Summer on the East Coast is synonymous with humidity!
The weather here in Maryland is really heating up and summer is almost here. Summer on the East Coast is synonymous with humidity! Those hazy, humid Maryland summers can really do a number on your home’s hardwood floors. Here are some types of moisture damage to look out for in your hardwood floors.
Crowning
Crowning is when the center of your flooring planks rises above the sides, creating a curved, arch-like shape. It frequently occurs if hardwood floors are sanded too soon after cupping. Be sure your floors are totally back to normal before attempting to sand or refinish them.
Cracking
In some cases, the humidity or other excessive moisture can get bad enough that it damages the structure of the planks and they can crack. The moisture causes the wood to swell. When the planks push against each other, the force can cause them to crack.
Cupping
If the edges of your hardwood planks are becoming higher than the center, this is known as cupping. Cupping hardwood floors is almost always caused by humidity, but it can also be caused by excessive moisture from other sources, such as a spill that wasn’t dealt with properly or a plumbing leak.
Buckling
Buckling is the most extreme type of moisture damage that can occur in hardwood floors. Fortunately, it is pretty uncommon because it really only happens when the flooring is totally flooded. When wood floors are buckled, you will see entire sections of the floor totally pull away from the subfloor, sometimes as much as several inches. While they may eventually shrink back to normal, the structure of the actual planks is almost always damaged beyond repair.
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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