Handyman in Regina: How Humidity Damages Hardwood Flooring

Summer is here, and that means the humid season is upon us. Elevated levels of moisture in the air may be affecting your hardwood flooring in Regina. Look for these three signs of damage. Learn what you may be able to about it on your own, and if that fails, call us if you need a handyman near me. 

1. Cupping

This can occur when moisture migrates into your hardwood from a crawlspace, basement, or water table. Notice how the ends of the plank board become higher than the middle of the board, thus creating a cup or bowl shape. Wood needs to find its healthy balance of relative humidity. When new water is introduced to the wood, it expands and reshapes itself to try to find a new balance. This is a natural process, but you need your wood to be flat and stable, regardless of natural fluctuations. 

2. Crowning

Crowning is similar to cupping, but physically the opposite is happening. Instead of the edges rising up and creating a depression in the middle of the board, crowning happens when the middle of the board has a bubble that arcs downward toward the edges. This could be caused by too much sanding or treating the wood too soon after it has recovered from cupping. 

3. Cracking

Moisture and humidity can cause great fluctuations in air pressure and structural integrity. Similar to the Earth’s crust during an earthquake or volcano, if too much pressure builds up underneath or within your hardwood boards, they will begin to press against each other and crack. Unfortunately, once the pressure dissipates, the crack is still there, which can invite further moisture problems and attract dirt to fall inside. This also creates a safety hazard for children, pets, or those walking with bare feet. 

Preventing Humidity Damage to Your Flooring in Regina

If you notice cupping or crowning, find the root cause of the problem as soon as you can. Consider using fans or dehumidifiers to try to help the wood return to its rightful place again. If your wood has cracked, you can fill the crack with wood putty, then use fine sandpaper to help it match the original surface. 

You may also consider these proactive prevention strategies to protect your hardwood floor before problems occur: 

• When it is raining or snowing outside, make sure you take off your shoes and not track water through the house.
• Select a high-quality hardwood that is engineered for all seasons and temperature changes.
• During the installation process, leave a strategic gap around the perimeter of your floor, then cover it with baseboards.
• If you go on vacation, leave the A/C running in the house to maintain a constant temperature and humidity level.
• Regularly clean your hardwood with a soft cloth and a chemical solution designed for your wood.

Professional Flooring Repair and Installation

Handyman Connection can be a great help to you when deciding what to do about your hardwood floor. If your hardwood is moisture-damaged beyond repair, we will be able to explain the situation and recommend affordable and reliable replacement flooring. Not all rooms have to be done at the same time. We can easily fix only the room that has the damage and save the rest for later. 

Get an estimate with us today, and our customer service experts will walk you through each step of the process. The biggest challenge when hiring a contractor is knowing you have someone you can trust. At Handyman Connection, all of our technician’s complete annual background checks, and all of our work is guaranteed in writing.