At its earliest, a warping floor will start to show cracks or separation between the planks. You may also notice some cupping, which is when the beams start to turn up at the edges. Then, crowning may start, which is when moisture puffs up in the middle of the planks.
Identifying the Signs of Temperature Warping
You'll see that there are spaces between the planks, sometimes enough that you can see the surface beneath. The wood itself may begin to bend inward, cupping in at the edges, or the wood may begin to bulge. Some boards may begin to overlap, as they have popped out.
As long as the wood is not permanently deformed or damaged, the flooring should return to its original shape and size when it returns to its original moisture content. This process may take weeks, months or even an entire heating season. Sanding should not take place until all moisture levels have returned to normal.
You've Got a Small Wood Warp
Get the wood wet and then place a heavy object on top of it. Make sure you walk around the heavy object in the middle of the floor while you're doing this. In the span of a few days, the floor will likely become flat once again and you won't have had to do anything.
Most often, a warped wood floor is caused by standing water or heavy moisture below the floor, due to an unidentified leak or other hidden water source. Sometimes, even a nearby water source, like flooding underneath the house, can cause enough of a moisture imbalance to result in warping.
Many homes older than 15 years tend to experience some sort of foundation issue or settlement. Slab, basement, and crawl space foundations are all at risk of settlement, which can cause your floors to warp, bend, and become uneven.
It causes warping, a condition caused when water spills on the floor and evaporates, but not before mold grows. The fungi cling to the underside of the hardwood, over time causing the planks to peel away from their prior positions. The spaces between the hardwood planks grow so you can see the subfloor between them.
As mentioned, weather and moisture are the most culprits of buckling wood floors. If the buckling is minimal, you can try drying the damaged area and see if it returns to its normal shape. You can also try putting a little pressure or a heavy object on top of the buckled wood to settle it back to its place.
There are many signs that your damaged subfloor should be replaced with a new subfloor. These include squeaks and other noises, cupping or warping, cracked or popped tiles, sagging or unevenness, the smell of mold or mildew, or bubbling tile.
In some cases, a slight slope may be normal and not cause for concern. However, if the slope is severe or getting worse over time, it could be a sign of a serious problem that requires immediate attention. One potential risk of sloping floors is damage to the structural integrity of the home.
Vinyl and Laminate flooring:
Both vinyl and laminate floors are versatile and durable options that can be installed over slightly uneven surfaces. They are relatively inexpensive, easy to clean and maintain, and come in a wide range of patterns and colors so you don't have to sacrifice style for function.
One of the primary causes of uneven floors is foundation issues. If the foundation of your home is unstable or has settled over time, it can cause the floors to become uneven. This is particularly common in older homes that were built on pier and beam foundations.
A buckling wood floor “happens” when the floor gets separated from the subfloor. It is often accompanied by cupping or swelling. The edges of each wood plank could curl up, resembling a cup, or the middle section might begin to swell.
The most obvious is a spongy feel or “give” to the affected area. Other signs of water damage include warping in the floorboards of your hardwood floors, loose sections in your tile floor, bubbling or peeling in linoleum, lifting in your laminate flooring, or a musty smell that could indicate mold growth.
If you notice that your water-damaged floors are beginning to lose their color, you're likely dealing with staining. You may see whitish circles, which indicate mild damage that could be addressed with repairs and refinishing. However, if you see dark black stains, the water has infiltrated the floorboards.
What Happens if You Don't Fix Sagging Floors? If you ignore sagging floors, it can lead to consequences such as property damage that your insurance company may not cover. It can also lead to injury when someone trips or falls on uneven floors, or even property loss if the damage is great enough.
Many homeowners and owners of commercial property have dealt with a sagging floor. Floors can sag for many reasons. For instance, they may sag due to the natural settling of your property or building materials over time. However, a sagging floor may also signify damage from water leaks or pests, like termites.
With regular wear and tear, the finish on your hardwood floor should last about 7-10 years. Floors in high-traffic areas or that are exposed to a lot of sunlight may need to be refinished more often. So if we do some quick math, your hardwood floors will last up to 60 years with being refinished every ten years!
Sagging Or Sloping Floors
The most common sign that the floor joists may be rotting is a sagging or sloping floor. This is due to the fact that floor joists directly support the flooring within the home, therefore it is the first to be affected.
Treat exposed molded subflooring with a mixture of 1 cup of borax and 1 gallon of water or an EPA-registered mold removal product. Spray the solution on the moldy plywood. You can also soak affected subflooring with a brush broom. Wait 10 minutes, scrub the area, and repeat the process two more times.
Some people are sensitive to molds. For these people, exposure to molds can lead to symptoms such as stuffy nose, wheezing, and red or itchy eyes, or skin. Some people, such as those with allergies to molds or with asthma, may have more intense reactions.
Does home insurance cover foundation movement or sagging floors? Foundation damage caused by shifting or settling earth or sagging floors caused by rotting floor joists are typically not covered by homeowners insurance. If the damage is caused by flooding or an earthquake, you'll typically require separate coverage.
Uneven floors are most common in old homes because the home's foundation shifts over time. For example, it may take about 15-20 years for a foundation to shift and the floors to become uneven.
The degree to which your floor slopes or sags indicates whether or not you have reason for concern. Typically, floors that slope 1-1/2 inches or less in 20 feet is not a problem. Floors that sag 2 inches or more in 20 feet, though, are a cause for concern.