Hey Folks,
I searched the forum for this specific problem but had no luck. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am new to the site so please be easy with me, but have been in the hardwood flooring business for the past 25 years as a manufacturer. I recently purchased a newly constructed home (14 months ago) from a reputable builder in the Greensboro NC area. The home has 3/4" x3 1/4" quartered solid sand/finish red oak installed over OSB by a reputable flooring company in the area.
Early this summer I noticed some cupping in the kitchen area. It became so severe that one night while walking on it, the floor sounded almost like a pane of glass shattering. I assume this was from the floor pushing down and the finish cracking. The next day, I had the builder and flooring installer out to find out what in the world was going on. My builder was convinced that the floor had gotten wet from a dishwasher or ice maker but believe me, after going out on more than my share of claims as a manufacturer, I insured that was not the case.
What we determined was the HVAC that was installed in the sealed crawlspace directly under the problem area had a small leak in the condensate fitting just above the drain overflow pan and had proceeded to fill the pan up like a small wading pool directly under the unit and problem area. It seemed as though the moisture evaporating out of the pan had migrated above into the solid flooring. We fixed the drain and dried out the pan. I also turned the dehumidifier that was already installed down to 35% in an attempt to dry out the floor joist, OSB and ultimately the 3/4 solid on top. After 4-5 weeks the cupping receded and I thought my problems were gone. Having had to pay several claims in the past as a manufacturer, I thought the floor looked good enough not to push back on the builder for a screen and recoat and I let it go at that.
4-5 months later I noticed a popping or cracking sound coming from various area of the previously affected area. Strange this was, this was not only noticeable there but in other areas of the floor, even other rooms. I also notice a slight crown to flooring now instead of the pervious cup. I mean it pops bad! I called the flooring installer back out. He seems to think that due to my diligent efforts to dry the crawlspace back out and down to an EMC of around 6-7%, I have inadvertently over dried all the moisture out causing the flooring on top to pop. I have since cut the dehumidifier off along with closing the air balance valve the HVAC contractor installed while repairing the condensate line leak earlier in the year. I even opened the crawlspace door and placed a fan in the opening for a few hours during a high humidity day, just trying to get some moisture back in there.
My questions are does all this seem to be possible? That over drying the crawl space is causing the flooring on top to crown and pop? Also it seems these new sealed/insulated crawl spaces are relativity new to the HVAC and builder. How do I keep my floor happy if this is the case with our constantly having to nurse the crawlspace enviornment?
Thanks,
JCT
I searched the forum for this specific problem but had no luck. Any help will be greatly appreciated. I am new to the site so please be easy with me, but have been in the hardwood flooring business for the past 25 years as a manufacturer. I recently purchased a newly constructed home (14 months ago) from a reputable builder in the Greensboro NC area. The home has 3/4" x3 1/4" quartered solid sand/finish red oak installed over OSB by a reputable flooring company in the area.
Early this summer I noticed some cupping in the kitchen area. It became so severe that one night while walking on it, the floor sounded almost like a pane of glass shattering. I assume this was from the floor pushing down and the finish cracking. The next day, I had the builder and flooring installer out to find out what in the world was going on. My builder was convinced that the floor had gotten wet from a dishwasher or ice maker but believe me, after going out on more than my share of claims as a manufacturer, I insured that was not the case.
What we determined was the HVAC that was installed in the sealed crawlspace directly under the problem area had a small leak in the condensate fitting just above the drain overflow pan and had proceeded to fill the pan up like a small wading pool directly under the unit and problem area. It seemed as though the moisture evaporating out of the pan had migrated above into the solid flooring. We fixed the drain and dried out the pan. I also turned the dehumidifier that was already installed down to 35% in an attempt to dry out the floor joist, OSB and ultimately the 3/4 solid on top. After 4-5 weeks the cupping receded and I thought my problems were gone. Having had to pay several claims in the past as a manufacturer, I thought the floor looked good enough not to push back on the builder for a screen and recoat and I let it go at that.
4-5 months later I noticed a popping or cracking sound coming from various area of the previously affected area. Strange this was, this was not only noticeable there but in other areas of the floor, even other rooms. I also notice a slight crown to flooring now instead of the pervious cup. I mean it pops bad! I called the flooring installer back out. He seems to think that due to my diligent efforts to dry the crawlspace back out and down to an EMC of around 6-7%, I have inadvertently over dried all the moisture out causing the flooring on top to pop. I have since cut the dehumidifier off along with closing the air balance valve the HVAC contractor installed while repairing the condensate line leak earlier in the year. I even opened the crawlspace door and placed a fan in the opening for a few hours during a high humidity day, just trying to get some moisture back in there.
My questions are does all this seem to be possible? That over drying the crawl space is causing the flooring on top to crown and pop? Also it seems these new sealed/insulated crawl spaces are relativity new to the HVAC and builder. How do I keep my floor happy if this is the case with our constantly having to nurse the crawlspace enviornment?
Thanks,
JCT