How to Deal with Wood Floor Deformation
Solid wood floor has various advantages such as moisture insulation, sould insulation, heat preservation, and strong elasticity, but there are also some shortcomings in daily use. It is common to see deformation and expansion of wood floor. What are the main reasons for this, and how can people prevent it from happening?
What causes wood floors to deform?
In places with rainy and humid climate, or in areas with frequent water use such as kitchens and bathrooms, it is possible that the moisture in the space is heavy and cannot be dissipated for a long time, and penetrates into the wooden floor. At the same time, an empty floor that has been idle for too long and has not been ventilated for a long time may also expand and deform due to absorbing moisture in the stucco layer or the unsealed base concrete.
Inappropriate expansion gap reserve room
Wood floors made of natural solid wood as the base material has a certain level of moisture content, and appropriate expansion gaps need to be reserved to allow the wooden floor to expand and contract freely under different temperatures throughout the year. If the expansion gap is too small, it may cause the floor to fail to stretch, resulting in arching and other types of deformation.
Inappropriate cleaning and maintaining
Wrong daily cleaning methods might also lead to deformation of wood floors. If you often use wet mop for cleaning, the long-term water infiltration will slowly lead to expansion of the wood. However, it doesn’t mean you should not clean the floor. If dust and debris gradually flow into the expansion gaps, it may also cause deformation of the floor since the gaps have been filled.
How can we prevent the deformation?
- Thourough floor cleaning. Before and after the installation of wood floors, it is necessary to keep the floor clean and away from dust and debris.
- Reserve suitable expansion gaps. Based on the different types and sizes of wooden floors, appropriate expansion gaps should be reserved, and the gaps should not be blocked by wooden debris during the installation of the floor.
- Proper floor maintainance. For daily floor cleaning, use a relatively dry mop to clean up dust and stains. If water stains are spilled on the ground, use a dry mop to absorb it as soon as possible. At the same time, keep the indoor ventilation smooth, so that the humidity in the house is within the idea range.