expanding wooden floor

[DIYMUM]

Had a solid wood floor laid last summer. It expanded badly and had to get the fitter back out. He didn't do a great job and am reluctant to get him back. This autumn I've had some more expansion as the central heating is being used, although the expansion is much less noticable than last year. Wondering if there is any way to resolve the problem without having to get the fitter back?

 

[WoodYouLike]

Hi DIYmum

Wood works during all the different seasons: expanding when there is higher air-humidity, shrinking when the humidity is low. In Autumn two things happen at the same time: higher humidity and starting of the heating seasons.
That your floor hasn't 'worked' as much as last year might be a sign it is finally 'settling' into your normal house climate .
What you can do first is to buy a hygrometer (with minimum-maximum memory) and check the humidity on a weekly or even daily base. It's best to try to keep the humidity in your house between 45 and 65 percent, you can increase the humidity by installing water containers onto radiators, buying plants (and watering them weekly) and you can decrease humidity by: ventilating your house daily (so excess moist can escape outside).

Hope this helps

 

[DIYMUM]

Thanks for your advice. Have been trying to increase my humidity and I feel there is a little improvement. Of course I have nice cold concrete under my floor so I guess it was always going to be tricky.

 

[gcol]

If your floor is expanding, you want to reduce the humidity not increase it.