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Solid Wood Floor Bulging and Lifting Solutions

Solid wood floors add a timeless charm and natural beauty to any space, but even the sturdiest installations can sometimes develop issues like bulging, lifting, or swelling. These problems can stem from various factors such as poor installation, moisture intrusion, or even subpar materials. In this article, we will explore the key concerns of buckling floors, swollen wood flooring, signs of bad hardwood floor installation, and even the unexpected issues with laminate flooring coming up. Moreover, we will provide you with effective solutions to tackle these problems and maintain the integrity of your solid wood floors.

Solid Wood Floor Bulging and Lifting Solutions

Buckling floors, often referred to as swollen or bulging wood flooring, occur when the floorboards push against each other due to excessive moisture content. This can result from high humidity levels or water leakage from sources like leaks or spills. The increased moisture causes the wood to expand beyond its normal dimensions, leading to unsightly bulges and uneven surfaces.

Solution:

To address this problem, it’s essential to identify and eliminate the source of excess moisture. Fix any leaks promptly and maintain appropriate indoor humidity levels. If the damage is severe, you might need to remove and replace the affected boards.

Signs of Bad Hardwood Floor Installation

Improper installation of hardwood floors can also contribute to problems like bulging and lifting. Signs of a bad installation include uneven surfaces, gaps between boards, and creaking noises when you walk on the floor. These issues can weaken the structural integrity of the flooring, making it susceptible to problems down the line.

Solution:

If you notice any signs of poor installation, it’s recommended to consult a professional flooring contractor. They can assess the situation, determine the extent of the problem, and provide you with options for repairing or reinstalling the flooring correctly.

Laminate Flooring Coming Up: Unexpected Challenges

Laminate flooring, while not solid wood, can also face issues of lifting and coming up. This often occurs due to water seepage at the edges of the laminate, causing the adhesive to weaken. Additionally, poor-quality laminate or incorrect installation techniques can contribute to this problem.

Solution:

If you encounter laminate flooring coming up, address the issue promptly. Dry the affected area thoroughly and consider using a waterproof adhesive to reattach the laminate. However, prevention is key—choose high-quality laminate flooring and ensure proper installation to reduce the risk of such problems.

In conclusion

maintaining the longevity and aesthetics of your solid wood or laminate flooring requires vigilance and proactive care. By addressing issues like buckling floors, signs of bad installation, and laminate flooring problems, you can preserve the beauty and functionality of your floors. Remember that seeking professional help when needed and adopting preventive measures can go a long way in ensuring that your flooring remains a stunning asset to your home for years to come.

   FAQs

How expensive is Clean & Recoat?

Prices will vary but typically a contractor will charge you less than what they would charge you for sanding and refinishing the floor. Pricing will depend on how much time they spend cleaning a floor, the type of finish they use and the number of applications of finish they make. Get several estimates but pay careful attention to how long they will take, how they will prep the surface and the type of finish they will use.

Is this a dusty, smelly process?

The smell of the chemicals used to clean the floors is comparable to typical household cleaners and are not toxic or hazardous. The buffers we use have dust containment systems attached to vacuums to minimize any dust from prep work. We only work with waterborne urethanes that have no offensive odors. Done correctly, Clean & Recoat is the least invasive recoating process on the market today.

How log will a Clean & Recoat last?

With proper care and maintenance and by following a common sense approach to reduce wear and damage, a floor that’s been recoated can give you years of excellent service. I’ve seen floors that I recoated more than ten years ago that are still in very good shape. Most floors that are being recoated will be getting a waterborne finish and these finishes are very good and easily maintained.

What is Laminate Flooring?

Laminate flooring is a tongue and groove interlocking flooring system that comes in either planks or squares. All of these floors have a wear layer, a decorative print film layer, an inner core structure, and some type of backing support layer — usually melamine. The print film layer is either fused or glued to the inner core. The print film can be a photo of any real floor. The earlayer is applied to the decorative print layer to protect the pattern. Melamine resins are the main component of the wearlayer. The melamine surface gets its incredible durability from aluminum oxide. Aluminum oxide is almost as hard as diamonds and provides unsurpassed wear and stain resistance.

What is Engineered Flooring?

Engineered flooring is produced by bonding three or more layers of wood. The crossing of grain direction within the boards makes this a very dimensionally stable product able to resist nearly all expansion and shrinkage from normal moisture changes. This is one primary feature that makes it suitable for use directly on concrete and below-grade application.

Will my floor age or change color?

Yes. You can expect to see shade differences in your floor over time. The cause is usually from exposure to the ultra-violet rays of the sun, whether direct or indirect. This color change will be more noticeable in lighter colors, which will darken over time. In addition, certain species like Brazilian cherry, will naturally darken over the years. These changes are due to the natural characteristics of wood and are not covered by most manufacturers’ warranties.

What is Custom Finishing?

Sanding and refinishing performed to individual specifications. Custom finishing of wood floors is performed in the home on the completely installed new floor, or to refurbish a previously finished floor. Custom finishing permits the owner to select from a full range of stains, sheens and colors.