Plywood Floor Is Buckling

However if the cause is moisture related finding the source and fixing it could cure the buckling without having to replace anything.

Plywood floor is buckling. However it appears at first glance that it is actually the osb subfloor that is pulling loose from the joists. Because soil shifts and house frames settle there is usually a slight variation in floor level. Floor buckling happens most often after a floor has been flooded for an extended period of. During installation run a vapor barrier under the vinyl plank flooring to help prevent buckling from moisture.

Buckling occurs when the wood flooring actually pulls up from the subfloor lifting several inches in one or more places. The planks may show separation at the joints and the floor become uneven because of buckling. Hardwood floors buckle when the humidity levels in the lower levels of the house are too high in the crawlspace or basement explains the basement health association in the article negative effects on hardwood floors. Before you consider repairing buckled flooring at all you must find the source of the problem.

The majority of this 1600 sq ft home is done in 3 4 solid red oak flooring some of it about 25 is the original oak flooring. There are environmental factors that can cause buckling or it may be because of faulty installation. If you have a noticeable hump in the floor however something. Fortunately this is not a common occurrence.

If the wood structural panels are tightly butted there is no room for expansion and buckling can occur. Plywood and oriented strand board osb like all wood products will expand or shrink slightly with changes in moisture content. Drought after a period of prolonged drought the soil under the foundation of the home can dry out and this can cause the house to settle causing structural damage. If water seeps up under the flooring from an extremely moist concrete subfloor the adhesive can be weakened causing buckling in the floors.

The wet subfloor wets the bottom of wood flooring which causes the bottom of the planks to swell causing cupping in summer she said. Floor buckling is the most extreme reaction to moisture in a hardwood floor. The tile buckling problem is most always caused by structural damage to the subfloor or foundation. Over the last 2 years the floor has started buckling.

That can mean costly time consuming callbacks. The higher quality the material the less likely it is to buckle due to moisture. How to repair a hump in the floor. Again if the issue is related to improper installation you may be at risk of replacing the entire floor.