A beautiful hardwood floor can elevate the aesthetic appeal of any home. But over time, a number of factors can lead to warping, a common issue that can compromise the floor’s appearance and functionality.
Warped floorboards can create uneven surfaces, disrupt the flow of traffic, and even pose safety hazards. Fortunately, the solution to repair warped hardwood floors lies completely within your reach as you will learn in this blog.
In this blog post, we will delve into the causes of warping, the right techniques to repair the warping, and some useful tips to make sure your wood floors don’t warp in the future.
What Causes Hardwood Floors To Warp?
Before you learn how to repair warped hardwood floors, it’s essential to understand what causes the warping of the wood floors in the first place. Here are some of the most common reasons
- Moisture Exposure: Spills, leaks, or high humidity on the wood can cause it to swell or warp.
- Improper Installation: Lack of acclimation of wood before installation or poor subfloor conditions can also lead to warping.
- Water Damage: Flooding or standing water, when seeped into the wood, can cause it to expand.
- Temperature Fluctuations: Extreme heat or cold can cause wood to expand and contract, which leads to warping over time.
How To Fix Warped Hardwood Floors?
Minor Warping
When hardwood floors experience minor warping, it is often the result of subtle moisture imbalances. And, the good news is that these small issues can be corrected without the need for major repairs.
One of the best ways to do so is by keeping the room’s humidity level in a stable range (30-50%). In other words, through proper ventilation. Turn on your dehumidifiers or open windows to rebalance moisture levels for the warped wood to return to its original shape.
If the warping is relatively slight, apply weight to the affected area to flatten the boards. You can place heavy objects like books or sandbags on the warped section and leave them for a few days, making sure to monitor the progress and adjust the weight as needed.
Severe Warping
If the floorboards are severely warped, replacement may be the only option. Follow the steps to learn how to repair severe warping of your hardwood floors.
- Take a pry bar and carefully lift the edges of the warped boards. If necessary, use a circular saw to cut the boards into smaller sections for easier removal. Once done, remove any nails or staples from the subfloor.
- Now, measure and cut new hardwood planks to match the removed pieces and begin laying them, using spacers to maintain consistent gaps between boards.
- Use flooring nails or screws to secure the boards to the subfloor, following the manufacturer’s instructions. Continue laying the planks, ensuring they fit snugly together.
- Next, use a wood filler to fill any gaps between the planks.
- Once the wood filler has dried, sand the floor, and apply a stain as well as a finish to blend the planks with the rest of the floor.
Note: When sanding the wood floor, make sure to choose the right floor sanding equipment. The right equipment allows for controlled pressure and minimises the risk of gouges or scratches.
Important Tips To Prevent Your Wood Floors From Warping
While it’s common for wood floors to warp, it’s equally important to take precautionary steps to prevent this from happening. Here are some useful tips to implement.
- Maintain indoor humidity between 35-55% to prevent moisture imbalances.
- Wipe up water, pet accidents, or other liquids as soon as possible and stick to dry or slightly damp mops when cleaning, as excess water can seep into the wood, causing warping.
- When dealing with stains, use a hydrogen peroxide solution carefully to avoid over-wetting the area.
- Use HVAC systems to avoid rapid temperature fluctuations, which can cause expansion and contraction.
- Monitor areas around dishwashers, sinks, and washing machines regularly for any signs of leaks.
When Should You Call A Professional?
Warped hardwood floors are a common issue in many homes. While it may not always be a serious problem, it’s important to know the proper techniques to fix them. This will help you repair warped hardwood floors in a timely manner and maintain their elegance.
However, there are situations when you might want to consider professional help. For example, if the warping has affected a large area of the floor or if the repair involves replacing several boards, levelling, or refinishing the entire floor.
In such cases, you can always rely on Sanding Wood Floors to ensure a seamless and high-quality outcome. With more than 30 years of rich experience, their expert team specializes in assessing the damage and providing the best solution to fix your warped wood floors, ensuring they look flawless and last for many years to come.
