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Subfloor Moisture Testing Prior To
Hardwood Floor Installation
Subfloor Moisture Testing is Critical to do
Prior to Installing a Hardwood Floor or Laminate Floor
By Mark J. Donovan
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If you
are planning to have a hardwood floor or laminate
floor installed it is imperative to first have the
subfloor moisture tested. Moisture testing should
be done whether the subfloor is wood or concrete.
Subfloor moisture testing determines if the
subfloor contains too much moisture for hardwood
or laminate floor installation. Installing a
hardwood floor or laminate floor on a subfloor
with too high of a moisture content is a ticket
for cupped and warped flooring.
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Asking potential flooring
contractors if they first perform subfloor moisture testing is an excellent
screening question. If they say no, find another flooring contractor.
Hardwood and laminate flooring costs too much to have it installed
improperly, and good luck trying to get them back to repair it, or warranty
it, months after the floor begins to show signs of moisture damage.
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Photo By Mark Donovan |
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Moisture Level
Testers
Subfloor moisture testing is
performed with a hand held meter than can measure the subfloor’s moisture
content. Some moisture level testers can test various types of material,
e.g. wood, concrete, and even drywall for percent moisture content levels.
They are expensive however, and thus probably not worth the homeowner
purchasing one to perform the test him or herself. However the flooring
installation contractor should have a moisture level tester and should use it to determine if the subfloor is
viable for installing the hardwood or laminate flooring.
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If the
subfloor moisture test results show too high of a
moisture level then the subfloor should be dried
out before installing the hardwood or laminate
flooring.
The
maximum level of moisture level in the subfloor
that is acceptable depends upon the hardwood floor
or laminate floor manufacturer’s installation
recommendations. In general, however, the National
Wood Flooring Association suggests a maximum
allowable moisture level in the subfloor of 4-18%,
depending upon the species of wood and local
climate. Also important is the difference in
moisture levels between the subfloor and the to-be
installed hardwood floor or laminate floor
material. Again, installers should rely on the
manufacturer’s recommendation however the maximum
difference should not exceed 4%.
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Low Cost DIY
Concrete Subfloor Moisture Test
For concrete subfloors there is a
simple and low cost moisture test that homeowners can perform. Simply tape down
in several locations around the concrete floor, 3”x3” patches of clear
polyethylene plastic. After 2 days, check the plastic patches for the formation
of condensation on the side facing the concrete. Also check the concrete floor
under the patch for any discoloration. If you see any of these symptoms, then
you know you have a moisture problem. You should address this problem prior to
installing hardwood or laminate flooring.
Acclimating
Hardwood and Laminate Flooring to Installation area
When installing hardwood and laminate
flooring it is important to allow the new hardwood or laminate flooring material
to acclimate to the local humidity level of the room prior to being installed.
To do this, the hardwood or laminate flooring should be stored in the room 2 or
3 days prior to the actual installation. Not only will this help make the
flooring installation process go smoother, it will also help to minimize the
likelihood of future cupping, warping or gaps to form in the flooring.
For more help on new home construction,
see HomeAdditionPlus.com’s
Home Construction Contractor Bid Sheets.
Home
Construction Contractor Bid Sheets
will
help ensure that you find and hire the right home building contractor
for your next home improvement, remodeling, or building project. In
addition, they will help to ensure that your home improvement project is
completed on time and on budget.
Related Flooring Information
Additional Flooring Resources from Amazon.com
Subfloor Moisture Testers and other Flooring Tools
from Amazon.com
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