Whether you’re a long time Florida resident or a recent arrival, you’re experiencing the summer humidity. What you may not realize is that if you’re not taking care of your HVAC system, you flooring is also feeling the effects. We may think of humidity being uncomfortable for us and our pets but it can also take a toll on parts of our home.
Why Humidity Impacts Wood Flooring
Humidity is a measure of the moisture in the air. Moisture is water. Water is bad for wood. Have you ever noticed that in winter your hardwood flooring has small gaps between the boards that seem to disappear come summer? That’s because even with air conditioning, the humidity in our homes in summer is higher than in winter. Most HVAC systems keep your home’s humidity between 35% – 50%. Anything much above 55% for a prolonged time can lead to cupping or warping of wood floors.
If you notice cupping, warping or what appears to be water damage and know there hasn’t been water left on your flooring, chances are good you have one of two issues. Either the humidity in your home is excessive and you should have your HVAC system checked or there’s moisture coming up through your foundation or slab that’s impacting the wood flooring.
Installation Matters, So Choose the Right Flooring Company
This is why we share with homeowners the importance of choosing the right flooring company. A good flooring company will do two things prior to installation:
- Test your foundation or slab for its moisture content so they can install the right underlayment to protect your new hardwood flooring from moistures.
- Leave the wood in your home to acclimate for several days prior to installation.
You’ll likely find that a flooring company that does both of those things costs a bit more than one who doesn’t, however your wood floors will look better longer if they do.
Authentic Hardwood Flooring will do the proper pre-installation checks. We stand behind the work we do with our installation guarantee and, of course, you get the full manufacturer’s warranty when we install your new hardwood flooring. If you’re interested in a free quote for new laminate or wood flooring, call us today at (727) 786-6330 or fill out our contact form.
Leave a Reply