When steam cleaning, vapors can and do recombine to form liquid water that sit on and wick into wood. With water wood floors naturally expand and contract. This expansion and contraction result in two major forms of wood deformation: “cupping” and “crowding.”

Cupping (The concave deformation of wood floor) and Crowding (the convex deformation of wood floors) are common issues that develop with high humidity. Both problems occur across the width of the flooring material.

Cupping is when the edges of a board are high and its center is lower. This occurs after water spills onto the floor and is absorbed by the wood. If the wood expands significantly, compression set can result as the boards are crushed together, deforming the boards at the edges.

Cupping is caused by a moisture imbalance through the thickness of the wood: The wood is wetter on the bottom of the board than on the top. Conversely, crowding occurs when the wood is wetter on the top of the board.

The first step in repairing a cupped floor is to identify and eliminate the moisture source. In the kitchen, it may be a leak from the dishwasher or icemaker. From outdoors, it might be the terrain of the lot, with rain and runoff not moving away from the house and foundation. Indoors, the humidity may need to be controlled, or a plumbing leak may be causing excess moisture in the basement, which migrates up into the subfloor and from there into the wood flooring.

Once the source of the moisture is controlled, cupping can usually be cured. The floor may improve on its own as it dries out over time. Other times, fans may be needed to speed the drying process. Once the moisture content has stabilized, the floor can be reassessed. Choices may be to do nothing at all, to recoat the floor, or to sand and refinish the floor.

It should be noted that some slight cupping and crowning may occur naturally, and should be tolerated. The bark side of lumber shrinks and swells more than the side closest to the center of the tree. Largely seasonal in occurrence, it’s common in wider planks. Its appearance can be minimized by using a beveled-edge flooring product with a satin finish, rather than square-edge flooring with a high gloss finish.

For more information on getting your floors fixed, ask your ProSand Flooring specialist.

We recommend using one of the many chemical-free, non-toxic cleaners on the market today, combined with a microfiber applicator pad. We use environmentally-friendly Bona products, which are wax- and silicone-free. These cleaners also contain a drying agent to speed up the drying process, a real plus because moisture and wood don’t mix.

Microfiber pads pick up dirt, dust and moisture instead of just pushing it around. Even better, they’re machine washable, so you can use them again and again.

We like Bona Cleaners so much we give every client an introductory supply and sell it too. It’s also available at Lowe’s, Do It Best Hardware and Target stores.

Did you know that in a national survey of real estate professionals, 90% say that homes with wood flooring sell faster and for higher prices than homes without wood floors?  Also, because wood floors do not hold dust or allergens many health organizations agree that wood floors are the perfect choice for a healthy home.

Today, the maintenance of wood flooring is easy because of the new technology in stains and finishes.  It takes little more than regular sweeping or vacuuming to keep your floors looking fresh.   As needed for a more thorough cleaning, the occasional use of a professional wood floor cleaning product is suggested.  Please consult with your wood flooring specialist for recommendations of the proper cleaning product, and this will ensure you use the proper cleaner for your specific wood floor and finish.

Types of Wood Flooring

SOLID WOOD FLOORING: Solid wood ranges in thickness from ¼” to 25/32”, but some can be as thick as 1”.  Width will depend on the style, species, cut and the look you want to achieve in your home.

ENGINEERED WOOD FLOORING: This product is constructed in various layers with the grain alternating in opposite directions which gives this product more stability and is recommended for installation in areas where solid wood is not practical or cannot be installed.  Engineered flooring is usually available in 3-5 ply.

ACRYLIC INPREGNATED FLOORING: The wood grain of this product is injected with an acrylic material making it very hard and durable.  This type of flooring is best suited for commercial applications such as restaurants, malls and other high traffic areas.  With today’s choices of patterns and colors this product could also be an alternative for use in your home.

Styles of Wood Flooring

STRIP FLOORING: This is flooring with a lineal tongue and grove construction most often ranging in width of 1.5” to 2.25”.  This product is available in solid or engineered woods.

PLANK FLOORING: This is the same as strip flooring except for the width.  Most plank flooring widths start at 3” or 3.25” and increase in width by 1” increments with some varieties reaching up to 12-14” wide.  This product is available in solid or engineered woods.

PARQUET FLOORING: This is pieces of wood flooring most often installed in a geometrically designed pattern.

Colors of Wood Flooring

There is a large variety of colors to fit any décor.  You can achieve unique looks with the many custom stains and finishes available.  If your floor is beginning to show its age you can achieve an entirely new look with a new stain and finish; the possibilities are endless.

Species of Wood Flooring

Today, wood flooring is available in many species, both domestic and exotic.  There are many colors, hardness and price ranges to be considered.  Your flooring specialist can help you decide which species will meet the needs of your home and your budget.

Cuts of Wood Flooring

The angle a wood board is cut determines the look of the finished product.  Wood flooring is cut either plain sawn, quarter swan or rift sawn.

PLAIN SAWN: This is the most common cut used for wood flooring.  The cut board contains more variation than the other two kinds of cuts because the grain patterns from the growth rings are more obvious.  This cut produces the most board feet per log and is the most economical for residential applications.

QUARTER SAWN: This cut produces less board feet per log and is therefore more expensive, but will wear more evenly over time and is less likely to twist or cup.

RIFT SAWN: This cut is similar to quarter-sawing but the log is cut at a slightly different angle.  This cut produces the least board feet per log and is more expensive.

Splatter areas in the kitchen near the stove and sink, entryways from the outside and entryways to wet or dirty areas, such as a garage, pool or patio, need protection too. Rugs are an easy answer. Make sure when you vacuum the rugs to vacuum underneath as well to remove any grit or dirt that could scratch the floor.

Never Wax a Urethane Floor – If you have a polyurethane finish on your hardwood floors you should never apply a wax. The wax may leave a sticky film on your floor which will attract and hold dirt. Always use the manufacturer’s recommended polishes and cleaners.