If you’ve been living in your home for a while, you may have started to notice that your hardwood floors are starting to warp. This is a common problem, but it’s not one that has to be tolerated. Here are a few tips on how to fix hardwood floor warping so that your floors look good as new once again.
Causes
Wood can warp when it gets wet and swells, then dries out and contracts. This doesn’t usually happen to properly finished hardwood flooring because the boards are protected against moisture, particularly if a vapor barrier has been properly installed on the subfloor. If the vapor barrier is inadequate, however, or the finish is excessively worn, the boards can absorb moisture. When the moisture evaporates, the boards may cup or crown. They can warp even if they don’t get wet. Excessively dry conditions, high temperatures and direct sunlight can shrink the wood and create gaps between the boards. Source: HomeGuides.SFGate
Sanding as first step
The first method to fix a warped floor is to sand it. This works best for warps that come from humidity or a water spill rather than from a leak that originated below your flooring. Sand down the bump in your flooring until it is level with the rest of the floor. Keep in mind that this will require an aggressive amount of sanding in most instances. That means that about a quarter of thickness could be given up in this process, which is something to consider.
Solution for minor warping
You can fix a small warp issue quite easily. As long as the wood is still pliable, it can be fixed by moistening the area slightly, then placing a heavy object like a barbell or a cinderblock on top. Leave the weight for several days and let gravity do its job. After those few days have passed, remove it and see if the warped area is fixed. If the warp is still present, treat the issue like a large warp, as detailed below. Source: DoItYourself
Solution for major warping
If your flooring does not return to normal after this method, then you’re dealing with serious warping which will probably require removal and replacement. Luckily, this does not mean you have to replace your entire floor. You can “steal” planks from an inconspicuous place like a closet or under the refrigerator. These stolen planks will be a perfect match to your original flooring, and thus they make the best replacements. You can then compensate for the stolen planks with the closest match you can find. Source: Networx
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