Hardwood can bend or twist and lose its shape due to moisture throughout the home or changes in outdoor weather conditions. Here are some causes of hardwood floor warping to prevent damage to your floors:

 

• Constant water on floorboards: Water on hardwood floors is one of the worst enemies. Although spills should be cleaned up immediately to prevent damage, a spill will not damage your hardwood floor enough to cause it to warp. It is recommended to look for sources of constant moisture, such as drips or leaks. Most damage occurs when floors are constantly exposed to water.

 

• Temperature changes: Wood naturally expands with moisture and heat and contracts with cold. If you live in an area with extreme temperatures, your wood floors may warp in the summer. Maintain healthy humidity to prevent damage from hot, humid weather.

 

• Damp wood subfloors: Find the moisture content of your wood subfloor before installing hardwood floors. You or your flooring installer should test the entire subfloor for water with a wood moisture meter. If the moisture content is too high to install your flooring, find the source of the moisture and fix it before it spreads.

 

• Concrete subfloors: Like wood subfloors, foundations made of concrete are also prone to moisture buildup. If the concrete slab hasn’t dried properly, your wood floors above it may warp.

 

• Water Leaks: In addition to moisture under your flooring, it is also recommended to look at sources of moisture around your hardwood floors. If you have leaking appliances, condensation, or groundwater intrusion, water can get between the appliances and the subfloor causing warping of the floorboards.

 

• Poor Installation: If you notice water damage near a window or door, the cause could be improper installation of these openings. During inclement weather, heavy rain or snow can allow moisture to seep through cracks in your home’s doors and windows. Typically, older homes are more susceptible to water entering from the outside due to unwanted gaps.