Three years ago, the floor sank in a heavy traffic area and an engineer told me Masonite was used to shim and had compressed. You are correct, furniture grade hardwood is typically dried between 6 to 9%. My question is regarding finishing. When wood is subjected to an environment that is higher in humidity, it will swell or expand. I am not familiar with the particular moisture meter the plumber was using, but assuming it is correct, that moisture content is way too high to install new flooring. The EMC in the recommended temperature/humidity range coincides with the 6% to 9% range used by most flooring manufacturers during the manufacturing and shipping process. I live in michigan (humid summer, long cold winter). Wood is used to clean model railroad tracks. When it comes to the moisture content of plywood or dimensional lumber, an MC of 17% to 19% reduces the overall strength of plywood, and an MC of 20% or more reduces the strength of dimensional lumber (i.e., lumber cut to certain predefined sizes, such as 2x4s). I had engineered hard wood installed and it is curling at the joints. They are in an unheated and currently very cold barn The moisture ranges from 11% -16% according to my meter. Had fans and dehumidifer running for 17 days starting 2 days after leak. BD-2100 Pin Meter. Do you have a suggestion? The National Wood Flooring Association (NWFA) has a chart that indicates the moisture content of wood at any given combination of temperature and humidity. There are joists that display splitting. This should be stuck into your wooden subfloor. It constantly absorbs and releases vapour into the . My first question is how to determine the MC of eng wood flooring which composite of different species layer, face and different species to form plywood core. 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. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? As lumber dries, it may split, cup and warp. Standard moisture contents for hardwoods are 6% 9% MC. In fact, according to M. Steven Doggett, Ph.D. LEED AP, the founder of Built Environments, Inc., wood moisture content as high as 15% can cause corrosion of metal fasteners and at 16% may lead to fungal growth. I so appreciate your treatise on this issue. This week, I notice the next pier on the same beam is starting to push up, warping the floor. The typical moisture content for hardwoods that will be indoors is 6-9 percent. If the leaks have damaged the sub floor or joists, call a licensed general contractor for repair. Summers are hot and dry while winters can be cool. If you want, just give me a call at 800-634-9961, ext 225. So chart would indicate around 9%. A good moisture content is between 6 9% for Colorado. Moisture content (MC) in raw slabs can take additional time to reach its Equilibrium Moisture Content. The wood sample being tested is dried in a special oven or kiln and its weight periodically checked. Moisture levels in your crawl space that go beyond 70% lead to mold growth and health concerns. The door is NE facing and protected from direct Sun light and rain by a porch roof. For most areas of the United States, acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber can be in the range of 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. I dialed the 800 number for Wagner meters and all I got was two sales pitches for a Life alert type device. I have 1 1/2 thick cherry boards that I had milled from a tree in my yard last fall. Cut in the spring and stacked and dried them over the summer. A high reading in one area indicates a problem that must be corrected. Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it picks up or loses moisture based on the ambient conditions. In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring. Here is a link to a calculator and table: http://www.csgnetwork.com/emctablecalc.html. Any moisture content measured higher than that might result in movement, such as warping and twisting, once it dries. Will your meters work to find MC levels for composites? Yes, the wood can still be read for MC with a stain on it. That is way beyond fibre-saturation. Back to top. Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. The SG setting is on the card that comes with the meter. Make sure theyre aligned with the grain and not across it. Free Webinar The What, Why, and How of Wood Moisture Testing. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. I live on the fl coast so what should the moisture level be? Thanks for the reply. As with plywood subfloors, if there is movement or squeaks, refasten the subfloor to the joists and set protruding fasteners into the subfloor. It is best to allow the wood to equilibrate to the room environment. If a board reads 100% (Difficult to measure accurately) then the weight of the water equals the weight of that wood. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. Wood Moisture Content is the weight of water in a piece of wood expressed as a percentage of oven dry weight of wood. For example, a 26 Southern Pine joist can span 12'. Good moisture content for hardwoods is 6% to 9% moisture. Lower differential means slower heat loss. 15% is too high, at least for hardwoods. If there are quite small amounts of moisture in a wall of dense plaster or brick, then a meter will probably indicate over 20% or so and this will be in the 'red zone' or beeps and squeeks may happen. In all cases, determining the acceptable moisture level of wood requires the use of an extremely accurate moisture meter. Truss Uplift: Who Would Have Ever Thunk It? Substrates must be protected by: 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. One of our new line of moisture meters will help locate areas of high moisture, if it still exists. Please dont pay for a Borate spray unless the buyer wants to pay for it. Wagner Meters has a couple of resources to help you determine the moisture content more suited to your outdoor environment. Characteristic of this wood easy to absorb of water and have large open pore. For severely rotten joists though, you're going to want to remove the rotten section. Best of luck with your project. 11 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 15 /H [ 1017 209 ] /L 26721 /E 14333 /N 2 /T 26383 >> endobj xref 11 18 0000000016 00000 n 0000000724 00000 n 0000000820 00000 n 0000000963 00000 n 0000001226 00000 n 0000001393 00000 n 0000001566 00000 n 0000001771 00000 n 0000002827 00000 n 0000002934 00000 n 0000004271 00000 n 0000005322 00000 n 0000005517 00000 n 0000007871 00000 n 0000007949 00000 n 0000009756 00000 n 0000001017 00000 n 0000001206 00000 n trailer << /Size 29 /Info 10 0 R /Encrypt 13 0 R /Root 12 0 R /Prev 26373 /ID[<2277e06d91c56aa37caf41071ab29f47><2277e06d91c56aa37caf41071ab29f47>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 12 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 9 0 R /PageMode /UseThumbs /OpenAction 14 0 R >> endobj 13 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /V 1 /R 2 /O (D+K\r,s\n?$+%{Nhjp-!) Will the reading be accurate? Since Im drying them outside, being in AK I would like to work with them if possible before the long moist winter. Prior to the flooring installation, make sure your subfloor has not experienced leaks or other water damage. Your subfloor moisture level should be no greater than seven to nine percent when you are installing flooring. Whether youre a woodworker making cabinets, a wood flooring professional installing hardwood floors, or if you use wood in construction, wood moisture content (MC) should be always on your mind. Wood is hygroscopic. Would it still be 9% for pressure treated wood? During the increased average temperatures of spring and summer, timber moisture content reduces to more acceptable levels. We have had on/off rain and humidity 80-90% range. As with any wood product, the environment where the finished product will Live will determine the correct moisture content. 16% - 20%- Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. Fungus loves wet wood. summary Wood must always be allowed to acclimate or come into balance with the RH of the end-use location. We will be building fir windows. %PDF-1.5 % Very simple and understandable. the curb is built with 3 2/4s stacked on each other. i cored out a small section of the bottom beam (3 inches wide) all the way down to the foundation. Simple and regular maintenance can prevent serious problems developing. Keep indoor humidity low. 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. we had a problem with our shower curb. (Itd effectively seal the cavity under the vanity, so once the trim is back on, i dont think itll dry out much more.) This means your crawl space humidity goes up by about 22 degrees. Im on a grade-level concrete slab, and the water made its way over (under the tiles) to my sink vanity. The best way to do this is to use an accurate moisture meter. The ideal moisture content for hardwoods is between 6% and about 9%, depending on the ambient conditions around the wood. Production, storage, delivery and construction and in-use conditions that will prevent exposure to external or internal moisture or conditions that would allow the moisture content to exceed 18% at any time: Untreated Douglas fir: Framing in a low-risk building and meeting the requirements of B2/AS1 paragraph 3.2.2.2: Where there is a risk of . I live in Charlotte, NC. So we are seeking redress, but there are jacks present underneath the home which the home inspector didnt report either and didnt know if this was extra support for the water heater or what. The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. can be insulated and heated (insulation is mandatory if heated) require careful planning and . Based on common guidelines or recommendations, the acceptable moisture levels for wood are as follows: Wood objects used indoors: 6-8% Wood flooring: 6-9% Construction: 9-14% Keep in mind that a wood's acceptable moisture level will depend primarily on how it will be finally used and the average RH where it will be finally used. Substructures with WMC in this range may show decay or rot in floor joist, sills, and subflooring. Should it be less? Thank you for the information, I use a lot of trimmed for for children toys, menu times I use rings of 1-3 inch in diameter, For these purposes I dont care for wood shrinkage or wraping, Two things are important for me that wood will not crack, and that mold wont develop. Does coating wood with oil stabilize the moisture content in wood? Under the floor. The substructure may show decayed areas, ranging from small to very large, of rotten floor joist, sills, and . Failure to allow the wood to acclimate or come into balance with the RH at its end-use location could result in any number of moisture-related problems after the wood product is constructed. The table had a 1 3/4 X 3 1/2 thick boarder with mitred corners and biscuited. RH where they were built is about 29-30%. Before installing carpet, you will need to dry the subfloor first. There will be statistical outliers on both the low and the high end and youll want to catch these by using a quality moisture meter. the concrete was completely dry, no standing water. Thanks!!! Here is a link to our moisture meters, thermo-hygrometer, and Smart Logger. The floor installer put the floors down without allowing the boards to acclimate. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. Use a level to determine if the floor is level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. hj0Ed=h].J-)_q},jR3$\ eH"wCk)E)J8 Thanks for the question. But when you touch the pins to the embedded screws, you get between 14 and 24 % in various areas of the board. 25-30 - Actual, and often extensive, damage is evident when readings reach this level. Any advice would be appreciated. There is only so much moisture a piece of wood can give up, over time, before a failure occurs. For example, from 25% to 45% or from 45% to 65%. A wood moisture content of 47% is too high. It depends on the size of the project, but anytime you put a waterborne urethane on the wood you are adding moisture to your project. What is the acceptable moisture level for plywood? Many thanks for your advice, really appreciate it! Second, would the same pine slab, would it be okay to use for a side table or Kitchen island. It is not uncommon for wood to expand or contract as much as a 1/8 per foot of width, so maintaining a stable environment is important. Surface molds may develop. Over a year ago, I re-shim all the piers with metal shims. 12.5% is gettin there but not quite to the 6-9% mentioned in the article. hL Thats a big difference. . A 10% moisture content reading means that 10% of a wood samples weight is due to water in the wood. In the most serious cases, entire joists may need to be removed, but many times they can be "sistered," or attached to another supporting joist for additional strength. Moisture content of 11.5% for the oak is a little high for furniture grade hardwoods. Because wood shrinks and warps as it dries, woodworkers want it to be pre-shrunk before they use it. 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. Pin-type meters use penetrating electrodes and measure the woods moisture content using electrical resistance. The manufacturer of the oil-based poly should have a specification on the maximum allowable moisture content of the wood. Below a 17% MC of wood, virtually no microbial growth will occur on even the most susceptible materials. What would be the recommended MC for doors of my new building(under construction)? A mold or mildew odor or appearance on surfaces. This is all very helpful information, thanks! . Post and beam constructions don't have to be kiln-dried but should be air-dried. Do you have any recommendations on how to prevent mold from getting on the wood? For example, if the expected EMC ranges from a low of 6% to a high of 9%, the baseline moisture content of the wood would be 7.5%. This would depend on the expectations of the person receiving the product in India, how large of diameter the logs are, and some average estimate of what the conditions would be inside the container during the 55 days. We found the problem and the leak was resolve quickly! Hug the ones you love when you see them! We dont know if we still have leaks? 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. Here current humidity is 76%. My meter tells me anything above 12% is wet but I cannot find any source of leaking or signs of water. The boards have dried nicely so far with minimal warpage or checking. 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. The water eventually came out a electric outlet located three inches off the floor. I have removed the 1 3/4 edge and resawn to take out the splinter (1/4) re bicuited . 10? I took readings of the moisture of the sub floor at the edges of the wall and it ranged from 5 to 16, problem is i cant take it in the middle of the floor unless i rip the floor out. If the middle is wet, you may experience cracking/splitting if dried too fast. One of his own service guys said foundation caps needed to be replaced. water leaked over the edge. "R. There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. i also drilled into the wood every few inches, several inches deep with a typical drill bit. Hi Larry, thanks for the great knowledge sharing. The three main sources of moisture: Condensation, Foundation wall transfer, and leaks. Its mc is 11- 12% . Oiling the surface does not control the moisture in the wood. Perhaps there is something different about the East and West walls. Using wood with a moisture content above 14% isnt recommended because it may have detrimental long-term effects on the construction. I have one question with regards to pinless moisture meters and wallboard/Sheetrock. The cedar I have is now at 12-16%. All houses now use perimeter foundation so outside contact temperature stays at about 55 F all year. Cut out a portion (approx 1/2" I think) from the top of the floor joists. Question: Just to make sure that you get accurate moisture measurements, has your moisture meter been checked for calibration? Some wood you buy from a lumber store can be higher than 14% but typically range between 12-14%. Here is a good source for mold and wood: https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=j6WRW76_NdmT0PEPkN29kAc&q=wood+moisture+content+and+mold&oq=moisture+content+and+mold&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i22i30l3.8963.15970..206760.0..0.100.1475.25j10.1..gws-wiz..0..0j0i131.PkfEQYRef9I. You should be ok as long as the moisture content does not get worse (higher). He added that plastic sheet ground covering that his company laid over my crawl space had been moved in spots and that I no longer had full coverage. I would also consider the environment where the table will live. within two percentage points of the EMC where the wood is going to be used. The average annual relative humidity will play the biggest role in determining what the optimal MC should be. Floors should be: level within a 3mm deviation per 1m for floors up to 6m across (measured at the furthest points across the full width of the floor) a maximum of 20mm out of level for floors over 6m across flat within a 5mm deviation, measured using a 2m straight edge with equal offsets. You will however, need to become familiar with reading your local floor joist span tables for floor beams, floor joists, window and door lintels, ceiling joists, roof joists, roof rafters, and roof ridge beams, as well as the sizing and spacing of wood studs tables. It will continue to absorb and release moisture until it comes into balance with the surrounding air. 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. Thanks Mark, The EMC outside and the wood should be the same. 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. Many timber-framed floor problems can be traced to moisture levels, excessive loads or borer. The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. Top 5 Causes of Cracks in Brick Veneer Homes. Condensation present on the . Stopping the moisture is much cheaper and easier than repairing the structure. Additional care is necessary if laying parallel to the joists and sheet subfloors can sag between the joist. I cant speak for the home inspector who has raised concerns, or what his experience level is, but I can assure you that the floor joists beneath this home are no different than 90% of the floor joists I have inspected over the past three decades. Simply put, the post offers some useful information. The company they hired measured 47% in the wood and declares that this must be ripped out and replaced. With a concrete subfloor you should use a digital hygrometer, which needs to be left in place for at least 24 hours. Normal moisture content of wood ranges from 7% to 19%. ft., based on a standard AStM F-1869 (Calcium Chloride) test, or 80% rh, based on AStM F-2170. I live in Atascadero CA and had a coastal red oak tree cut down this past summer. Floors-1/2" in 12' or 3/16" in 4'. What is a Proper Structural Engineering Inspection? Were so sorry for the inconvenience. The moisture content of wooden substructure members is routinely being disclosed in the closing process of real estate transactions. If the wood would really arrive with a MC of 14%, we would not have any problems. 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). WME? Ive been following your in depth blog on moisture meters for around 1 year now. Was told thats not done. In March of this year I had new white oak 2 flooring installed. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. They are returning to remove one plank and take it back to see what they can do to meet my satisfaction. I suspect the screws may be skewing the measurements. The Las Vegas EMC of wood or lumber ranges from 4.0% to 8.5%. It is a 2-3 feet wide wet area that drains to a line connected to the city system. Phil, what are you making with the cedar, and in what type of environment will it be? This is a perfectly normal moisture content and one that will not support fungal growth. 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. 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. This type of floor-leveling is DIY-friendly and costs approximately $1.50 per square foot when applied 1/8-inch thick. endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream Wall Construction Flat-or no more than 3/8" in 8' (bulge) But none of the contractors abide by the framing codes, nor do the city officials. This is expensive and its ridiculous. Eventually, this internal moisture will evaporate by itself. The lumber was recently milled, although the tree had been cut months, years ago. Its not growing or feeding on the wood. 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. I will get further testing from those not involved. Thanks! You will also see that the healthy wood moisture levels of 10% - 16% occur when the relative humidity is between 55% and 80% at 70 degrees. If this is confusing, dont worry. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. Thanks. (EMC) than other pieces of wood, depending on its location. So, i had one installed a few weeks after we met. One type of wood moisture meter. Since wood is hygroscopic, it loses or gains moisture depending on the relative humidity of the surrounding air. I had a redwood deck, and they replaced it with Douglas fir (without my approval, but thats another issue). We built our home from ground up and have a sealed crawl space dehumidifiers, etc In January of 2019, we had our builder and hardwood floor contractor come out because our hardwoods were starting to separate a lot. Please commenr? Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. If you know such International or Amercan or any other standard please let me know. Hope this helps. Subfloor material such as plywood or OSB should measure between 10 and 14% moisture content. The wood and varnish appear otherwise pristine, uncracked and not bubbled or clouded in any way. This only occurs when wood changes moisture content below the fibre saturation point. Good luck. Can carpet be reinstalled? Treatment levels for timber and timber-based materials used under tiles in wet areas where the waterproofing membrane cannot easily be inspected or maintained should be: H1.2 for timber floor joists and wall framing around showers; H3 (CCA treated) for plywood. Live in Tn. 0 WM=8DBaHh10tIKR/OH}X5Kpt'_]4Mfg9@w8~ n$R Squeaks from subfloors The floor installer is often the 'first cab off the rank' when there is a squeaking floor and the problem may Not only did the aggressive notching doom this joist, it affected the structural integrity of the floor system above. 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. The floors have started cupping across the entire area with more in some parts. I had a pin meter but found I had to put the pins in the ends or try to find an area that wouldnt be seen, so Im thinking a pinless might be better. Any suggestions .thanks. I recently received a call from a Realtor who is selling a home. The joist span tables start with 26 lumber and it goes all the way up to 212. Keep monitoring it. We appreciate you writing in, best of luck! Cracks in Concrete Slabs: Should I Be Concerned? I would like to rip two slabs and glue them together to make a nice large dining room table. The moisture content of freshly cut wood is typically somewhere between 40-200%. Wood freshly cut or kiln-dried is always interacting with environmental moisture. Hello, I am renovating my kitchen and installing hardwood floors. 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. Although some movement can be expected between 6% and 9%, wood flooring can shrink or swell more dramatically outside this range.

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