Timber Flooring, Moisture & Humidity
Moisture content of the sub floor is extremely important as this is the area on to which the flooring is laid. As mentioned above, the moisture must be prevented from impregnating the wooden flooring. Therefore it is good practice to ensure that the moisture levels in the sub floor are at a level low enough to prevent ingress.
Before installing timber flooring it is imperative that moisture readings are taken in a number of areas.
Moisture content of the flooring should be in equilibrium with the ambient humidity of the room(s) in which it is to be laid. Therefore timber flooring should be in situ for a period of time prior to installation in order to allow the timber to acclimatise, generally the longer the better. Before laying commences moisture readings of the flooring should be taken again to ensure the above requirements are met. We have found that this is an area where "shortcuts" have often been made.
Wood and how it reacts:
Relative humidity and temperature measurements should also be taken prior to installation. The moisture content of timber will have an optimum reading for the environment in which it is to be installed. Our report will include all these readings in order to enable the insurer to ascertain all correct fitting procedures have been met.
Humidity control inside a building is often neglected, resulting in critical conditions for a wooden floor.
In wintertime, the continuous occurence of heating systems creates a very dry atmospheric condition, which can lead the wood to shrink. In summertime, vice versa, a higher enironmental moisture creates more humid conditions which can cause the wood to swell.