If the unfinished surface of the flooring boards has been exposed to moisture prior to finishing, the flooring can become crowned due to expansion of the wood surface.
What Causes Wood Floors to Crown? Wood floor crowning is the opposite of cupping and happens when the center of the board is higher than the edges. Like cupping, wood floor crowning happens because the boards are exposed to a moisture imbalance over an extended period of time.
This expansion and contraction process is entirely normal with solid wood flooring. In a domestic setting, particularly in centrally heated homes, floors expand and contract with the seasons. During winter months, when you switch the central heating on, wooden floors lose moisture and will contract.
Comments Section Wood once warped is generally just ruined. You can find a guy to sand it flat and refinish it, but then it may, for lack of a better term, unwarp and then you're left with the inverse problem. If this is from water damage, it's time to bust out your homeowners insurance policy and get it replaced.
To flatten a warped piece of wood, you'll need to change the moisture content on one side of the board. Look at your warped board and identify the inside face of the “C” or cup. The wood fibers on this side of your board are dryer and have shrunk. You can use water to relieve the tension and allow the board to flatten.
Have you noticed your floor bulging upwards? This common issue can be caused by factors like moisture damage, poor structural support, foundation issues, or improper installation.
In many cases, floors with minor cupping will flatten out once the underlying moisture issues have been addressed.
So if the air is humid, the wood will absorb more moisture from the air, and it will swell. If the air is dry, wood fibers will release some of its moisture back into the air and it can shrink back down.
Flattening the wood is an important step in how to fix water-damaged swollen wood furniture. Use a wood flattening tool to remove any remaining water damage. This will help restore the wood to its original shape and prevent further damage.
Solutions. Where flooring has become crowned due to the sanding flat of cupped floor that has then dried out, sanding this flat again can provide the solution. Ensure that the bonding to the sub-floor, whether by flooring adhesive or secret nailing is still secure and consistent.
Crowning is the opposite of cupping. Instead of the edges being higher than the board's centerline, the centerline is raised like a little hill, and the edges are lower. One of the ways this can happen is after improperly repairing cupping. If the cupped boards are not thoroughly dried and then are sanded flat.
You can also use a dehumidifier for at least 24 hours in places where the damage is minor, and often you will find that boards go back to their normal position, and you will see no signs of buckling or warping. Major damage to a floor, that has buckled in many places may require replacing the badly damaged boards.
The most common signs of buckled hardwood flooring are cupping and crowning. Lifting is the hallmark of extreme buckling and typically will only occur after a major water catastrophe like flooding.
One of the primary reasons hardwood floor popping up occurs is due to the wood's natural expansion and contraction in response to changes in humidity and temperature. When the air is humid, wood absorbs moisture and expands; in dry conditions, it contracts.
Generally, if your floor rises or falls more than half an inch over a horizontal run of 10 feet or less, you should call someone about your sloping floor. This degree of slope indicates that there is likely a problem with your floor or your foundation. With that said, it's also important to consider comfort and safety.
Now for the answer to how to fix buckled hardwood floor. If you've eliminated the moisture issue, minorly buckled planks may simply return to normal given time. For boards that are cupping, add weight to the floor by setting a few heavy boxes on top. It's simple but it really does work.
If you have severe warping, it's best to get a professional assessment. Your installer has several options, including replacement and repair. Sanding can often restore the shape and appearance of warped hardwood, especially in cases of cupping. However, it may not work for buckled planks.
If your hardwood flooring has started to raise or lift up, then it likely that it has not been fitted with the correct expansion gap around the perimeter of the room. As wood is a natural product it will naturally expand and contract with changes in temperature and humidity.
To flatten a warped piece of wood, apply moisture to the concave side and then place weight on the convex side, or clamp it in a flat position.
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.