Structural flooring for laying direct to joists or battens is a minimum of 19mm thick. Alternatively, you could set up a crawl space dehumidifier and draw the . 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%. 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. Turn on the meter. This building was constructed around 1966 and this little space appears very dry, in spite of a recent leak from an nearby hot water tank. As a general rule, with geographic exceptions, wood flooring performs best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within an RH range of 30% to 50% and a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Hello and thanks for writing in. I recommend one of our Orion models: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. Is it possible to get a 99.9% moisture reading (using a Cassain GM-200 hydrometer) on a particle board floor which looks and feels completely dry? The substructure may show decayed areas, ranging from small to very large, of rotten floor joist, sills, and . I think mine is +-3% Is it possible being near the door just means greater humidity and there isnt actually a leak? I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. Currently reading a 12.5%. So, is it really this wet or is our meter over-reading? They many times cite the need for further evaluations by what they call other so called experts. A moisture content reading of 25% is borderline to support mold. Such readings should alert the homeowner to look for a source of excess moisture. Ideally Ill wait until reaching final drying but sometimes I need to use wood before that point. Check joints and bottom plates as moisture can get trapped here. Do you think its to early to start working with it.If so how many yrs will it take to get to proper mc so i can work with it. The acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber are in the range of 6% to 8% for interior and 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. Hello Brian, I am a moisture meter expert, not a woodworking expert but from your description, the problem points to the conditions, not the wood or joinery. Specifically in the first 3-4 on one side of the door is 11%, then drops to ~8%. Had fans and dehumidifer running for 17 days starting 2 days after leak. 16% - 20%- Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. The ASTM D4442 standard determines the accuracy of wood moisture meters. Thank you. Using wood with a moisture content above 14% isnt recommended because it may have detrimental long-term effects on the construction. About 5/16 penetration into the wood measures 8% using pins only. The typical moisture content for hardwoods that will be indoors is 6-9 percent. In other words, the water weighs more than the wood fibers. Here is a link to our moisture meters, thermo-hygrometer, and Smart Logger. One of our new line of moisture meters will help locate areas of high moisture, if it still exists. Waterproof membrane . We have a free App called WoodH2O that will tell you the moisture content given certain temperature and humidity conditions. It does the same for wood, and is especially hard on softwoods, such as pine or fir. 2nd question, will lacquer on surface of flooring affect the reading. I-joists are strong, lightweight, "I" shaped engineered wood structural members that meet demanding performance standards. If your subfloor is a wood product, make sure the reading is less than 20% on the moisture meter. Keep indoor humidity low. Why and how can I say this? Sorry that this is so long-winded and I thank you in advance if you are willing to address this question for me. My last Wagner was appropriated by the individual who appropriated other tools out of my old sho. Interior walls non-insulated at around 7-8% mc. provide a good substrate for a wide range of wet area finishes. This should be stuck into your wooden subfloor. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. Water Level Survey: Are You Smarter Than an Egyptian? I would think at least fixing your dehumidifier is a must. The wood joists are not soaked wet, its just a light film of moisture on the wood members. Remember that the meter assumes it is reading timber. Larry: I recently had my annual termite inspection. I would like to rip two slabs and glue them together to make a nice large dining room table. Call 256-318-0982 or, Engineering Inspection Mortgage Companies, Unnecessary Panic! 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. There was a board that cracked along a glue line. Screwed 2x4s parallel into the joists as added support. Doesnt sound like this has been a problem in the past. We have had an abnormally wet spring and part of summer. For joists where the rot infestation has been thoroughly dealt with: it is acceptable to leave the joist as it is. The installer should then check the moisture content of multiple boards and average the results. It is also possible to have moisture content readings over 100%. Back to top. WMC of framing members in a crawl space will usually be lowest in late winter and highest in late summer. 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). I think that I know my own answer, but thought I might reach out for some possible better insight. (Itd effectively seal the cavity under the vanity, so once the trim is back on, i dont think itll dry out much more.) A termite repair company (also licensed contractors) told me that I needed to replace the planks on my second story deck. During the summer months, when outdoor humidity is high, the hot/humid air enters the crawl space through the foundation vents and condenses on cool objects. There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. I have one question with regards to pinless moisture meters and wallboard/Sheetrock. endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream /U (li7":-JOBHO,9UY) /P 65492 >> endobj 14 0 obj << /S /GoTo /D [ 15 0 R /Fit ] >> endobj 27 0 obj << /S 45 /T 91 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 28 0 R >> stream We dont know if we still should be having a commercial drying process? Thats a big difference. at one spot, its 40%. A wood moisture content of 47% is too high. Because the moisture content of wood is equal to the weight of the water in the wood divided by the weight of the wood without the water, its possible for the moisture content to exceed 100%. Were in northern Indiana, humid summers long cold winters. We had boards that were also cracking/splitting and other places where small pinholes were showing up. water leaked over the edge. Good luck. Though on occasion, they are made of 2x10s and tripled for additional . Im down to ~13-19% MC near floor level, based on a cheapo moisture meters readings. What wood do you recommend that does not have a high oil/water content? That is still quite a wide range. The moisture content of freshly cut wood is typically somewhere between 40-200%. Hello Enjoyed the article. Drying equipment removed 3 days ago. Last reviewed: 12 Sep 2021 Last published: 12 Sep 2021. A consistent humidity level of 70 percent will require wood to be about 13 percent moisture content. I had a water leak under my crawl space which has 3 inches of foam insulation applied to the underside of the sub floor. One of his own service guys said foundation caps needed to be replaced. They were installed over existing plywood subfloor. Hi Larry, just finished a black Walnut dining room table back in November. Whats an acceptable moisture level for a brick wall in a house? Above 90% RH or 20% WMC, mold can grow on the wood. How long will it take to get to the ideal moisture reading and is it better to be stored in a garage or inside a house? Wood Moisture Content (WMC) is often used as an indicator of decay problems in houses. moisture will typically measure 7-10%. I have 1 1/2 thick cherry boards that I had milled from a tree in my yard last fall. : Mold & Fungus In the Crawlspace. Generally the entire floor is dry. h_k0 r ?c|@+wpF=M^r? ( BzPxgA9P{j]s 3r\WQu\@U.Jy'h{>dccy. So, when looking at the relative humidity of the space, spaces left above 70% RH for extended periods will also promote mold growth. While playing around with my pinless meter and checking the interior East and west walls on hot days, I notice the moisture content being very high 60% mc to off scale. 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. Great article! 1 4 if not, can you tell me why? Typical moisture content for furniture in a home is 6-9%. 12% 16% Readings in this range are common to lumber during construction, air dried lumber and healthy residential substructures (beneath first floor in crawl spaces). The fir windows and exterior doors will be affected by the the exterior and interior RH. The excess moisture source should be corrected if found. The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . Wood is a hygroscopic material, meaning it picks up or loses moisture based on the ambient conditions. 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 . And it's important to keep in mind that a glued-up panel behaves basically as one wide piece of lumber. Thanks Phil. Will the reading be accurate? I have a question. Thank you. Next, check the moisture of new floorboards. Good luck. What do you recommend the reader to be at before insulation and drywall on new construction? This can lead to rising damp, dry rot, timber decay, fungal growth and borer. The levels were between 20 and 23%. Do you think that heated floor actually help to dry or do they make things worse and more humid! 7. It seems to me the supplier is drying the Teak to 14% because that is what is needed in Indonesia. Do you have a suggestion? During the summer months, when outdoor humidity is high, the hot/humid air enters the crawl space through the foundation vents and condenses on cool objects. could you please guide or on how much should be the Expected Humidity % in high Humid areas like UAE considering these are mostly for Indoor purpose where ACs are on 247 at say 24 Degrees. When you do this, you not only ensure that the entire batch is okay on average, but youre also far likelier to catch boards that are statistical outliers and could cause problems. We are checking moisture levels in several areas each day. Do you see any dangers of using poly with a MC of around 12, or am I risking adhesion failure especially if the wood does end up shrinking dimensionally? However, the company who maintains the dehumidifier said he tested some of the joist which he said only registered 10 on his device. You can use our free APP called WoodH2O to help you decide on the best moisture content. I installed a sump pump and 6 mil vapor barrier, but the barrier is not sealed around piers and the ground is moist under the barrier all year. It gains or loses water moisture as the relative humidity (RH) of the surrounding air changes. Cracks in Concrete Slabs: Should I Be Concerned? Hi Larry, So a friend of mine has some pine and oak blabs at MC levels of (oak 11.5%) and Pine 13-14%. The EMC of wood or lumber exposed to an outdoor atmosphere varies across the U.S. For instance, in the coastal city of Seattle, the EMC of wood or lumber is higher than the EMC of cities inland or in the Southwest. A Brick Veneer Crack Tragedy: A True Story, Spraying for Mold on Floor Joists: Pest Control. The size of the lumber used for floor joists is the single greatest determining factor in terms of how far a joist can span. Yes, the wood can still be read for MC with a stain on it. Sometimes moving the air around is enough to remove moisture and dry surfaces. 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. I had a redwood deck, and they replaced it with Douglas fir (without my approval, but thats another issue). I live in michigan (humid summer, long cold winter). If I dry too much, theres discoloration and breakage of product during polishing. During the increased average temperatures of spring and summer, timber moisture content reduces to more acceptable levels. After you remove the old flooring, you'll need to ensure the subfloor is properly prepared before laying the new vinyl, hardwood or laminate flooring. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. 3.Vacuum and/or Wipe Excess Moisture. Moisture contents of 12 to 17% is ok. You dont want to see any subfloor reach about 25% which is where mold will start to grow. However, the ideal humidity range in some climates may be higher or lower. You should be able to specify a lower moisture content. Wood in buildings usually has a wood moisture content of 5% to 15%. within two percentage points of the EMC where the wood is going to be used. Many thanks for your advice, really appreciate it! Should I remove more foam to be sure. Building Performance Series No. First, test the moisture level of the subfloor. z .XWb*QGF^v4MQ`_dRw{\;\'03Uhx-SeJlc!m\8X^,Z/hU5Ewdzz:`nZ!(7reWD4X. Everyone who works with wood needs to understand how wood interacts with moisture in the environment. The conversion puts the adjusted MC between 9.5 -> 12%. As lumber dries, it may split, cup and warp. 10? I found your website at just the right time. A company sealed off the foundation vents and removed all the insulation from the crawlspace with the humidifier mitigating the moisture from the leaks. Most interior wood is in this range. Currently the RH is 76%, the residence RH will be set at around 35%. Seattles EMC ranges from 12.2% to 16.5%. Timber logs & Lumber into India company remained actively involved in harvesting and sale of Hardwood logs of Indian origin. Studies have shown, however, that mold growth can occur on wood at moisture content levels above 15 to 18 percent, and corrosion of metal fasteners in treated wood can occur when moisture content exceeds 18 to 20 percent. Surface molds may develop. The wood has been kiln dried and packed in corrugate. The normal moisture content of wood (or EMC) varies from 7%-19% depending on the RH in the air. The wood will still react in humid or dry conditions. The boards should be no wider than 6 inches and installed on a 45-degree angle. Prior to the re-shim, the pier in the area that floods in the spring could be felt pushing up the floor, meaning the beam is warping and been monitoring it. There are areas where organic growth was very active to cause deep, black discolorization. Good luck. We appreciate you writing in, best of luck! Other signs of high moisture readings include surface mold, evidence of water flows in the crawl space, evidence of water stains or evaporation from foundation walls and columns, evidence of condensation on ducts and evidence of water drops impacting the soil under ducts. This method uses the oven-dry method and then compares the results to those obtained using a moisture meter. If the wood would really arrive with a MC of 14%, we would not have any problems. Retain this information with your records. 1= z@ Hi, we live in a coastal area, had a recent water leak, and a hard wood floor MC is measuring about 25% the water did not contact this area directly. Longer pins with insulated shafts are designed for the purpose. Which do you recommend? The more specific way to know would be to measure the relative humidity and temperature in your homes air and then plug the numbers into a calculator like this https://www.spikevm.com/calculators/logging/equilibrium.php This will tell you what the MC% should be based on your specific environment. Your reading of 12.5% tells me it is workable. It is not fair to ask the seller of this home to pay some pest control firm to spray Borate on the floor system. Thats why I think the wood is either not dried to 14%, or it has picked up too much humidity after drying. I was thinking 10% MC would be ok but after reading your article Im not sure. The thinner veneers wont have much bearing on the reading. Take the readings in at least 20 spots per 1,000 square feet of flooring and average the results. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. Once wood is dried below about 28% WMC, water is not available to support decay, unless the wood is exposed to liquid water. So please help us to know what should be required moisture level in Acacia board in final product if we need to restrict wood movement at Colorado . I live in Charlotte, NC. Mold starts growing if the moisture contents reaches about 25% moisture content. The wood scale provides accurate, quantitative readings of moisture over the range of 5% to 30% MC in wood. 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. The chart below will clear things up. Grain orientation matters Actually floors account for 15% of building heat loss depending on construction. When I purchase it its soaking wet and Ive always given it a few weeks, stickered and covered for at least 2 weeks, sometimes up to a month, to get it down to around 17-19%. The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. This makes pinless moisture meters perfect for measuring the moisture content of things like expensive hardwood floors. The wood looks awful, and the staining the did is even worse. 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. There will most likely be some shrinkage, so if possible, choose the clearest boards possible to lessen the possibility of any major cracking. Let's repeat that again. The inspector said his meter reading taken from my basement on subflooring/joists/framing was too high. Does that seem normal. Can I get a away with this? Thanks for the the information, very detailed and useful. Now would the pine be okay to use as a top cover piece to an radiator cover? Here is a link to our new line of meters: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. You must be careful with a thick slab once you cut it. 1. in Indonesia there are a lot of raw materials consisting of natural fibers, such as: pandanus, water hyacinth, rattan etc. A consistent humidity level of 40 percent will require wood to be about 8 percent moisture content. The ceiling in the bedroom above the chimney breast shows signs of damp however doesn't feel damp/moist. You mentioned the humidity outside is 55%. Varying humidity levels can cause wood to lose or gain water and shrink or expand. Box 1437 The sink vanity is made from typical laminated particle board, and Ive been trying to dry it in place using a dehumidifier and sealing the area off. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. Since your subfloor may be concrete or wood, you should make sure you choose a meter that is specially designed for the specific element you are testing. The general process for using pin-type moisture meters is as follows. 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. The engineered wood floor appears ok. As the airs RH increases, so does the moisture content of any wood exposed to the air. As long as the moisture content does not exceed those readings you should be ok. Chris. The maximum subfloor moisture level for solid strip flooring or wide-width solid flooring is either 12% or 13%, depending on the manufacturer. A mold or mildew odor or appearance on surfaces. Oiling the surface does not control the moisture in the wood.
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