Humidity Effects on Hardwood Floors in Stephens City, VA; Ideal Room Temperature & More

With the spring and summer rain comes a lot of humidity. Many are surprised to learn just how much humidity can affect your hardwood floor including the damage it can do. Humidity can cause hardwood floors to expand and contract. During expansion, the wood panels will press together and cause cupping, which is when the edges meet together and bubble upwards. To help prevent your hardwood floors from suffering the changes humidity can produce, Mikes Custom Flooring will share how to prevent cupping and manage the humidity inside your home.

Ideal Room Temperature

When you decided to install hardwood floor inside your home, you should’ve been given all the basic care and maintenance requirements for the wood. One essential part of caring for hardwood floors is maintaining the temperature inside your home. Each type of hardwood will vary, but most wood does well in 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. With temperature control, you will also want to control the inside humidity as well. Humidity inside a home should range between 30% and 50%. The major problem with humidity control is that most people don’t notice the change in humidity since it creeps in very slowly. As spring time arrives, and especially summer, the humidity can reach over 50% very easily in Virginia. Since wood absorbs moisture in the air, it can result in cupping or even bulking in hardwood floors. It is recommended to keep a Hydrometer inside your home to monitor the humidity inside and use a dehumidifier when necessary.

Dangers of Hardwood Floor Cupping Damage

If you’ve begun to see cupping occurring in your hardwood floor, your wood is getting too much humidity exposure. A sudden increase in humidity could indicate a leak in the attic, basement or even near a bathroom and laundry room—anywhere water and heat can create access humidity quickly. Locate the cause of the leak or source of the humidity and make any repair to prevent further problems. Make sure to use the dehumidifier if your floors are exposed to high humidity.

Repairing Hardwood Floor Cupping

In most cases you will want to use a professional to help repair cupping or bulking if it occurs in your hard wood floor. However, some may feel like it is a task they can manage themselves. When cupping occurs the wood floor will need to be stripped and sanded down until the cupping is gone and the edges are even with the rest of the floor. After the wood has been sanded, the stain and sealer is reapplied. It may sound simple but it is important that the sanding is done correctly or the entire for can be damaged beyond repair. Repairing bulking isn’t always easy either. When bulking occurs, the hardwood panels will need to be readjusted to meet correctly. In most cases, it is better to replace the area affected with bulking. If the entire floor is affected, you may need to replace your entire floor. However seek the aid of a professional hardwood floor installer. They will be able to determine if the cupping or bulking can be repaired or if it is best to replace the floor.

Hardwood Floor Installation, Refinishing & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA

Work hard to prevent humidity inside your home. Along with regular cleaning, maintenance, and care, your hardwood floor will last years, even decades. If you need help repair or installing hardwood floors in your home, contact Mikes Custom Flooring today.

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