After being in a class last week with a certified Armstrong Flooring Installation Specialist, I feel it is best to warn all hardwood flooring customers on how to care for hardwood floors during these extremely HOT summer months. These months are not only tough on us Southerners, but they can play havoc on your hardwood floors. Hardwood of any type will move by expanding and contracting as it takes on moisture from the air. Who would think that hardwood floors extract moisture from entries like crawl spaces and basement foundation walls?
According to our specialist, this is what happens during the summer months causing your hardwood floor to expand and contract.
- Warming air lowers the Relative Humidity (RH)
- Cooling air raises the RH
- Cooling air too much causes condensation
- Outside air contains moisture
Tips from the pros to reduce moisture:
- Reduce ventilation in crawl spaces
- Add small dehumidifiers to basement areas
- Add a home dehumidifier
- Get up-to-date AC units that allow the fan to remain “ON” which helps reduce condensation
The bottom line is that hardwood floors are going to expand and contract and occasional gapping is expected. Keep the AC on when you leave on vacation and try to stabilize the home environment so your hardwood floor is not shocked by the RISING AND REALLY HOT, HUMID TEMPERATURES.
Renee LeCroy is the Flooring Expert at Don’s Carpet One in Birmingham, AL. For 18 years, she’s been the consumer’s in-store advocate, decoding the flooring industry and offering insider advice. Contact Renee via email.
