Hardwood Flooring
Nothing matches the luxury and natural warmth of hardwood flooring. It delivers the perfect combination of elegance and practicality. But most hardwoods are expensive and relatively fragile. If you already have one, you should inspect it regularly and take the necessary preventative maintenance steps.
1. Check for Cupping
Cupping is a problem that affects both real and engineered wood. It happens when the sides of the flooring are higher than the center of the boards — creating a concave shape. This can cause pools of water to form, increasing the risk of water damage.
2. Check for Gaps
Gaps — either between boards or next to walls — can cause serious problems. Moisture can sneak into the tiniest of gaps can cause widespread damage if the gaps aren’t made good.
Gaps occur for several reasons. Sometimes, it’s down to poor workmanship. It may also be caused by inferior materials. It’s also worth remembering that heat and humidity can cause wood to expand. Cooler, drier conditions cause the wood to contract. Over time, this process can lead to gapping.
3. Check for Splitting
Splitting can occur in hardwoods that have dried out over time. While there are some repair methods, the most cost-effective way to deal with widespread splitting is to order a replacement floor.
4. Check for Crowning
Think of crowning as the opposite of cupping. Instead of concave wood planks, you’re left with convex ones (the center of the plank is higher than the edges).
5. Check for Poor Finishing
Professional flooring fitters take a huge amount of pride in their work. While this often means the job takes a little longer, it’s done to very high standards. You can tell if contractors have rushed the job, as the signs are usually pretty obvious. Shortcuts save floor fitters time, but they result in substandard work.
