Acclimating one’s wood floor is very necessary and pivotal. It would go a long way in helping the wood cope with the temperature in their environment.
Acclimation is the conditioning of the wood floor, so their natural moisture content is almost at the same level as the environs.
There is no set time for how long hardwood floor takes to acclimate due to various reasons, ranging from location, climate condition, and the moisture content of the subfloor.
That said, how long should hardwood flooring acclimate? It might take 3-5 days or even up to 2 weeks, depending on the type of wood and weather condition.
Some factors can hamper or help hardwood acclimate. Let’s look into the steps.
How Do you Acclimate Hardwood Flooring?
Table of Contents
It is necessary to understand the best way to acclimate hardwood flooring. It would make you understand how long and why it takes long to acclimate hardwood flooring.
1. Read Manufacturer’s Instructions
It is of the essence that you read the manufacturer’s instructions, the condition of the hardwood, and how it is produced, so you know the necessary steps to take.
2. Calculate the Acclimation Requirements
Using a very reliable acclimation chart, you can make nice measures of the humidity and temperature level. So all of it would be at the equilibrium level.
3. Ensure the Heating and Conditioning Unit is Operating
During this period, make sure the heating and air conditioning units in the room are operating well enough. Inspect it at least a few days before it’s delivered, during the installation, and after the job is done.
Do not try conditioning the wood in an exposed area, where the humidity and weather vary greatly.
4. Look out for the Subfloor Moisture Level
Ensure it works at the wood floor’s humidity and temperature level. If the temperature level is too high, it might cause the floor to buckle, cup up or crack. Check this out for a long-lasting effect.
5. The Flooring Should not be Packed
The flooring should not be packed but rather be bunched on each other with little wood stems in the middle. It’s important so the moisture would have access to all wood parts.
6. Contact a Professional
At some stage, you may get confused or filled with doubt. Do well to contact a professional for a proper and more detailed explanation of the steps to acclimate a hardwood floor.
7. Be Observant
There are so many things one should look at when preparing to acclimate hardwood floors. We have to look out for weather conditions, geographical location, the type of wood used.
Do not forget to set your home or place in the correct order; it should be for acclimation to avoid unforeseen problems.
Related: How long does it take to install hardwood floors
What Happens if You Don’t Acclimate Hardwood Floors?
So many issues start arising if you don’t acclimate your hardwood flooring, and it has so many repercussions. Your wood floor needs acclimation to stay afloat with the weather condition and humidity.
Failure to do so might prove a huge error. All problems listed below are moisture-related issues. Let’s look into the consequences.
1. It Starts Buckling
It starts buckling in the sense that the wood pries out of the subfloor and can’t keep up with the weight any longer. This is an extreme measure caused by moisture problems in a wood floor.
2: It begins to crown
This issue starts when the center of the wood floor is way higher and inclined than the edges—caused by not acclimating one’s wood floor.
3. It starts cupping
Your wood props up when the edges are way higher than the center of the board; it is the direct opposite of crowning—one of the problems of not acclimatizing.
4. It Begins to Warp
In this case, it makes the wood floor look out of shape and twisted because the weather is either too hot or too damp. Another problem is posed by moisture and humidity.
Read: How to fix wood floor buckling
How to Maintain Hardwood Floors After Installation
Here are some well-detailed steps on how to maintain hardwood floors:
1. Protect from Spillage
It is very hard for a hardwood floor to get damaged except through the spilling of liquid or wear and tear. Though spillage cannot be controlled, immediately after liquid spills, wipe it off with a rag.
When mopping, use damp rags and not wet rags to avoid damaging the floor.
2. Clean the Wood Floor Carefully
The floor needs constant care and regular cleaning. Immediately you encounter a spill on the floor, clean it off as fast as possible to avoid stains. The longer they stay there untended, they get stuck to the floor.
The floor needs regular mopping and removal of dust and dirt with a damp mop and broom.
3. Polish and Wax the Wood Floor
The hardwood floor requires constant polishing and waxing with specially made hardwood products, not just any random product. Using the wrong one might damage the hardwood floor.
How often you use wax or polish solely determines the number of leg traffic that daily walks through the hardwood floor.
Read: Best wax for wood floor
4. Prevent Scratches
Achieving this might look hard, but certain measures would make it simple and easy. Make use of rugs in certain strategic areas of your house. You can also place a no-shoe policy for your visitors to take off their shoes at the entrance.
5. Professional Hands
At some points, you might need the help of professionals in some dire issues; please don’t hesitate to call on them.
Conclusion
Acclimating hardwood floor comes with its complications, a right application would make the drying process faster. However, It has no specific time required to acclimate hardwood floors due to varying reasons.
