As we inch closer to the summer months and warmer weather, we must also be prepared for the return of humidity in our daily lives. While this has an effect not only on our personal lives in terms of making outdoor activities nearly unbearable at times, it can also have an effect on your hardwood floors. Drastic swings in humidity levels can cause damage to your hardwood floors, whether that’s high or low levels of humidity. So let’s take a look at how varying levels of humidity can affect your floors and what you can do to maintain your floors during periods of high or low humidity.

High Humidity Levels

When there are high levels of humidity in the air, your hardwood floors can absorb excess moisture. As the floorboards absorb this moisture, they begin to swell and put pressure on the neighboring floorboards. This pressure can lead to warping and cupping; sometimes in less than a week. This can happen to both natural and engineered hardwood floors.

Low Humidity Levels

In the winter months, when there is less moisture in the air, your hardwood floors begin to expel the moisture it had absorbed during the summer. When this happens, the floorboards begin to contract, which can lead to gaps between the boards. Additionally, if there are long, extended periods of low humidity, floorboards can begin to crack and permanent gaps may start to develop.

Maintaining Your Hardwood Floors In Varying Humidity Levels

While you have no control over the weather, what you can control is what you do to keep your floors in the best condition. Here are some tips from the staff here at Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring on how to properly maintain your hardwood flooring during times of high or low humidity.

• Use a dehumidifier during warm months to maintain a 40-60% humidity range
• Use a humidifier during cold months to maintain a 40-60% humidity range
• Use proper cleaning products to clean your hardwood floors, not water or water-based products
• Don’t use a wet or damp mop to clean spills
• Clean up spills as quickly as possible so the moisture doesn’t absorb into the hardwood boards.

If you have hardwood floors in your home, this information will likely be very useful to you in the coming months as warmer weather approaches. If you have any questions about maintenance of your hardwood flooring, don’t hesitate to give Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring a call to speak with one of our knowledgeable staff members. For anyone interested in making the switch to hardwood flooring, Dan’s Wholesale Carpet & Flooring has a massive selection of hardwood flooring products available at our five locations, so you’re sure to find one you love. Give us a call today if you have any questions!