Humidity can have a significant impact on the condition of your hardwood floors
Natural hardwood floors enhance the look and feel of any home. However, investing in engineered hardwood floors for your home comes with the responsibility of maintaining them. Now that summer is ending and winter is on its way, it is a good time to prepare your hardwood floors. Humidity can have a significant impact on the condition of your hardwood floors. Luckily, there are some ways you can protect your hardwood floors from humidity damage. Read on to learn more.
Dry Weather
When the air is dryer during the winter, many people tend to turn up the heat to keep their homes warm. This lowers the relative humidity in your home. As a result, your hardwood floors may begin to shrink or contract. This can lead to gapping in between the wood planks. Some gapping is normal, especially if you live in an area with dry winters, but when air is too dry, it can cause the wood to shrink further, resulting in serious damage. Dry air can also make wood brittle, which can lead to cracks or splinters. If you notice any extreme gapping or cracks in your floors, you should call a professional.
Protecting Against Dryness
In order to maintain adequate humidity levels in your home, it is recommended that you use a humidifier in the winter. Wood and electric stoves can also contribute to dryness in your home, so make sure the humidifier is on when you’re cooking.
Humid Weather
When there is excess moisture in your home, your hardwood floors can absorb it, causing them to expand. Due to this swelling, pressure can build between the planks and can lead to cracking in extreme cases. High humidity can also cause the boards to warp or buckle completely. Be aware of any imperfections or signs of moisture damage in your floors and call a professional if necessary.
Protecting Against Moisture
Moisture is your hardwood floor’s worst enemy. Make sure you use your air conditioner and humidifier to keep a balanced humidity level in your home. Also, avoid allowing water to sit on the floor and do not use any water-based cleaning products.
Hardwood Flooring from Jason Brown Wood Floors
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Abingdon showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, Mirka, Makita, Saw Stop , and Grex
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