Wood Floors Cupping

When moisture enters into a plank of wood flooring, the side nearest to the moisture expands. Cupping happens when the board's borders are higher than the center, resulting in a concave form. Cupped floors can cause major structural difficulties in addition to destroying the look of a place.

Cupping occurs for a variety of reasons.

In a nutshell, wetness. Even after being treated and sealed, wood remains a porous, fibrous material. It still has the ability to react to the moisture content of the air surrounding it. Similar to the principle of osmosis, materials like wood will balance (equilibrate) their moisture content with their environment. As a result, if the air is humid, the wood will absorb more moisture and swell. Wood fibers will release part of their moisture back into the air if the air is dry, and it will shrink back down. Moisture enters the floors most commonly from below, through the subfloor. This is why the board's bottom swells, causing the edges to curve upward in a wave-like shape.

What happens if the cupping problem isn't resolved?

The floor could fail in addition to the evident warping of your hardwood planks. The cupping could worsen, resulting in gaps between the boards. The boards may not return to their previous shape if the relative humidity drops, and they may bend away from the subfloor, splinter, and crack.

Is there a method to get rid of wood cupping?

The cupping will most likely disappear when the temperature and humidity change. Another issue is major cupping caused by water damage. However, once you've identified the source of the moisture, it's possible that the floor will dry out and the cupping will go away.

What is the best way to remove cupping from hardwood floors?

In many cases of minor to moderate wood floor cupping, removing the source of the moisture and drying the floor might salvage it. Moisture flow through wood can be slow, as previously stated. Most problems will not be solved by just running a fan or dehumidifier for a week.

How do you prevent wood from cupping?

Cupping can also be avoided by putting heavy weights on a stacked wooden pile. The wood also requires adequate ventilation, which is best achieved by spacing the materials such that all surfaces are exposed to the air. Store your lumber somewhere clean, cool, shady, and dry.