A wood floor inspection process will identify the cause of the checking. Keep in mind the wood floor will tell you the story and it NEVER lies. Let start the process with claim history, a very important part of inspections including interviews with all parties involved to determine an unbiased opinion.
Claim History:
- Flooring selection made at the GC’s design center in October 7, 2011
- Flooring was ordered by designer on October 17, 2011
- Flooring arrived at distribution and took delivery on November 1, 2011
- Flooring was delivered to the jobsite on November 14, 2011
- Flooring installer (subcontractor) began installation November 19, 2011
- Flooring installation completed November 23, 2011
- Owner noticed a few small checks in flooring on November 30, 2011
- Construction meeting was held and portable humidifiers (5) were brought in December 1, 2011
- Second construction meeting held December 9, 2011 and checking has worsened.
- Installer commissioned a wood floor inspection on December 30, 2011
The Process:
Interview with Sales Team: This is a design studio for the GC where most of the interior finish selections are made including flooring. During the interview with the sales team who worked with the owners making the flooring selection mentioned this was the floor the owner wanted. During the sales process there was some discussion about maintaining proper relative humidity (RH) requirements outlined by the manufacturer.
Interview with Installer: Requested flooring contractor field notes and recorded as follows:
Wood MC 7-9%
Subfloor 2.8 – 3# (ASTM 1869)
RH Interior RH ranged from 30 to 38 during installation
Witnessed photos and log sheet to confirm information accuracy
Interview with GC: Project manager stated the checking began almost immediately after install which indicated to them that it must be a wood problem. Why 5 portable humidifiers? He stated the mechanical contractor ordered the wrong parts and new parts
are on back order. I requested the RH levels he recorded at the site meeting and he said they were around 22%.
Inspection: Upon inspection there were 5 portable humidifiers yet the RH couldn’t get above 15%, some rooms measured 9%. The entire floor has severe checking where the flooring wear layer looks like a shattered windshield. The built in humidifier on the HVAC system was present, however was non functioning due to back ordered parts.
Cause of Concern: The floor was installed to manufacturers RH parameters, yet the HVAC system could not support these requirements post installation. The manufacturer guidelines clearly state RH requirements must be maintained between 30 and 55% pre, during and post installation. The project manager scheduled the installation knowing the humidifier was non functioning. The weather during the installation was mild, however immediately after install the weather turned for the worse and near 10ºF. The portable humidifiers could not keep up with the demand. The checking is caused from decline in moisture content since the day of installation.
Cure: There is no easy fix; full replacement is the only choice.
Call the Question: How could have this disaster been prevented? What solution can be offered to resolve these business relationships?
Humidity, or lack therof is the obvious culprit. However I just wonder if this particular species and it's construction method MIGHT BE right edge of the reality of the climate in which it was sold and installed. Is it really possible in high latitude areas to maintain humidity above 35% DURING THE HEATING SYSTEM SINCE MOST BUILT-IN HUMIDIFIES DO NOT OPERATE UNLESS THE HEATING SYSTEM IS DOING SO. Many dense species have a difficult time working well on the bottom edge of RH recommendations.
ReplyDeleteAs a consumer I would never think that if my heating system went down it is likely that I will lose my $20K floor nor would I really like having to have my humidity so high in relationship to the exterior that me windows are always fogged up. And if my heating system fials so goes the humidifier...does my homeowners insurance cover it? Scary if ya think about it.
Neil
Neil, as you are well aware the importance of RH conditions for all wood floors to perform normal. Yes many older HVAC systems have old controllers meaning they CAN NOT run independent of the heat cycle. New Honeywell controllers do have 2 settings "auto or on". In the on setting if the humidistat is calling for RH then it will turn on the blower independent of the heat. Other systems use outdoor sensors to determine outdoor temp and set the proper RH for the home keeping condensation off the windows.
DeleteHere is a question related to this specific Hickory replacement . Suppose that the customer insisted on having the floor replaced with Hickory again . Would sealing all six sides of each Hickory flooring board eleminate the need to be concerned about the moisture in the enviroment ? I never see professional recommendations to seal each board of a floor . Why is that this simple technique is rarely discussed . Seems fairly obvious and has worked for me many times . If each board is sealed 100% then moisture can not enter or leave the floor . I would appreciate your technical explanation Roy . Thanks . Billy's Floors
ReplyDeleteBilly by sealing all 6 sides only reduces moisture adsorption/desorption but over time the EMC will be reached. Look at Asian products shipped into the US they are many times sealed on all 6 sides and they still have adsorption/desorption properties. Tests that we performed only reduced the rate of transmission by 2 weeks.
DeleteThe floor in this blog failed in only 5 weeks and coating on all 6 sides would not have prevented it.
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ReplyDeleteThis is often because many wood manufacturers don't accept returns of opened boxes, and there's always a considerable restocking charge, if returns are allowed. The contractor is placing an order on your behalf and for your job specifically. If you modify your mind after order placement there's not much which will be through with the wood purchased for your project.
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