adequate performance of the flooring

moisture comes from many sources, the earth itself, surface water (eg storm water runoff) and the interior atmosphere. Consider the ways in which the product moisture problems and how they can be, and prevented.With the introduction of engineered flooring, wood floors can in almost all parts of the house used in basements.Water on or near the site can not be ignored or be neglected.


A room that is exposed to excessive moisture would be prone to problems when solid wood flooring has been installed it.Most complaints about wood floor to changes in moisture content and soil around the impact of wood moisture products.The the ground. When moisture changes are strong, the result can be gaps between bands, cupping, buckling, movement and / or cracking or splitting in the ground

potential sources of humidity;.

NEW: > During the construction of new homes, moisture can enter into the house a number of ways. If the frame is up, the material 2-for-4 rain and subsoil often. Because manufacturers usually work on tight, demanding schedules, the houses are sometimes built the moisture to evaporate which needs time. The amount of moisture through the timber and wet trades can be important

GROUNDWATER . Sometimes the water level in the soil is greater than the lower surface of the foundation by:

heavy rains or longer
the source appears only during periods of rain and not discovered when the house was built, the water flows along an impermeable layer in soil.Any this can cause water to penetrate into the ground or high above the ground surface in the space foundation or analysis

<. > Water plan: fell on the floor or on the roof can pass through or under the ground. In some areas, heavy soils retain surface drainage and water pressure suit against the foundation walls or slab. Surface drainage problems can also occur because of the cavity below the surface level outside the home.


Wood is a hygroscopic material. This means that if wood exposed to the air, it will look dry or damp, until in equilibrium with the humidity and air temperature. Absorption of moisture causes the wood. Wood shrinkage begins at 25-30% moisture, the fiber saturation point and continue until the wood reaches a moisture content of 0%, oven-dried state. In contrast, the swelling increases moisture content from 0% to moisture content of 25-30%, the fiber saturation point. . Over 25% – 30% wood is dimensionally stable

Relative Humidity: When the humidity rises, the impact may cause damage to the floor. This is more common in households where the occupants are there for a short time as a weekend home or vacation cabin, or in rooms that were closed (not heated) are to save energy.


If air conditioning or heating is not used or is switched off, the ventilation is a must, even if the house is unoccupied. Otherwise, the soil will expand in high humidity, and cupping and buckling occurs. This “greenhouse effect” is even more exaggerated when the boards were installed because wider boards react to moisture, with more movement.


problems with basement dampness and functions assigned to below grade. Concrete appears to the untrained eye as a solid and impermeable, but it is actually a source in moisture.Concrete expands when it absorbs moisture when exposed to rain or wet, and contracts again when the moisture evaporates.


minimum acclimatization for wood floors is an acclimation period is week.The required.True acclimatization to real hardwood, not laminated, many Southeast weeks.In Air humidity of the climate it could be two for the solid wood floor weeks.A who is will almost always help with a vapor barrier between the subfloor and floor covering on floor Ingon moisture.Wood control on the first floor have installed more time to acclimate to a level floor in the second floor.


Home inspector in Georgia