There is no denying that hardwood flooring gives your space an upscale, timeless look. However, a poor installation can turn a beautiful investment into a headache of buckling boards and unsightly gaps. At ReallyCheapFloors.com, we want to ensure you have the expertise to protect your home. If you want to avoid a "botched" job, focus on these four pillars: moisture management, climate control, proper acclimation, and strict adherence to manufacturer guidelines.
Quick Guide: 4 Ways to Prevent Flooring Failure
- Control Moisture: Wood is porous; high humidity causes expansion, while dry air causes shrinkage.
- Acclimate Your Planks: Let your wood sit in the room for at least 4 days before installation to adjust to the local environment.
- Check Your Subfloor: Ensure crawl spaces are dry and concrete is moisture-tested to prevent warping from below.
- Use the Right Tools: Always follow the specific instructions provided by the manufacturer to maintain your warranty.
Ready to dive deeper? Here is exactly how to ensure your hardwood floor installation stands the test of time.
What Constitutes A Bad Hardwood Floor Installation?
There is no denying that hardwood flooring gives your space an upscale, timeless look. However, the upkeep and installation process can feel a bit overwhelming if you aren't prepared. At ReallyCheapFloors.com, we want to ensure you have the knowledge to protect your investment and avoid a "botched" job. Here are 4 ways to avoid a bad hardwood floor installation.
1. Understand That Wood "Breathes"
Hardwood flooring may no longer be a standing tree, but it still behaves like one. It reacts to water and moisture exactly the same way it did in the forest. Trees swell when they take in water; your hardwood floor will do the same. When humidity levels rise, your boards expand. When the air dries out, they shrink. If these moisture levels aren't controlled, you’ll see gaps or buckling. It is your job as the homeowner (or installer) to manage the environment to keep the wood stable.
2. Know Your Local Climate
High-quality Prefinished Solid Hardwood is sensitive to the air around it. If you live in a humid region, your floor will naturally pull moisture from the air and swell during the summer months. Think of it like your fingers swelling on a hot, sticky day—wood does the exact same thing. The best remedy? Keep your home's HVAC system running and use a dehumidifier if necessary to keep the environment consistent.
Prefinished Solid Hardwood is greatly affected by the moisture in the air. If you live in an area that has more humid weather in the warmer months, then your floor will swell from the added moisture in the air, making it look like your floor is damaged. This works similarly to what happens to a person when they get too hot. Have you ever noticed your fingers swell when you sweat a lot or if it’s really warm where you are? Hardwood flooring does something similar when there is too much moisture in the air. An easy remedy for this is to keep the humidity and moisture in your home regulated.
3. Acclimate Your New Floors to Your Space
After you have checked out your space and made sure the climate is perfect for your newly chosen hardwood floor, then you need to acclimate the flooring to your space. The wood should be spread out and sit on the subfloor in the space for roughly 4 days. This will give the wood time to expand if it has to or shrink. After four days, the wood will know how it should act in your environment and be ready to install.
Also, make certain that your home is ready for installation of your new hardwood floor. Is there water standing in your basement or crawl space? This is a sign of poor ventilation, and will insure that you will have problems after your wood flooring installation. Concrete should be dry, and crawl spaces should be covered in plastic, with all joints taped. We want this project to be devoid of all types of issues. One of the quickest ways to have issues is to ignore existing moisture. Once the work is done it will be too late to work on any installation issues.
4. Follow The Manufacturers Instructions of Wood Flooring Installation
Installing hardwood flooring has not changed much in the last 50 years, so many DIYers and pros have a tendency to skip the manual. However, every manufacturer has specific requirements for gap spacing and fastening. For instance, using the wrong nailer for hardwood floor installation can result in split tongues or loose boards that squeak every time you walk on them.
Reading the instructions will help us to discover aspects of hardwood floor installation that we were not aware of. Maybe most are not applicable, but some may be. Wanna guess who is responsible if you get a poor installation? Yes, You. The installer. And remember that you are responsible for inspecting all of the boards. If any bad hardwood planks make their way into your installed hardwood floor it will be difficult to remove and replace those boards.
5. Maintenance and Cleaning Essentials
To keep those new floors looking showroom-ready, follow these simple rules:
- Sweep regularly to prevent grit from scratching the finish.
- Vacuum often (using the hard floor setting) to pull dust and debris from the joints.
- Use a barely damp cloth for spills. Wood and standing water are enemies; excessive water will cause "cupping" or "buckling."
- Stick to professional floor care kits. Avoid "home remedies" like vinegar or wax, which can dull or damage the finish over time.
- Identify your finish. Different finishes (like oil vs. polyurethane) require specific cleaning agents.
Have more questions about keeping your floors beautiful? Give our experts a call at 1-800-253-2728.
Where to Get the Best Hardwood Floors
We offer a massive selection of hardwood and rigid vinyl products at prices that beat the big-box retailers every time. Whether you want the classic feel of prefinished solid hardwood or the stability of engineered hardwood, we have you covered. Reach out to us today to start planning your remodel. We can’t wait to help you transform your home!
