Can a dehumidifier damage wood floors?

A Dehumidifier Is Actually a Bad Idea for Hardwood Floors

Or you notice some of the floorboards have started to bend and the edges may curve up or down. Cracks may have appeared in the floorboards.

Are dehumidifiers good for wood floors?

Buy a dehumidifier or humidifier.

A humidifier is used to make the air more humid, while a dehumidifier does the opposite. Depending on the current humidity level in your home, you could need one of these devices to help you protect your hardwood floors. In fact, it may be best to use both.

Do humidifiers hurt hardwood floors?

Because wood is a porous material, it soaks up moisture which can damage it. Depending on how much moisture, and how long the hardwood floor is exposed to it, it can do irreparable damage.

How do you dehumidify hardwood floors?

Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours. Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible.

Can humidity cause wood floors to buckle?

High Humidity

Especially in small and windowless parts of your house, like the bathroom and kitchen. Your wooden floor can absorb moisture from the air, and this will cause the wood to expand and to buckle. Fans and ventilation can reduce buckling, though.

Water Damaged Wood Floors Drying Dehumidifiers

What humidity is bad for wood floors?

If the humidity level drops below 35%, it can be a problem for your hardwood. Low levels can cause the wood to dry out, which in turn could weaken the wood, resulting in the floor splintering. It could also lead the floor to split along the grain.

How do you fix a swollen wood floor?

If the floor is swollen from humidity, then you must set up ventilation fans to dry out the room. To speed up the process, a dehumidifier may also be set up in the room to help dry out the flooring and capture the moisture.

How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?

The first 24 hours are critical, and the longer the wood is in contact with water, the worse the damage will be. If you remove the water from your hardwood floors quickly and properly dry them, you may be able to save the wood (or most of it).

Will a dehumidifier dry wet wood?

Dry the Affected Areas

The heat will help evaporate the moisture faster. If the water-damaged wood is in an enclosed space, consider using a dehumidifier. For example, if your wooden cabinet has sustained water damage, set the dehumidifier up in front of the open cabinet door and allow it to run.

Will a dehumidifier remove water from floor?

Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air and replacing it with dry air. Used in conjunction with fans and heaters they can speed up drying out a floor. The problem with using a dehumidifier to dry out a floor is that it will collect moisture from the entire room not just the wet surface.

What can a humidifier damage?

However, humidifiers can cause another set of problems if overused. If the humidity is too high in a home, mold and dust mites may thrive. Both are common causes of allergies. Health issues that can arise from a humidifier include allergies, asthma flair-ups, coughs, flu-like symptoms, and lung and sinus infections.

Does humidity make floors sticky?

Sometimes a tacky wood floor is caused by heat or humidity in the air. As the top coating gets hot, it may soften and cause the feeling of stickiness to the touch.

Should a dehumidifier be on the floor?

As far as temperature and moisture content in the air goes, place the dehumidifier in the floor that is coldest (or filled with cold air), and the floor with the highest humidity content and moist air.

Why do my hardwood floors look wavy?

As wood absorbs moisture, it can swell. When hardwood flooring swells too much, individual boards will start to push out around the edges and be higher than the center—creating an indentation that runs the length of the board that gives it a “wavy” appearance.

Why is my hardwood floor damp?

Moisture under hardwood floors is often caused by four factors: water on or under the floor, high humidity, poor installation, or no acclimation. Wood is hygroscopic and vulnerable to moisture, leading the boards to peel away from the subfloor and can cause discoloring on the hardwood floor.

How long does it take for a dehumidifier to dry out a room?

However, drying time will vary depending on the amount of water damage, the size of the area, and the model. As a general rule of thumb, commercial dehumidifiers take between 24 and 48 hours depending on the size of the area. Household models will usually take at least a week to dry water damage.

What does water damaged hardwood floors look like?

Staining: Staining is simply the discoloration on the hardwood floors, due to water damage. Staining comes in two forms, white stains and black stains. White stains come in the form of white circles on your hardwood floors. They indicate that the floor's finish has been mildly damaged, due to the build-up of moisture.

How do you protect a wood floor from water damage?

One of the best and easiest ways to protect your hardwood flooring from water damage is to lay down mats and rugs throughout the house. Place mats at the entrances to your home to keep wet, muddy shoes from traipsing onto your floors, and put a mat at the base of any sinks to protect your flooring from splashing water.

Can you fix water damaged wood floors?

Depending on the severity of damage, the hardwood floors may only need to be refinished. In some cases patching is required to replace the damaged boards prior to refinishing. In the worst case scenario, the entire floor needs to be removed and replaced.

How do I know if my floor has water damage?

If you have water damaged subfloors, you'll likely notice your floors are swollen or lifted. They may also feel soft or squishy when stepped on. The best choice for damaged subflooring is usually to have it replaced — especially if it is growing mold.

Can mold grow under hardwood floors?

Mold grows on organic materials in environments with high humidity or trapped moisture. Unfortunately for your hardwood floors that means they are vulnerable to damage and mold growth underneath them when there has been water or flood damage.

Will buckled floors go back down?

If the buckling is only minor, in many cases the boards might return back to normal. If the boards are still showing areas of damage and buckling, you'll need to replace them.

Will warped floors go back to normal?

Cupped flooring looks bad but it's almost always reversible. It can usually be corrected by simply restoring proper humidity inside the room, which will help balance out the moisture above and below the flooring.

Why is my floor bulging?

When a floor board starts to bulge, it's usually because it is warped. Hardwood floors usually warp because they have been exposed to water, or excessive humidity. The water causes the fibers in the wood to swell and shrink. A board that is severely bulged will most likely need to be replaced.

Is 60% humidity okay?

What is healthy humidity? It is recommended to keep indoor relative humidity between 30 and 50 per cent, if possible. People typically find a relative humidity between 30 to 60 per cent most comfortable.