I would not recommend re-drying finished plywood. of water/day/1000 sq. The floor installer put the floors down without allowing the boards to acclimate. So, when looking at the relative humidity of the space, spaces left above 70% RH for extended periods will also promote mold growth. Maximum Moisture Content Of Concrete This is a nominal value most product manufacturers specify when concrete is dry enough to allow their product to lay down on it. The table had a 1 3/4 X 3 1/2 thick boarder with mitred corners and biscuited. My question for you is, now that it is stained, can I still get an accurate MC? Logs, siding, shiplap, and T&G must be kiln-dried to stop the wood from shrinking or pulling apart. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. I live in upstate South Carolina. A company sealed off the foundation vents and removed all the insulation from the crawlspace with the humidifier mitigating the moisture from the leaks. The humidity in the room is currently 40! Position plywood panels at a 2-inch offset from the structural subfloor seams. If humidity levels in the crawlspace with all these measures taken place is above 60% the joist and the subfloor will have a high MC reading. Having performed multiple (>500) soil moisture and density Sieve and Proctor, so I am well versed in moisture calculations (both add and subtract). 16% 20% Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. As it dries, you should expect slight changes in width and length. )IS0i 1P *V? U? 1 4 Hi Larry, just finished a black Walnut dining room table back in November. I had engineered hard wood installed and it is curling at the joints. One type of wood moisture meter. I have seen that 13.5% is high for furniture and you should aim below 12%. During the summer months, when outdoor humidity is high, the hot/humid air enters the crawl space through the foundation vents and condenses on cool objects. The wood looks awful, and the staining the did is even worse. A study by Imamura and Kiguchi (1999) showed that wood moisture content in excess of 20% can cause a 5% loss of nail shank diameter in four years and a projected 25% loss in 30 years. As this moisture condenses on the floor system, it wets the wood. A floor joist is a horizontal beam, usually made of wood, that is used to support and enclose the flooring above a foundation. Headers, columns, and joists are rotting. Hug the ones you love when you see them! Hello and thanks for writing in. After my inspection I wrote the following report: As per your request, I visited the subject residence today to evaluate mold or fungus growth on the floor joists. Box 1437 Its hard to gauge anything off of a cheapo meter, but if and I mean if, we were to assume it was reading effectively, the numbers are too high. If he is using a high-quality product from companies such as Delmhorst, they provide a slide hammer pin attachment, and they need to use insulated-shaft pins. Thank you so much for your time and expertise. Its not growing or feeding on the wood. You can determine the correct percent moisture content by using our free app called WoodH2O. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. You can Google moisture content of wood necessary to support fungal growth and see for yourself. our question is do we need to replace the floor to avoid fungal problems? Hi Larry, We are a joinery company and we have a project here in UAE which is located in another part of the emirates and the humidity in that area is very high especially during summer because it is near the coastal area. The best way to do this is to use an accurate moisture meter. Even at this, the estimate would be the high end of MC% prior to shipment, but only rough estimate. for a mere $4900. Can I a cut them first, then glue them once they are dryer? For a wooden subfloor you will need to use a 2-pronged moisture meter. Most interior wood is in this range. So, to sum up, Moisture in crawlspaces is bad. The house was not in the flood area however they did receive 20 inches of rain. The subfloor registered from 12% to 17% . P.O. They are returning to remove one plank and take it back to see what they can do to meet my satisfaction. 78 0 obj <>stream This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. The lumber was recently milled, although the tree had been cut months, years ago. A mold or mildew odor or appearance on surfaces. I have come across this and havent made the purchase from my friend because I am not sure about the warp or breaking it will come. The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has specific installation guidelines for wood flooring and how they relate to moisture content. The inspector said his meter reading taken from my basement on subflooring/joists/framing was too high. Do these levels seen appropriate considering the recent rainfall. So please help us to know what should be required moisture level in Acacia board in final product if we need to restrict wood movement at Colorado . I have a question. Therefore, just because the wood is kiln-dried doesnt mean it has lost the ability to absorb moisture. Add 1 to this value and round up the answer to the next whole number: 7.40625 + 1 = 8.40625 9 floor joists. Well, tile, bricks, and stones are known to have a low water-holding capacity and therefore should be dry. Turn on the meter. 3.Vacuum and/or Wipe Excess Moisture. . i want to make a headboard from it. I may have missed this already but I have a few quick questions. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum, sump pump, or rags to clean up standing water or excess moisture from the floor and from the surface of the wood. I have seen home built in the dead of winter, covered in snow, and still dry out enough for a successful home build. I cant speak for other pinless meters but our Wagner meters are not sensitive to the temperatures you indicated. Alternatively, you could set up a crawl space dehumidifier and draw the . Longer pins with insulated shafts are designed for the purpose. board will move twice as much as a 4-in. all concrete) is framed and sheetrocked (though not mudded or sealed in any way) is then the studs are tested for humidity, what would be a reasonable level here in Seattle, living approximately 100 yards Puget Sound? Acclimation is the process for conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment where it will be installed. The angle iron will prevent much warping, and I do plan on finishing all sides (and ends). Is this dry enough that Id be able to reinstall the trim over the particleboard? Thank you. A moisture content reading of 25% is borderline to support mold. Larry Loffer is a senior technician at Wagner Meters, where he has over 30 years of experience in wood moisture measurement. I requested the treated lumber be brought in a few weeks prior to build, stickered and put under cover to acclimate and dry it. SE, Huntsville, AL 35802. I have an unusual question, if I was to sandwich recycled paper (similar to hardwood floor paper only heavier) between 2 layers of wood as a draft stop what should the moisture content be to avoid the paper absorbing any water and ending up with a mold issue thanks in advance for any info you can provide. These varying humidity levels of the surrounding air cause wood to not only gain or lose water moisture but to expand or shrink as well. can be laid with falls and set downs. I had a water leak under my crawl space which has 3 inches of foam insulation applied to the underside of the sub floor. Furniture maker Lonnie Bird weighs in, I dont want the wood to shrink after I use it because the wood will warp or split.. ft., and averaging the results. Check joints and bottom plates as moisture can get trapped here. Floors-1/2" in 12' or 3/16" in 4'. It gains or loses water moisture as the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air changes. The electrical current will then move from pin to pin and measure the resistance encountered. Oiling the surface does not control the moisture in the wood. Divide that difference by the sum of the on-center spacing of the floor joists: 118.5" / 16" = 7.40625. Is it possible to get a 99.9% moisture reading (using a Cassain GM-200 hydrometer) on a particle board floor which looks and feels completely dry? I found your website at just the right time. For instance, the subfloor may appear to be dry on the surface, but still have elevated moisture within the panels. I read your article and really like it. Structural flooring for laying direct to joists or battens is a minimum of 19mm thick. You are correct, furniture grade hardwood is typically dried between 6 to 9%. A dehumidifier in the crawlspace will help but can be expensive. We have a free App called WoodH2O that will tell you the moisture content given certain temperature and humidity conditions. I checked it with my new moisture meter and had a reading of between 8-13.5%. It seems to me the supplier is drying the Teak to 14% because that is what is needed in Indonesia. Free Webinar The What, Why, and How of Wood Moisture Testing. I know the rule of thumb is 1 year of dry time per inch of thickness of wood. These WMC readings are usually provided by pest control operators, and are included in the termite letter (form CL-100 Official South Carolina Wood Infestation Report). Subtract the width of your floor joist from your floor's length: 120" 1.5" = 118.5". During the summer, moisture content readings above . The pins are pressed into the wood to obtain a reading. Good moisture content for softwoods is 10% to 14% moisture. This should be stuck into your wooden subfloor. This water may come from condensation, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, or contact with the soil. However, this time I was planning to use oil based poly rather than the spar urethane to reduce the amount of yellowing. Also, there is a risk of mold. And would it be normal for the MC to vary from board-to-board and one end of a board to the other? or finally the product will be placed where. i am baffled. Any input would be most appreciated. The floors have started cupping across the entire area with more in some parts. Do you agree with this? Building Performance Series No. Many timber-framed floor problems can be traced to moisture levels, excessive loads or borer. Thank you for sharing such valuable information. I recently received a call from a Realtor who is selling a home. Continue reading MC in the home. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it picks up or loses moisture based on the ambient conditions. In March of this year I had new white oak 2 flooring installed. This app will tell you the percent moisture content that a given temperature and humidity will equilibrate to. Your help for resolving this issue would be highly appreciated . "Mold requires moisture to survive, so protecting lumber and wood structures from moisture will prevent mold growth. I not sure if this is normal, related to the re-shim or need to install a crawl space dehumidifier to slow the progression? Wood is a hygroscopic material that contains water, even after it is cut from a tree. If the wood would really arrive with a MC of 14%, we would not have any problems. Waterproof membrane . Any thoughts as to what the issue was with the first install so we dont have the same issue again next year after we go through a new install? Thank you. The difference is the moisture meters measurement error. Observed water leaking along seams of several sheets of original plywood in attic. I have built two table tops (douglas fir) that have both suffered major cracking in their final location. I am building a farm style dining table with pecan 2 thick X 8-0 long boards. 2nd question, will lacquer on surface of flooring affect the reading. we are getting hardwoods from our Uk Suppliers and accoya coming in at 2% and once we use the timber we are reading 0% we have tested the reader and its accurate even joinery grade sapele wood and Tulip wood coming in at 0% we cover these in 3 coats of sikkens paint and sometimes we get jobs where we are having to go back as our joinery is moving and we are guessing its because of these moisture levels and had never checked previously. The water wasnt properly dried and organic growth was discovered by previous owner. Moisture content of 11.5% for the oak is a little high for furniture grade hardwoods. We have had on/off rain and humidity 80-90% range. They said if i wanted to spend the money, a humidifier would help keep the humidity inside the house more consistent throughout the year. I manufacture ice cream sticks and disposable wooden cutlery from European Baltic birch wood in India. This type of floor-leveling is DIY-friendly and costs approximately $1.50 per square foot when applied 1/8-inch thick. I would think at least fixing your dehumidifier is a must. Best, Kyle. Mold and fungus in the crawl space can definitely become a problem, but dont be fooled into thinking that a Borate spray HAS to be applied in EVERY situation. Cut in the spring and stacked and dried them over the summer. The solution seems to be drying the wood longer & bettter, to a lower measured MC. Make sure theyre aligned with the grain and not across it. Im planning on using some of it to build a new front door for the house and was wondering what MC I should be shooting for. You wrote that 15% humidity may induce mold? There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. With the WoodH2O-app I could deduct the EMC for The Netherlands would be between 15 and 16. https://www.wagnermeters.com/wood-moisture-meters/. The size of the lumber used for floor joists is the single greatest determining factor in terms of how far a joist can span. with the spring thaw, i was one of the lucky ones that got water in my basement. The typical moisture content for hardwoods that will be indoors is 6-9 percent. Here's a good rule of thumb: Notches should be no deeper than 1/6 the depth of the joist. The EMC of wood or lumber exposed to an outdoor atmosphere varies across the U.S. For instance, in the coastal city of Seattle, the EMC of wood or lumber is higher than the EMC of cities inland or in the Southwest. Its still there and causing stains and scaring inexperienced home inspectors who frighten buyers, but its dormant. (He didnt cite a figure.) I was able to get the MC down to 15%. The crawl space must be a minimum of 18" to the bottom of the floor joists, and the soil in the crawl space covered with a heavy duty plastic moisture barrier, and sealed at the seams. At this home, cool objects include the air conditioning ductwork, the ground and the overlying wood floor system, which is exposed to very cool temperatures due to air conditioning duct leakage. Based on common guidelines or recommendations, the acceptable moisture levels for wood are as follows: Keep in mind that a woods acceptable moisture level will depend primarily on how it will be finally used and the average RH where it will be finally used. We also have an Orion 950 moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. Wood Rot in Crawl Spaces: Whats That Smell in My House. If I dry too much, theres discoloration and breakage of product during polishing. i dont understand how the bottom beam looks like swiss cheese from all the holes ive drilled and has had a commercial blower on it for days yet the number is still high despite there being no visible water to keep the wood wet. Though on occasion, they are made of 2x10s and tripled for additional . The rim joist and floor joist sit right on the block. What is the optimal MC of the fir stock for construction of the windows? However, many building materials may have been dried down to about 15% moisture content. Water Level Survey: Are You Smarter Than an Egyptian? Best of luck with your project. However, it The ideal moisture content will depend on the humidity indoors. My question is microwaving twice turned bowls what would be the general rule of thumb for a target by weight. While oven-dry testing, if followed correctly, offers accurate results, there are a few drawbacks: These three drawbacks mean that oven-dry testing usually isnt the option of choice for hobbyists who work with wood. Call 256-318-0982 or, Engineering Inspection Mortgage Companies, Unnecessary Panic! We are manufacturer of eng wood flooring. Bird, who runs the School of Fine Woodworking outside Knoxville, Tennessee, says he knows wood shrinks seasonally but wants to minimize the shrinkage and expansion by drying the wood to a moisture content of about 8%. Everyone who works with wood needs to understand how wood interacts with moisture in the environment. 10? We found out that RH at the final location was under 20%. This makes pinless moisture meters perfect for measuring the moisture content of things like expensive hardwood floors. These home inspectors are insecure and inexperienced. A general rule of thumb for the coastal regions of FL would be 11-13%MC. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. Truss Uplift: Who Would Have Ever Thunk It? As with any wood product, the environment where the finished product will Live will determine the correct moisture content. You can now understand the meaning of moisture content 5.5%, 15 g/m2/24 hours, and relative humidity 75% with these facts. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. He asked if I could double-check the findings of another home inspection company that requested expert advice on some mold/fungus they found in the crawl space of the home. "R. I am not aware of a standard moisture content for packaging food or any other product. Its always a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the finish also. The floor immediately felt stronger. The next question is almost the same as before, if we have various kinds of wood, such as March wood, mango wood, pine. Good moisture content for hardwoods is 6% to 9% moisture. Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. This will drastically speed up the drying process. I will get further testing from those not involved. Mold and fungus in the crawl space can definitely become a problem, but dont be fooled into thinking that a Borate spray HAS to be applied in EVERY situation. Set the meter to the species that makes up the bulk, in this case, the plywood. We just bought a home where we discovered the plumbing was leaking over a number years with a kitchen flood occurring in the last 3-5 years due to a busted water line. in other hardwood areas that wasnt close to the water, was measuring about 16-19%. Im on a grade-level concrete slab, and the water made its way over (under the tiles) to my sink vanity. To achieve this, Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 says that, on near-level sites, the floor level must be no less than 150 mm above the crown of the road or the lowest point of the boundary. In contrast, Las Vegas in the drier Southwest has much lower EMC percentages than most other U.S. cities. If any of these conditions occur, tell your installer right away. After you remove the old flooring, you'll need to ensure the subfloor is properly prepared before laying the new vinyl, hardwood or laminate flooring. Crawl Space Inspections: Once a Year Keeps the Contractors Away! As the airs RH increases, so does the moisture content of any wood exposed to the air. So the question is are those burrs or fuzzing on the edges?, Wed love to have you give us a call to discuss which moisture meter is best for you. I have Suar wood from Indonesia and want use to indoor furniture, how range the Moisture Content allowance for this wood. But this wetness is only surficial. I hope that helps. Just across the threshold to a white oak floor installed in ~1914 and the MC is 15%->16%. During my visit, I crawled to the four main corners of the crawl space and probed the floor system with an electronic moisture meter during this traverse. 800-634-9961, or email sales@wagnermeters.com. We have had very bad cracking in sheetrock and floors. Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing, Flooring, Millwork, Furniture & Cabinet Manufacturers, How to Choose a Moisture Measurement System for Your Sawmill Buying Guide, Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content, Free Download 5 Ways Pinless Moisture Meters Save You Time and Money. What would one expect to read in plywood subfloor and old growth pine floor joist? The wood and varnish appear otherwise pristine, uncracked and not bubbled or clouded in any way. If the middle is wet, you may experience cracking/splitting if dried too fast. Wood used indoors will eventually stabilize at 8-14% moisture content; outdoors at 12-18%. Wood exposed to air with a RH of about 90% will reach a Wood Moisture Content of about 20%. Should you check moisture levels on a trailor floor on a massive rainy day? (EMC) than other pieces of wood, depending on its location. The plumbing was improperly installed with the wrong cement to fit the pipes and could have been leaking from anywhere between 5-29 years while absorbing into the ground. They were installed over existing plywood subfloor. The conversion puts the adjusted MC between 9.5 -> 12%. Once the summer cooling season ends, and the A/C is shut off, and the outside air cools, and the humidity drops significantly, the cool dry air now flowing beneath the home dries out the floor joists. Can I get a away with this? When you do this, you not only ensure that the entire batch is okay on average, but youre also far likelier to catch boards that are statistical outliers and could cause problems. That doesnt make much sense to me. About how long do you think we should allow the new wood to acclimate in the end use environment before installing it? My house is 24 years old. Lay the panels perpendicular to floor joists, allowing 1/4 inch of space between panels and the wall. Please provide us with regular updates. Example: 1.2mm Hickory wear layer 9mm thick plywood compose of 7 layers, 2 layers acacia, 4 layers of Eucalyptus\2 layers Acacia and one layer Poplar. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. 2. With a concrete subfloor you should use a digital hygrometer, which needs to be left in place for at least 24 hours. Two questions I need a reliable, easy to use meter that can cover all species as I now have a portable mill and that can be used for treated. It is best to replace the particle board subfloor. I suspect the moisture was the culprit? The failure in your case sounds as though the piece was exposed to a rapid loss of already low ambient moisture, causing the cracking in the piece. Box 1088, Roseburg, OR 97470 Tel. What humidity content should cedar be at for proper gluing. The excess moisture source should be corrected if found. The reading was sky high in the pan and up two tiles high on the wall. We have industrial fans going 24/7 to try and dry out the room and also have a dehumidifier running, Ive had the heated floor running in hopes that it could help dry any of the wet wood directly below. The same study showed a 40% loss in joint strength and concluded that a 20% MC may significantly compromise shear resistance of exterior walls. What You Should Know About Septic Systems, Interior Slab Foundation Settlement: Evaluations and Cost of Repair. They need to carry a moisture meter with them under houses and probe the floor joists to measure wood moisture content. Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. The average RH of the environment where the wood will be used. These tools will give you the confidence that you have done everything on your part to ensure the highest quality in the piece you have built. i used my dremel with a shaping bit about 1/8 in to cut vertical slits or vents about an inch deep and a couple of inches tall into the bottom 24 and have kept a commercial floor blower on the wood several hours a day for more than a week yet, the number is not going down. You should be able to tell where the water reached the subfloor because it will be discolored and may also be swelled up. Is your electrical outlet that is 3 inches above the floor inside the house? could you please guide or on how much should be the Expected Humidity % in high Humid areas like UAE considering these are mostly for Indoor purpose where ACs are on 247 at say 24 Degrees. Hello Larry I am from Bangladesh. Very simple and understandable. Currently the RH is 76%, the residence RH will be set at around 35%. From a strictly static MC%, 16-20% MC for long duration is going to promote mold growth. To do so: Make two vertical cuts through the joist a safe distance away from each end of the rotten section. if not, can you tell me why? Question for the expert: i recently replaced a toilet that had a leaky wax ring. >V@Ica4R%f%l&/R*liDqx/nB*?1MH}Su>VeyZ3?>vMLqcwY^U. If a board reads 100% (Difficult to measure accurately) then the weight of the water equals the weight of that wood. If decay or WMC readings over 28% are present, find and fix the sources of liquid water quickly. Simply put, the post offers some useful information. Which do you recommend? The next sheet is 21.5% adjacent to 2X4. Once the wood samples weight stops changing, its weight is compared to what it was before the drying process began. If the water leak was bad enough, dry rot can occur causing possible structural integrity issues. Even with lower temperatures, the ideal range for wood keeps relative humidity between 55% and 75%. All that needs to be done at this home is to close-up the foundation vents during every air conditioning season and make sure the ground cover vapor barrier is spread completely over the underlying ground surface. Remove Moisture From The Air - If your crawl space has a lot of ventilation, you should be able to set up a large fan in the opening of the crawl space and leave it to run for 10 to 12 hours. Were looking to replace the floor in an old (unheated) hay barn with treated tongue & Groove 26 flooring and need to know if the advertised 19% MC will be ok and not shrink too much. Wide-spread and often extensive moisture damage occurs in residences across the state of South Carolina and elsewhere in the Southeast due to the regions warm, humid climate. endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream On truss/joist spacing of 16" (406mm) o/c or less, the industry standard for single- panel subflooring is nominal 5/8" (19/32", 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 Plywood subfloor panels ( CD Exposure 1) or 23/32" OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4' x 8' sheets. Replaced the subfloor, which is . I have a question, I have moisture in the crawl space, we insulated the crawl with closed cell, cannot get the osb subfloor below. I just bought a live edge slab of Cherry from a local sawmill that was kiln dried. The fir windows and exterior doors will be affected by the the exterior and interior RH. First, test the moisture level of the subfloor. I dialed the 800 number for Wagner meters and all I got was two sales pitches for a Life alert type device. I think mine is +-3% Is it possible being near the door just means greater humidity and there isnt actually a leak? Walking on Joists Before all accessories and floor decking are installed, I-joists are unstable and can roll over if walked on, leading to injuries. Most types of wood species will mold above 25% moisture content, including pine. -XF% I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. For solid strip flooring (less than 3 wide) there should be no more than a 4% difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. Ideally, it should be between 7% and 9%. A moisture content of less than 20% indicates that your joists and beams do not have the necessary moisture content for mold or fungus to survive. Freshly cut wood has a lot of moisture in it. Other than causing structural damage, too much water can result in mold growth. I live in Charlotte, NC. Thank you for the well described article. Im still not sure that whatever they do will produce a good, long-term result, but I need to know what they should be doing to the wood. I live in coastal South Carolina .we are definitely afraid of mold formation. Thanks for the question. ie SW=Starting weight, TW=Target weight, using T%=Target percentage My calculation ( T% X SW = TW). Does that seem normal. Although some movement can be expected between 6% and 9%, wood flooring can shrink or swell more dramatically outside this range. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. If you need further clarification http://www.nwfa.org is an excellent source. 20% 28% Readings in this range indicate that conditions are border-line for decay. Wood in buildings usually has a wood moisture content of 5% to 15%. I-joists are strong, lightweight, "I" shaped engineered wood structural members that meet demanding performance standards. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home.

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