Why Does Hardwood Floors Buckle

Floor buckling happens most often after a floor has been flooded for an extended period of time.

Why does hardwood floors buckle.

Buckling occurs when the wood flooring actually pulls up from the subfloor lifting several inches in one or more places. This is why hardwood is not recommended for small windowless bathrooms or kitchens. Hardwood floors buckle when the humidity levels in the lower levels of the house are too high in the crawlspace or basement explains the basement health association in the article negative effects on hardwood floors. Moisture is the downfall of many hardwood floors.

By way of explanation the floor has gained moisture either by the ambient conditions within the home s structure or it has flooded with water. Some simple tips for keeping your floors healthy and clean are essential for any hardwood floor owner. Floor buckling is the most extreme reaction to moisture in a hardwood floor. Floors buckle because they have run out of room to expand across the face of each board.

Fortunately this is not a common occurrence. How to fix a buckled hardwood floor. For starters never clean hardwood floors with excessively wet mops or cloths. Furthermore certain shoes can do severe damage to hardwood floors.

Hardwood floors can also buckle in excessively humid environments. This often arises after flooding subfloor moisture buildup drainage problems or leaking pipes. Buckling is when the hardwood floor lifts or separates from the sub floor. Again wood absorbs moisture so wet mops will do more damage than good when cleaning.

If there is one enemy hardwood floors have it has got to be moisture and buckling is what you get when hardwood floors have been exposed to moisture for an extended period of time.