6 Tips for Measuring and Maintaining Humidity Levels in Hardwood Floors

April 26, 2019

Posted in macstaff

Hardwood floors are beautiful additions to any property. They offer charm and beauty, and can really add value to your home. They can be expensive, however, which is why you have to do your best to maintain them as much as possible. One of the biggest concerns is humidity. Humidity can really damage hardwood floors and can wreak havoc on the rest of the property. This is why it is essential to catch the first signs of humidity as early as possible. We have some tips that can make this easier.

Choose the Right Meter

One of the most important things you can do to measure humidity in hardwood floors is to buy the right humidity meter. There are so many available that it can be a daunting process. There are meters that come with all manner of special features, but a simple one can be just as effective. A very important thing to consider when choosing a meter is the reliability of the company that makes them. Read their warranty and read reviews to ensure that you are getting the best, most accurate meter. With a bit of research, you will be able to find a reliable option for your needs.

Store in Similar Conditions to Home

If you really want to ensure that the hardwood floors will be able to withstand the normal air humidity in your home, store the wood in as similar conditions to that of your property as you can. Many people choose to store the planks in a room of the home, without adjusting the conditions at all. This will give you a good idea if the kind of wood you are choosing will face humidity issues once installed.

Do Not Forget Sub-floors

Many people spend a lot of time and money buying the perfect wood and checking it for humidity issues and they forget the sub-flooring completely. This is not a good idea. For people who are replacing the flooring, it takes only a little bit of time to check the sub-flooring material and it can save you a lot of trouble in the long run. This is especially important for homes with sub-flooring that is concrete, wood chip, plywood, or planks.

Choose the Right Wood Type

Not all wood types have the same humidity levels. Some of them are inherently more humid, which is something you have to keep in mind when checking them with meters. Some meters are not created to measure certain wood options, so it is important to know if the meter you have purchased will work on the flooring you have chosen for your home. If you are not sure about the best options, there are lots of companies that can point you in the right direction and give you basic information about the different wood choices.

Wood Flooring

Hire Experts

Another great way to ensure that the humidity levels in your hardwood floors are correct is to hire an expert. There are companies that are dedicated to this kind of work and that can even offer solutions if the humidity levels are too high. Many flooring companies can offer these extra services for a small fee, so it is definitely something to consider before having the hardwood installed. To choose the right people, be sure to ask for references and to ask if they have all of the right insurance in place.

Follow Humidity Measuring Instructions

You can buy a great meter, but if you do not use it correctly, it will not be able to help you. All of these meters come with full instructions, but there are also instructional videos online that you can turn to if you are still not sure of how to use it. Take time to really learn the ins and outs of the meter, including how to use some of the special features. By following the instructions to the letter, you will be able to measure the humidity in your floors without too much trouble.

All of these tips can make measuring humidity levels in hardwood floors much easier and much faster. Get a reliable meter that can read the levels in all manner of wood, and be sure to check the warranty. Checking sub-flooring is also vital, since humidity there can seep into the hardwood floors, and be sure to choose the wood carefully. Some wood types have higher humidity levels than other and you do not want to be surprised when you measure it. With all of these tips, you can install your floors safely and with the knowledge that your boards will not buckle or bend with humidity.