Cupping is one of several issues that can affect hardwood flooring. When cupping occurs, it not only gives the home an unattractive appearance but can also be a safety concern. It is imperative that you address cupping soon after spotting the problem.  

Why Does Cupping Occur?

Cupping occurs as a result of moisture content in the air around the wood. No matter how well the wood is treated and sealed, moisture still follows a process similar to osmosis that results in cupping. When the air is humid, like it so often is here in southern Alabama, it absorbs more moisture from the air and swells. If the air is dry, and it occasionally can be, it causes the wood to shrink. The result is boards that curve around the edges in a wave-like pattern. Cupping can occur to any type of hardwood flooring but is more common when there are moisture-related issues present.  

Common Culprits of Hardwood Floor Cupping

Sudden changes in the amount of moisture in the air may result in hardwood floor cupping. Your wood floor always reacts to the humidity in the air, expanding during one season and contrasting in the other. Other culprits behind hardwood floor cupping include:

• Leaks and spills: Minimize spills on the floor since they may cause wood cupping to occur in the area around the spill. If a drink or liquid is spilled, clean it up as soon as possible.
• Improper installation: If your hardwood flooring is installed before the subfloor properly dries or other problems occur during installation, expect to see cupping at some point.
• Subfloor moisture: Excess moisture in the crawl space or basement underneath the wood floor can cause cupping. The problem is especially common in new constructions.
• Improper cleaning: Hardwood flooring requires extra TLC when compared to other materials. If it does not receive that extra care, issues like cupping may result.

  Southern Crawl Space offers moisture control services, including basement and crawlspace waterproofing, drainage system installation, and vapor barrier installation. SCS guarantees to fix your moisture issues permanently. Our trained team of technicians utilizes only the best solutions for your basement or crawlspace. We are proud to offer LumberKote™ and MaxxBarrier™ waterproofing sealers by WatsonSeal. We are Alabama’s ONLY Watson Seal Authorized Dealer. If you have a service request, give us a call. We will happily provide a free inspection and service estimate.