How Increased Humidity Affects Your Wood Floors

How Increased Humidity Affects Your Wood Floors

July 4, 2022  |  floor maintainence, hardwood floors, Humidity, Summer Months
Wood flooring

Summer is in full force and with it comes increased humidity.  

 

Hardwood floor owners beware! Increased humidity can have some undesirable (and often disastrous) effects on wood flooring.  

 

But before you panic, there is good news! There are many different ways to mitigate the ill effects of humidity on your hardwood floors.  

 

Keep reading to find out how to save your hardwood floors from irreparable damage this summer. 

 

Save Your Hardwood Floors from Humidity This Summer 

 

You probably know that summer brings increased humidity, but if your wood is warping and you don't know why then that is a clear sign that you are not doing enough to protect your hardwood floors.  

 

Here’s what you need to know. 

 

Hardwood Floors are Hygroscopic 

 

Before you do anything, you need to understand that wood is a hygroscopic material.  

 

In short, this means that wood either absorbs or expels moisture based on the relative humidity in the space it inhabits.  

 

This means that in humid environments wood will take in water and expand and in dry environments, it will expel water and contract.  

 

Obviously, expansion and contraction are not good for your floors for several reasons. On the top of the list is that expanding and contracting floors will push into one another when it is humid and leave gaps when the air dries out.  

 

If your home’s humidity drops below 30% you will notice your hardwood planks start to shrink and gaps will form between the panels.  

 

Likewise, if the humidity in your home rises above 50%, your floorboards will expand and if they start to press into each other, they will warp, cup, crown, or even twist.  

 

For this reason, it is important to carefully monitor your home’s humidity, especially during summer.  

 

Keep Your Home’s Humidity Under 50% in the Summer Months 

 

As we said above, if your home’s humidity rises above 50% you will notice your floorboards will start to press together as they absorb moisture. You will notice the small gaps between boards start to shrink or disappear altogether.  

 

Your air conditioning will take care of some of this humidity by itself, but in some cases that is not enough.  

 

If you have hardwood in your basement, this can be a major concern as subterranean areas tend to have the most moisture.  

 

If you are noticing that your home's humidity is consistently over 50% this summer, then the best course of action is to place a dehumidifier in those rooms that have hardwood floors.  

 

Another tool you can use is a thermo-hydrometer. This tool will help keep you informed on humidity changes in your home. Not only will it help protect your floors, but a thermo-hydrometer also helps ensure that you are comfortable as well. 

 

Take Care of Your Floors This Summer 

 

Keeping your floors safe from humidity can be a difficult job, especially if your home runs on the humid side or you have hardwood floors in your basement.  

 

If you are experiencing chronic problems with humidity in your home, then a dehumidifier is probably the best option. A thermos-hydrometer can provide extra help as well.  

 

If your hardwood floors have been warped by excess humidity, then there is little you can do to save them. Damaged wood will need to be replaced. 

 

If you have noticed damage to your hardwood, or it is time for an upgrade in your home’s style, then the time is right to reach out to a Step Above Flooring.  

 

From A Step Above, we understand that your home is as unique as you are. That’s why you can’t just go with any flooring.  

 

A Step Above Flooring is committed to helping you find the floors that are a perfect fit for your home.  

 

Ready to take the next step? Reach out to A Step Above Flooring today!