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.

What causes ripples in hardwood floors?

Wood is hygroscopic, meaning that it absorbs and releases moisture. When one side of the floor is exposed to excessive moisture, that side will expand, causing the whole board to warp away from that side. The sides of the boards curl up, resulting in the characteristic “U” shape of a cupped floor.

How do you fix waves in hardwood floors?

Cutting at a slight angle — seven to 15 degrees —with the big machine helps prevent wave and flattens the floor. The angle works much like a 45 degree angle but with less abuse to the grain of the wood. This also removes the sanding scratch from the last grit.

Why does the floor look wavy?

There are two kinds of damage that can make your floor appear wavy. They are known as warping and cupping. In either case, this damage is because of humidity or moisture or just related to water in general. Sometimes, this happens because of a shift in weather, perhaps due to the seasons changing.

Will floor cupping go away?

When the temperature and humidity change, the cupping will probably go away. Major cupping caused by water damage is another matter. However, it's possible that once you've determined the source of the moisture, the floor will dry out eventually and the cupping will disappear.

What Causes Wood Floor Cupping

What does hardwood floor cupping look like?

The simplest way to think of wood floor cupping is to imagine the edges of each plank sticking up higher than the centers. It ends up looking a little like an accordion. If you imagine a picture of a child drawing a boat in the water, then the water will give you a good idea of what a cupped floor looks like.

Can you flatten cupped hardwood floors?

For a solid floor as flooring acclimates to the space the initial cupping will subside and gapping will be the issue of the finished floor. In this case allowing the flooring to complete a heating season will likely fix the cupping as the elevated moisture will be removed by the heating and the flooring will flatten.

How do you fix a wavy floor?

One of the best ways to fix the issue of uneven floor is to use floor patch product. It can be used in concrete subfloor or wooden subfloor. It is best for leveling floors that has dips, slanting issues, cracks and chipping problems.

Can warped wood floors be fixed?

When it comes to buckled hardwood flooring options, the good news is that your floor might not need a major repair job. A buckled floor with only minor damage can sometimes be repaired simply by removing the excess moisture, but serious buckling will necessitate replacing the hardwood boards.

Will warped wood floor 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.

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.

What is floor buckling?

However, wood flooring is particularly finicky and is susceptible to all kinds of issues, including buckling. Buckling happens when your floorboards expand and contract, leading to humps, uneven surfaces, and unsightly marks.

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.

Should I worry about uneven floors?

If you're considering purchasing a home with uneven floors, don't wait to investigate the potential issues beneath the home's surface. The slope or slant of the floor may be a minor cosmetic issue, or it could indicate water damage or major problems with the home's structure or foundation.

What causes dips in floors?

Most commonly, floor sloping occurs as a result of natural forces shifting the home over time, water damage, windows losing structural integrity, or faulty construction of a home's original foundation.

How do you fix wavy floors in an old house?

How long does it take for hardwood floors to Cup?

This process may take weeks, months or even an entire heating season. Sanding should not take place until all moisture levels have returned to normal. As a general rule of thumb, if there is a difference of 2% moisture content or more between the top-side and the underside of the flooring, it is not likely done drying.

Will a dehumidifier help hardwood floors?

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. Humidity tends to increase during the summer, so use a dehumidifier during this season to bring the level down into the 40-60% range.

How do you stop hardwood floors from cupping?

Does wood swelling go down?

Water damage can have severe consequences that results in wood floor swelling or buckling from the humidity. Luckily, there is an easy solution to dealing with swollen hardwood floors. Although it is a relatively simple solution, the entire repair process will most likely take months.

Is a humidifier necessary for hardwood floors?

A humidifier is necessary for your hardwood floors if you live in an extremely cold or dry environment. You should consider getting a humidifier if the humidity levels in your area and home drop below 35% for large parts of the year. You may need only to run your humidifier during certain seasons.

How do you get moisture out of 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.

Is high humidity bad for hardwood floors?

Your hardwood floor during the Humid Season

During warm and humid summers, your hardwood floor will absorb moisture from the air, swelling and expanding as a result. This expansion can create pressure between the boards, which can cause the boards to warp, cup or crack.