As drier weather comes and goes with seasonal changes, a property owner may discover adverse changes in their hardwood floor. A common complaint is that the hardwood floor cracks or splits between boards. Many feel the need to rectify matters by inserting some type of filler in the newly formed cracks; however, there are a few important factors to keep in mind before attempting to patch up hardwood floor cracks.

All wood has moisture within itself–even hardwood flooring. When winter and cold, drier weather are present, property owners will turn up the heat. The heat, mixed with the closed windows and doors, dries out the inside air and even goes as far as absorbing the moisture from within the wood boards. As the moisture is sucked-up from the hardwood, the wood begins to shrink causing cracks and splitting to occur. This event is normal and does not require immediate action or any type of filler.

When spring and summer arrive, the rise in temperature and humidity allow for moisture to be absorbed back into the wood. The hardwood proceeds to expand and fill back in the cracks. If a filler was used for the cracks during the winter, the expansion experienced during the warmer months can actually force the filler out or cause the hardwood boards to warp.

The shrinkage and cracking during the colder months can be reduced with the use of humidifiers. A property owner can “add humidity by opening the dishwasher after a rinse cycle, switching off the bathroom fan or hanging laundry to dry in the basement near the furnace. Better yet, [the property owner] could install a humidifier in the furnace or an exterior air vent for the furnace burner” (WoodFloorsOnline). Or, the property owner could simply wait out the dry cold months until spring and summer come again and the wood is restored to its original state.

However, “large cracks in wood floors, which do not close up in the summer months, can have either job-related or manufacturing defects as the cause” (AllWoodFlooring). If the manufacturing company did not adequately dry the wood before the flooring is milled, abnormal cracks can occur. If foundation settlement occurs on the property, the floor may actually stretch and cause indefinite cracks in the hardwood. Also, improper subfloor materials can allow cracks to develop from heavy traffic if the subfloor does not hold nails. If the cracks do not fill in during the summer, it is advisable to consult a flooring expert to pinpoint and resolve the issue.

About NuBilt's President

Issa Ashour

Issa Ashour, President of NuBilt Restoration & Construction, co-founded the property restoration company back in 1994. Since then, the company has successfully restored 1000's of properties.Connect with Issa on Google+.

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