Hardwood floors are one of the best choices for almost any room in the house. If you are considering this type of flooring then you should look at the extensive array offered by this specialist in oak flooring Sydney. You will be impressed by the selection and the finished look. Of course, as with all types of flooring, the key is to look after your floor, this will help it to last for a long time. So, what do you do when you need to fix swelling wood floors?
Why Wood Floor Swells
Wood is a natural substance and is very effective at absorbing moisture from the air. Naturally, as the wood absorbs water it swells, the water has to go somewhere. Initially, the wood can resist some humidity and even spills as well as small leaks. But, the constant contraction and expansion of the wood ultimately lead it to separate from the subfloor. With no other space for the wood to expand into, it has no choice but to go upward.
The result is you come downstairs in the morning to find a warped floor.
Before You Can Fix the Floor
There is no point in fixing the floor unless you identify the water that is causing it to expand. The most common causes are excessive humidity in your home, leaking plumbing, poor ventilation, drainage issues or a leaking roof, and an issue with your foundations and the damp proof course.
You need to identify which of these issues is causing the water to get into your wood and expanding it. Leaks can be fixed by a plumber, humidity can be lowered with better ventilation and a dehumidifier, and drainage or roof issues can be easily repaired by a professional.
Dry the floor as much as possible and fix the cause of the dampness. This is necessary for the enjoyment of your home and, it will allow you to fix the hardwood floor.
Replace or Repair
If your wood is raised a little then it may simply settle back down as it dries. Try ventilating, and using a fan to move the moisture away from the wood. At the same time place a heavyweight on the raised board to encourage it to shrink back down.
If this isn’t successful then you will need to replace the wood that has been damaged. This is difficult as most wood floors are interlocked. In order to get to the damaged section, you will probably need to remove all the pieces of wood up to, and including the damaged ones.
You can then visit a specialist to find the closest possible match and lay this into your floor. Once you have added it and re-laid the pieces you took up, you can coat the entire floor in varnish or polish. This will help to protect it from humidity and give you a uniform look.
This is a time-consuming process as you don’t want to damage the undamaged pieces of wood. You may prefer to get the professionals to help.
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