckling. I live in Florida and am considering your Reserva Pure Genius Nextstep Engineered White Oak. And wood is a natural material that reacts to changes in its environment even after it has been transformed into flooring. Keep it up. People may do a great job of upgrading their energy efficiency, then many can & do keep their home COLDER. My sister has been telling me about how she wants to get a hardwood floor installed in the coming weeks. I would suggest you visit one of our retailer to get this type of expertise, they will be more than happy to help you with this. We’re sorry to hear about this situation, and how devastated it makes you and your wife feel. Especially in small and windowless parts of your house, like the bathroom and kitchen. It’s Not really an attic , the ceilings were lowered in the hall to be able to run duct work , it’s Almost. Wood, including the planks that make up the wood flooring in a gymnasium, absorbs and expels moisture depending on the humidity levels and temperature of the surrounding air. It happens when the floor expands beyond expansion gaps and literally pulls away from the subfloor, as high as several inches. So if it is installed at 10 percent and then absorbs moisture so that it increases up to 13 percent, the wood will swell and the planks will widen. The wood contracts as it … Now I want to replace the sticky tape. Our house is 31 years old and was built with oak cross-cut hardwood floors in our living room and dining room. nice and concise information about wooden flooring! Having gaps between your wood planks is normal, and a homeowner should be prepared for it to occur. – During winter: It may need to be between 30-40% to prevent condensation on your windows and other surfaces. In case the floor was not … In extreme cases, this increased pressure can cause the affected boards to lose their structural integrity and crack. Photo 2:  Beachwood, White Oak, Hamptons Series, Hello and welcome to Art From Nature. It’s good to know that your floor could buckle if it expands and then shrinks back when the humidity drops. Whether you’re looking for cosmetic repairs, such as fixing water stains or scratches, or more intricate repairs due to damage from lack of humidity control, such as cupping, buckling, gapping, squeaking, or even mold and water damage, Wall 2 Wall Hardwood Floors is here to help with your repair needs. Keep your indoor humidity levels between 40-60%. Very fast services & This is very nice and very informative article. Being always shaded and usually below grade, a crawlspace is naturally cooler than the outside air. Your hardwood floor during the dry season. – Clean your hardwood floor with a cloth lightly dampened with a recommended hardwood floor cleaning product. I have a Brain Aneurysm, I had One knee replaced & can’t get my other knee replaced till my Heart Heals ( 1 year ) the floor is a trip Hazard & I can’t afford to Trip ! No drainage issues with landscaping or lot. During the different seasons, when exposed to certain atmospheric conditions it will shrink or expand regularly. There are three key components to healthy air: it must be fresh, clean, and have the proper humidity level. On a hot, humid day, the wood will absorb more moisture and expand. Hi, When humidity drops too low, the wood shrinks. Can you tell me some of the ways that the floors may cup due to the installers/installation? It is so pretty. Let’s face it, even though hardwood floors have a long shelf life, it doesn’t save them from problems that occur due to climatic conditions, humidity, and excessive wear and tear. If water droplets continually form on the surface of a wood floor without an apparent source, it could be an indication of excess moisture in the board. Run a properly sized air conditioner during hot, humid weather. Karla. Run a kitchen stove vent fan (vented to the outside) when cooking. Your wooden floor can absorb moisture from the air, and this will cause the wood to expand and to buckle. While that’s the most common cause, it’s not the only one. When the wood is faced with extreme conditions, it can be stressed beyond its limitations. First, thank you for your military service and for sharing your story with us. Follow along with me as this blog evolves into what I hope will be an interesting and inspiring journey. Although buckling hardwood floorboards form a peak, don’t confuse them with actual peaking, which is another problem entirely. As we just saw, however, this range can often be difficult to achieve in certain areas of the country during certain seasons. Over the last 2 years the floor has started buckling. Your hardwood floor is made of… wood! This has happened to a rental unit that I have. We hope you keep posting quality articles. This is a reaction due to a humidity level disproportion in the wood plank. Here is the link https://lauzonflooring.com/blog/6-ways-humidity-affect-hardwood-floor/. – Crowning: We were not on vacation this winter and it is already the end of April (still cool) and the floor gaps have not closed. This “wood movement” occurs naturally according to seasonal shifts or when ambient RH levels change in the home. However, it appears at first glance that it is actually the OSB subfloor that is pulling loose from the joists. Humidity and wood floors. Hardwood floors buckle when the humidity levels in the lower levels of the house are too high in the crawlspace or basement,” explains the Basement Health Association in the article Negative Effects on Hardwood Floors. Winter is right around the corner, and with winter comes snow and cold weather that will have you turning up the heat and enjoying nice evenings by the fire. Once the solution dries it still looks the same?! Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a70cc7ac42210ab004cdd98b4fc1a29f" );document.getElementById("eb5f45d876").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); https://lauzonflooring.com/locate-retailers/, https://lauzonflooring.com/blog/6-ways-humidity-affect-hardwood-floor/, https://lauzonflooring.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/lauzon-FAQ-SECTION-2-living-with-your-lauzon-hardwwod-floor-032019.pdf, https://www.reallycheapfloors.com/blog/solid-vs-engineered-hardwood/. Our hardwood floor in the kitchen has recently cupped. This is the basic reason why wood floors cup and buckle. It didn’t Work …. I am a young and curious woman passionate about home décor, healthy living, nature and all things wood – hardwood floors most definitely included! My mother tells me Danny’s on. I love it very much as well. On average in Virginia, the summertime humidity ranges between 55% to 80% which can become a major problem for those with wood floors. It’s possible that a nonpermeable housewrap was used behind your new siding, which is increasing the humidity level in your home; or that the siding covered up existing foundation vents under your home. We’re sure Danny can offer individual advice for this matter. We recommend submitting questions involving such matters to the Today’s Homeowner Radio Show. Beyond improper humidity levels in the crawlspace and basement, there are more potential … Will Lauzon hardwood floor re-expand (gaps close) if moisture is regained? Once the humidity drops, the floor may shrink back, but it is possible that you may see spaces between the wood boards. it was their opinion to add 8 inch duct , didn’t Work ?? But keeping humidity at the recommended level is still essential for keeping your hardwood floor looking great, as well as for a healthy home environment. If the air is dry, wood fibers will release some of its moisture back into the air and it can shrink back … Hi, There is no easy answer we could write here to this question. Keep humidity at the recommended level as much as possible to reduce cracking noise and buckling. Or if produced the wrong way have a problem with the floor encounters.. Forms around legs or surface of the wood to expand across the face of each.! We wrote a blog to offer you our best tips for your military service and for sharing no. In excessively humid environments but if the wood will always react in accordance to its surrounding environment for small windowless. Damage can have severe consequences that results in wood flooring problem 8 inch duct, ’. If it expands and then shrinks back when the home, sometimes causing the affected boards to warp cup! “ Replace the duct Work was replaced with 8 inch, the most extreme reactions to moisture is! 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Dad & bought for her to inherit a Single Dad & bought her! Winter, not more than 55 % in winter, not more than 55 % in summer )! Winter: it may need to be aware that none of the ways that the bottom are! – Avoid excessive exposure to water from tracking during periods of inclement weather “ wood floors buckling humidity one. Job of upgrading their energy efficiency, then many can & do keep their home COLDER was low... Only, keeping humidity in your home at the recommended level as much as to. Conditioner during hot, humid weather floorboards form a peak, don ’ t confuse with! Are not enough to lower the humidity drops, the hardwood floor Grandchild, our Son is a reaction to. Son is a Single Dad & bought for her to inherit, humidity will through. After it has been two full winters since the floors were put down in the wood to moisture... Or if produced the wrong way around 69-72 these points we recommend submitting questions such. Cup due to a rental unit that I have engineered hard wood same!