Buckling hardwoods are no joke. But luckily, there are some warning signs that you have a buckling hardwood floor that you should be aware of – obviously, the sooner you can catch warping and buckling, the easier it will be to fix.
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. Finally, you will start to see lifting when the planks and boards pull up from the subfloor.
So, what signs are you looking for? And what do you do when you start to see them? Let’s dive into what you should have your eyes peeled for.
Be Realistic About the Size of Your Job
The size of your warping will determine a lot about how you can go about fixing the problem. Smaller issues can be handled easily and in just a few minutes. Bigger problems require more significant solutions, including complete floor replacement.
First, you need to figure out the size of the job. Is it something you can do in an hour, or is it something that may require professional intervention?
For smaller warps, you may be able to bend the wood back into shape. If you notice a tiny warp when you walk across your floor, or if the end of one wooden plank is coming up, you can try to wet the area fairly well and then place something heavy on top of it. You will have to leave the heavy object on top for a few days to try to bend the wood back into place.
If, after a few days, the warp is still there, you may have a bigger problem on your hand, or you simply need to replace that one plank of wood.
For larger warps, you will have to do a complete replacement of that plank right away. Pull up the warped wood and replace it with flooring that is the same shape, size, length, and look. Make sure to secure the wood boards. You’re lucky if you have something with tongue and groove finishings because it will take you only a few minutes to install the new board and go on about your business.
For giant warps that impact more than half of your wood planks, you will need to do something more significant. These warps only happen if a building is extremely old, if there was excessive water damage (like a flood), or if the floor has been neglected.
Instead of simply replacing all of the wooden boards, we’d suggest ripping out the entire floor and replacing it. Even if you could replace the individual planks, there is something going on that you need to investigate. Be sure to install a vapor barrier when you put your new flooring in.
We’ll go into more detail in the next section for how to fix these individually.
Fill in the Gaps
Once you have repaired the flooring, you want to go back and fill in the gaps. This doesn’t take a lot of time, but it will help your floor stay put and prevent warping into the future. One option is a latex floor filler for gaps that are up to a quarter-inch wide. It is easy to install and pour on your own. You should fill it before you sand anything.
If you have a gap that is wider than a quarter-inch, you will have to use an epoxy wood filler. This is extremely difficult to sand, so you should apply it after you have sanded everything and be very careful while you do it.
What Causes Warping Anyway?
Once you have repaired the warping of your flooring, you need to prevent it from happening again. Floors that were warped once may do it again. Usually, wood warps when it gets wet and swells. When it dries out, it contracts. This can cause warping over time, and you’ve probably seen it with docks or boardwalks.
This type of warping doesn’t usually happen with hardwood flooring that has been properly finished because it is protected against moisture. If you think that you may have a problem with the flooring getting wet and then drying multiple times, you may want to install a moisture barrier or a vapor barrier.
Sometimes, there doesn’t even need to be a lot of moisture; it can just be extremely humid conditions. Hot and dry conditions with direct sunlight can shrink the wood as well, which can cause gaps and warping.
Tips To Avoid Warping Hardwood Flooring
If you want to avoid this fix again, there are some pretty easy ways to avoid warping into the future.
Here are some of the best ways to do so:
- Clean up spills as soon as possible. Wood will absorb anything that is spilled, and the moisture will build up over time. This not only causes warping, but it can also lead to mold, which is dangerous to breathe.
- Occasionally, you want to check to make sure there aren’t any appliances leaking into your hardwood floor that you haven’t discovered. Common culprits include dishwashers, toilets, sinks, washing machines, hot tubs, tubs, showers, and wet bars.
- Be careful about what you put on your feet. Walking around your house in extremely high or pointy heels can lead to tiny perforations in the wood that can invite water into even finished hardwood floors. The same can be said of cleats.
- Be sure to keep your pet’s nails clipped, even if you buy flooring that’s good for pets.
- Don’t go overboard when you are mopping or cleaning. You don’t want to leave your floors soaking wet.
- Be careful about what types of wood you use in specific areas. Kitchens and bathrooms look great with wood flooring, but you’ll have to be careful about the type you choose. Aim for materials that don’t have a history of warping.
- Immediately fix any damages to your wood flooring. Scratches or dents can invite moisture into your wood beams and create warping.
Fix Those Floors at Warp Speed
No one wants to see their beautiful hardwood flooring begin to buckle, but luckily, if you do, there are steps you can take to minimize the damage. Restoring the beauty of your hardwoods can give you and your home a fresh new lease on life!
Sources:
Warped Floorboards Caused By Humidity Swings - WoodFloorDoctor.com
