Protect your flooring from humidity as the weather warms up!
Spring and summer are full of surprises as the weather warms up. But one surprise you might not be happy to see is the humidity messing with your gorgeous hardwood floors. Here’s what you can do to prevent damage to your hardwood floors from the humidity!
Managing Temperatures
First of all, you should do everything you can to manage internal temperatures inside your home. When you have hardwood floors, they do best at temperatures between 60 degrees Fahrenheit and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. However, the temperature alone isn’t an indication of how humid it is inside your house. You should try to keep the humidity low, somewhere in the range of 30 to 50%. Doing this might not have been a problem over the winter, but as spring steadily rolls into summer, you will start to feel a noticeable difference.
The more humid the air gets, the more moisture there will be. Sadly, your hardwood floors will absorb moisture whenever it can. Moisture damage can result in cupping and buckling, both of which will affect the beauty and longevity of the hardwood. You can use a hydrometer to keep track of how humid it is inside and use a dehumidifier that you can move around your home as necessary.
Preventing Cupping
If your hardwood starts to show signs of cupping, then it’s possible that there’s too much humidity. This increased humidity could be present in your attic, your basement, or in whichever room features the hardwood. Leaks can often make this worse. If you find a leak, don’t wait – just go ahead and fix it. If the ductwork under your floors is to blame, then you should consider adding an extra layer of insulation.
Don’t forget to move the dehumidifier around your home. It will work more effectively if it has access to more areas. Even when you do make these changes, you might not see results until several weeks later. If you still have concerns, then please don’t hesitate to get in touch with the experts at Jason Brown Wood Floors!
Hardwood Flooring Installation and Maintenance 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.
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