Because wood is porous, hardwood floors contract and expand with changes in temperature and humidity. When wood loses moisture, it shrinks. When wood holds moisture, it expands.
Water can get trapped between your floor and subfloor, and this excessive moisture can cause your floor to warp, cup, flake or crack. Additionally, standing water can discolor, dull or damage the wood.
This is why you shouldn’t install hardwood floors in high moisture areas like bathrooms or basements. If you have hardwood floors in your kitchen or dining room, consider using mats or rugs in high-spill areas. Additionally, you should also use doormats or rugs at entrances to absorb moisture you might track in from outside.
Also avoid cleaning your hardwood floors with water or a wet mop. Instead, use a dry mop or a vacuum with a hardwood floor setting. If necessary, you can remove any stickiness or spills with a slightly damp cloth.
But don’t let living in a humid area like Maryland stop you from installing hardwood flooring. To prevent humidity-related contracting and expanding to your floors, you can use a humidifier in the winter and a dehumidifier or air conditioner in the summer.
Please contact us today if you’re interested in installing hardwood flooring in Maryland. We install hardwood floors in Bethesda, MD, Potomac, MD, Silver Spring, MD, Washington, DC and nearby areas.
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