Hardwood Floor Issues

 
Cupping and crowning are common complaints that develop with high humidity. Both problems occur across the width of the flooring material.

Cupping is when the edges of a board are higher than the center. It can occur after water spills onto the floor and is absorbed by the wood, but high humidity is more often the cause. If the wood expands significantly, compression can result as the boards are crushed together, deforming the boards at the edges.

Cupping is caused by a moisture imbalance throughout the thickness of the wood: the wood is wetter on the bottom of the board than on the top. The moisture imbalance can be proven by taking moisture readings at different pin depths.
 

Hardwood floor humidity controls

 
A homeowner who chooses hardwood flooring is making an investment that will last 40 years or more, and he or she should protect that investment by installing humidity controls – a tool that helps the floor maintain a beautiful, trouble-free appearance.
 

Cracks and separations between boards

 
Nearly every floor endures some separation between boards. In winter, when homes are heated and the air is dry, wood flooring gives up some of its moisture and therefore shrinks.