If you’ve experienced a similar problem, here are some facts about what causes the gaps in your hardwood floor.
Your hardwood floor is a part of your home that has its own personality. Under different conditions, its characteristics change, which can cause creaking, squeaking, and even gaps. If you’ve experienced a similar problem, here are some facts about what causes the gaps in your hardwood floor.
Environmental Gaps
Wood reacts to dry air by shrinking. Several times throughout the day, an air exchange happens inside the home. Even with the most efficient windows, outside air finds a way inside, and inside air makes its way outside. During that exchange, the air that comes in is usually dry, which takes the moisture out of the wood. A humidifier will help keep moisture inside the home, which will reduce the shrinkage that your wood floors experience.
Acclimation Gaps
It’s essential that where you plan to install the floors follows the manufacturer’s guidelines as closely as possible for recommended installation. As all wood products need time to become acclimated to their new environment, these decisions will directly influence issues that may pop up down the road.
Installation Gaps
Speaking of installation, as previously stated, details matter a great deal at this stage. The first step is ensuring that the alignment is correct before installation. Pay attention to the trowel during the gluing process as too much or too little adhesive will react with unsatisfactory results. The trowel also needs to be changed regularly as it will wear down quickly. For nailing or stapling, it’s essential that the proper amount of pressure be applied to the fastener. Not enough pressure will cause the fasteners to be seated too high while too much pressure could split the tongues.
Manufacturing Gaps
Be mindful that the flooring needs to be the same size down the length of the strip. If it isn’t, this could be a sign that the hardwood floor may have been miscut or not properly acclimated. Also, keep an eye out for bowed boards as they keep the floor from being installed as tightly as it should, which creates gaps.
Seasonal Gaps
Again, resulting from changes in the climate, seasonal gapping is expected and normal. It appears in dry air and disappears when moisture returns to the air.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come. From a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.