Solid hardwood · Buckling
Why is my hardwood floor buckling or lifting off the subfloor?
Buckling is when boards lift away from the subfloor. It is the most severe moisture reaction in wood flooring, usually caused by flooding, a major leak or missing expansion space.
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What usually causes it
- Flooding or a large leak
- No expansion space at walls and fixed objects
- Fastener or adhesive failure combined with moisture
What you can check yourself
- Stop any water source right away
- Photograph the area before anything is removed
What an independent inspection checks
- Moisture content of the flooring and the subfloor, mapped across the room
- Room temperature and relative humidity, and how they change by season
- Concrete slab moisture (ASTM F2170 in-situ RH) when the floor is over concrete
- Expansion space at walls, doorways and cabinets
- Fastening schedule or adhesive bond
Who is responsible?
Water events are often an insurance matter; missing expansion space points to installation. The report separates the two.
Get your hardwood floor inspected
Tell us what you're seeing and we'll explain the next step. We cover every county in Southern California and only inspect. We don't sell or install flooring.