Why & When do wooden floors get damaged? - Manage the Risks

Wooden floors are typically damaged when moisture conditions change. When wood gets damper the wood expands, and when the conditions get drier the wood shrinks and cracks.

In order to manage this natural movement of timber it is worth considering the key moments of risk where moisture conditions may change enough to damage the floors.

Success of a flooring project depends on managing the key risk times that are as follows: 

  • Manufacture – Has the wood moisture been correctly prepared to match its intended location?
  • Delivery - Are the site conditions in line with the expected in-service conditions?
  • Subfloor - Is the subfloor the same moisture content as the timber?
  • Site Environment - Is the environment in the building project the same as the conditions that will be experienced when the floor is in service? Will the conditions remain suitable until the project is handed over?
  • Heating commissioning – Does the heating engineer commission the heating system in line with the flooring manufacturers recommendations
  • Handover to owner– The owner must be informed how to manage the heating systems and how to maintain the floor
  • Water – Cleaning procedures should avoid the use of excess water
  • Winter – The first two heating seasons stress the floor and conditions should be monitored before damage occurs. Owners can damage floors by not controlling temperature and humidity levels in line with the specification.

All of these factors can be successfully managed with professional contractors and forward planning and communication. The Fidbox supports successful projects in a number of ways.

  • Provides much needed data to diagnose what is going on under the floor and allows corrective action to take place.
  • Identifies who is at fault if something starts to go wrong.
  • Ensures that all parties know that their actions or inactions will be recorded. This creates a strong motivation for everyone to do his or her part in creating a successful project.
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