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Due to environmental factors or human error, solid wood flooring can develop many problems, which can be quite expensive and painful. To avoid these problems, it's necessary to understand what issues can occur with solid wood flooring, what causes them, and what solutions are available.
01. Insect infestation
The presence of clumps of powder on the floor surface indicates that the floor may have been infested with insects, as the wood may have been infested before the floor was made. Several ways can be used to prevent insect infestation: (1) The floor should be dried and steamed in a kiln during the production process to kill the insect eggs in the wood at high temperatures; (2) Carefully select the joists, and do not buy any that have wormholes; (3) Before laying the floor, you can put some insecticide or insect repellent under the floor, but you should pay attention to safety and environmental protection.
02. Gaps
Shortly after solid wood flooring is installed, large gaps may appear between the planks, which is visually unsightly and easily becomes a hiding place for dust and bacteria. Large gaps are generally caused by excessive moisture content or shrinkage due to high indoor temperatures and drying. Therefore, it is important to control the moisture content of the flooring before installation, keeping it between 8% and 13%, and to apply oil promptly after installation.
03. Mold
Due to shrinkage, solid wood flooring often has large gaps at the joints. This can create an often-overlooked space between the floorboards and the underlayment, or between the floor and the joists, becoming a hygiene dead zone and a significant source of pollution in the home. The floorboards will develop mold and unpleasant odors. Mold not only reduces the lifespan of the flooring but also affects human health. Before laying the flooring, camphor wood blocks or bamboo charcoal bags can be placed to absorb moisture from the ground. After installation, if mold appears, it can be wiped with a specialized cleaner, followed by waxing for maintenance. Regular ventilation and maintaining appropriate indoor humidity are also important.