I was thinking 10% MC would be ok but after reading your article Im not sure. I may have missed this already but I have a few quick questions. It is not fair to ask the seller of this home to pay some pest control firm to spray Borate on the floor system. Continue reading MC in the home. Wagner Meters has a couple of resources to help you determine the moisture content more suited to your outdoor environment. Chris. we are presently constructing a new timber frame residence on ocean front in BC, Canada. The excess moisture source should be corrected immediately, and monitored until the WMC returns to the 12-16 range. -ThA?> =v\0r5#v ,J\Byt)%*?I!PT`FdCE N a^1IMm[?x>7RFH +=\ Fungus loves wet wood. i used my dremel with a shaping bit about 1/8 in to cut vertical slits or vents about an inch deep and a couple of inches tall into the bottom 24 and have kept a commercial floor blower on the wood several hours a day for more than a week yet, the number is not going down. There will most likely be some shrinkage, so if possible, choose the clearest boards possible to lessen the possibility of any major cracking. This must be done before attempting to dry out the wood. The average RH of the environment where the wood will be used. My last Wagner was appropriated by the individual who appropriated other tools out of my old sho. Well, tile, bricks, and stones are known to have a low water-holding capacity and therefore should be dry. When the wood neither gains nor loses moisture, we say that the wood has reached its equilibrium moisture content (EMC). Structural flooring for laying direct to joists or battens is a minimum of 19mm thick. 7. 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 also applied Boracare (boron) that has stopped minor beetle damage. If the conditions are too wet, dehumidify, and if they are too dry, humidify. You can check for moisture by using a moisture meter. Poor Drainage: A Foundation Problem Waiting to Happen, A Trade Secret: Bucks Vinyl Siding Test, Foundation Repair Salesman: Licensed to Kill, Dear God, Martha, Our House is Breaking in Two!. Pinless meters are non-penetrating and read the moisture content via a non-damaging electromagnetic sensor that scans the wood. The thinner veneers wont have much bearing on the reading. board, and a 12-in. Was told thats not done. I recommend one of our Orion models: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. Acclimation is the process for conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment where it will be installed. So, i had one installed a few weeks after we met. I hope that helps. Truss Uplift: Who Would Have Ever Thunk It? Make sure theyre aligned with the grain and not across it. The boards have dried nicely so far with minimal warpage or checking. summary Acceptable wood moisture readings on a meter normally range from 6% to 8% for woodworking. Whether youre a woodworker making cabinets, a wood flooring professional installing hardwood floors, or if you use wood in construction, wood moisture content (MC) should be always on your mind. Good luck. I am having a section of our 3.25 Maple hardwood floor replaced. I would think it would vary depending on the contents. Most are reading are between 13-15%. 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. Many thanks for your advice, really appreciate it! Over a year ago, I re-shim all the piers with metal shims. They are putting desiccants in the container to absorb the moisture but we feel its going to be a long time enclosed in the container without any air circulation. 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. Use a level to determine if the floor is level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Using wood with a moisture content above 14% isnt recommended because it may have detrimental long-term effects on the construction. Hi, in MN where extreme temperatures are very hard on homes. What should be the approximate Highest MC to prevent wood problems to include finishes? I checked it with my new moisture meter and had a reading of between 8-13.5%. Download a free version of NZS 3602:2003. I would like to load eucalyptus and pine wood logs to India . Learn how your comment data is processed. As far as the oil finish, the manufacturer of the oil will specify the correct moisture content for an application. 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. Finally the question I have is I-used your Wood H2O app and the humidity here (outside) is 55% and the temperature is near 70 (inside)am I correct that 10% is what Is the acceptable moisture of the wood should be for furniture building? Good luck. . Can I a cut them first, then glue them once they are dryer? This author has found decay fungi in floor joists at moisture levels of 20% to 25%. Any suggestions to this being possible to correct? This is for furniture-grade hardwoods. Will your meters work to find MC levels for composites? Do you have a suggestion? So, to sum up, Moisture in crawlspaces is bad. Here's a good rule of thumb: Notches should be no deeper than 1/6 the depth of the joist. Not using the correct procedure. To make sure the wood is properly dried, he always uses a moisture meter before working with it. We dont know if we still have leaks? The home inspector failed to report all the sewage stains on the plastic and organic growth on some of the joists have which had been exposed to moisture the whole time even though the dehumidifier has been mitigating the plumbing leaks. Your ideal MC will also depend on the outdoor humidity levels. If so, then you'll want to know. For more information, see our article comparing Pinless Moisture Meters vs. Pin Meters. We will be having a deck built off my woodshop. Im still not sure that whatever they do will produce a good, long-term result, but I need to know what they should be doing to the wood. Best of luck with your project. This water may come from condensation, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, or contact with the soil. Avoid unnecessary moisture exposure of all wood components by enclosing the frame against adverse weather as soon as feasible. The moisture content of wooden substructure members is routinely being disclosed in the closing process of real estate transactions. However, many building materials may have been dried down to about 15% moisture content. Thats why I think the wood is either not dried to 14%, or it has picked up too much humidity after drying. As a result, the normal moisture meter reading for these materials in between 0.5% and 1%. i am baffled. I found your website at just the right time. thanks so much in advance. 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. He asked if I could double-check the findings of another home inspection company that requested expert advice on some mold/fungus they found in the crawl space of the home. How Timber Reacts To Moisture. This is all very helpful information, thanks! 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 . Larry: I recently had my annual termite inspection. 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. Since the cold weather has come on, the organic growth has gone dormant, but a contractor noticed joists with distinctive moisture content where there are definitive separations between dry and wet looking wood. Subsequently the woodgrain has reflected in the previously mirror-finish, only on the new panels and we suspect moisture content issues in the wood before it was varnished. You will also see that the healthy wood moisture levels of 10% - 16% occur when the relative humidity is between 55% and 80% at 70 degrees. The general process for using pin-type moisture meters is as follows. The floors have started cupping across the entire area with more in some parts. Wall Corners-Perpendicular within 1/4" in 10'. Remember that the meter assumes it is reading timber. You can determine the correct percent moisture content by using our free app called WoodH2O. Wood Rot in Crawl Spaces: Whats That Smell in My House. Live in Tn. The other question is what should the moisture content be on treated lumber that will be for the framing of the deck? 2. The other was for a $100 retail gift card. Pinless moisture meters are even easier to use. The subfloor registered from 12% to 17% . Keep indoor humidity low. I have a couple questions. Have I been wrong? I cant speak for other pinless meters but our Wagner meters are not sensitive to the temperatures you indicated. Request Answer. I-joists are strong, lightweight, "I" shaped engineered wood structural members that meet demanding performance standards. I am planning an under-house excursion tomorrow. I really need to know as I am getting so many different opinions Thanks. About how long do you think we should allow the new wood to acclimate in the end use environment before installing it? First of all, it's normal for a below-grade concrete block wall in contact with the soil to have a high moisture content. For most areas of the United States, acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber can be in the range of 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. board will move twice as much as a 4-in. Any advice would be appreciated. The moisture content of freshly cut wood is typically somewhere between 40-200%. The flooring pieces should be removed from the packaging to allow the ambient conditions to equalize the wood. This will drastically speed up the drying process. I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. Thank you. During the summer months in the northeast region, wood subfloors and floor joists often measure 19. Oh no! Were so sorry for the inconvenience. Hello and thanks for writing in. 3.Vacuum and/or Wipe Excess Moisture. Congratulations on your new furniture. We built our home from ground up and have a sealed crawl space dehumidifiers, etc In January of 2019, we had our builder and hardwood floor contractor come out because our hardwoods were starting to separate a lot. This weight difference is then used to calculate the woods original moisture content. I used my Wagner meter and it Measured in the 10% area. I have seen home built in the dead of winter, covered in snow, and still dry out enough for a successful home build. I know the rule of thumb is 1 year of dry time per inch of thickness of wood. Why Do So Many Homes Have Cracks in Their Brick Veneer? You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. (EMC) than other pieces of wood, depending on its location. Signs Of Moisture In Basement. wood using pins while the MDF uses pinless? Obviously, the ambient conditions within which the wood or paper is present can alter the MC% of the wood or paper. endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream Its still there and causing stains and scaring inexperienced home inspectors who frighten buyers, but its dormant. The purpose of the vapor barrier is to keep moisture away from materials that expand and contract. Call 256-318-0982 or, Engineering Inspection Mortgage Companies, Unnecessary Panic! If the wood is covered by a material like MDF or other, do we take 2x the measurements? Different wood? We havent gone any further since the condition was found so close to us purchasing the home. Below 12% Readings in this range are common to kiln or oven dried woods and furniture grades of wood, and represent dry conditions. We just bought a home where we discovered the plumbing was leaking over a number years with a kitchen flood occurring in the last 3-5 years due to a busted water line. There are areas where organic growth was very active to cause deep, black discolorization. Simply put, the post offers some useful information. My house was built in 1927. The ideal moisture content will depend on the humidity indoors. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. i did not waterproof the outside of the curb (kerdi), so the wood got wet. Including some high-end species like Rosewood, ebony, Mahogany, White Cedar, Bija Sal, Walnut, Gmelina, etc. Condensation present on the . Wood moisture content is always varying. While oven-dry testing, if followed correctly, offers accurate results, there are a few drawbacks: These three drawbacks mean that oven-dry testing usually isnt the option of choice for hobbyists who work with wood. "Mold requires moisture to survive, so protecting lumber and wood structures from moisture will prevent mold growth. The electrical current will then move from pin to pin and measure the resistance encountered. If he is using a high-quality product from companies such as Delmhorst, they provide a slide hammer pin attachment, and they need to use insulated-shaft pins. It's a direct proportion: an 8-in. I cant speak for the home inspector who has raised concerns, or what his experience level is, but I can assure you that the floor joists beneath this home are no different than 90% of the floor joists I have inspected over the past three decades. If this is confusing, dont worry. Here is a good source for mold and wood: https://www.google.com/search?source=hp&ei=j6WRW76_NdmT0PEPkN29kAc&q=wood+moisture+content+and+mold&oq=moisture+content+and+mold&gs_l=psy-ab.1.0.0i22i30l3.8963.15970..206760.0..0.100.1475.25j10.1..gws-wiz..0..0j0i131.PkfEQYRef9I. Limit the length of notches to 1/3 of the joist's depth. As with plywood subfloors, if there is movement or squeaks, refasten the subfloor to the joists and set protruding fasteners into the subfloor. Floor joists support most of your home's weight and play a crucial role in structural integrity. It is best to replace the particle board subfloor. Is your electrical outlet that is 3 inches above the floor inside the house? Larry Loffer is a senior technician at Wagner Meters, where he has over 30 years of experience in wood moisture measurement. I dont know what type of floor you have, but if it gets wet enough, about 25% moisture content or higher, mold can grow. Should I remove more foam to be sure. Moisture contents in wood floor joists in houses with moisture problems are exceeding the 20% maximum level for air dried lumber. Good moisture content for softwoods is 10% to 14% moisture. Leicester, NC 28748 The chart below will clear things up. The amount of swelling or shrinkage depends on how much the . Condensation on the inside of a windowpane. Thanks Phil. Timber logs & Lumber into India company remained actively involved in harvesting and sale of Hardwood logs of Indian origin. board. Is this accurate? If I dry too much, theres discoloration and breakage of product during polishing. Being that we live in Central Florida, 40 miles North of Tampa and using this chart page 5 ( https://research.cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/wpe/files/2016/08/Equilibrium-Moisture-Content-of-Exterior-Wood-in-the-US.pdf) were it states EMC for wood exposed outside for our area of 12.5 to 14.0 when I put the moisture meter to the wood it should be in those ranges if going to be used outside? Squeaks from subfloors The floor installer is often the 'first cab off the rank' when there is a squeaking floor and the problem may The wood looks awful, and the staining the did is even worse. I get some water seepage through an exterior wall at basement floor level as a result of heavy rain. Free Webinar The What, Why, and How of Wood Moisture Testing. We also have an Orion 950 moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. Actually floors account for 15% of building heat loss depending on construction. Building Performance Series No. This article is really helpful. The joist span tables start with 26 lumber and it goes all the way up to 212. If the moisture is less than 20% and the floor joists are structurally sound, like the joists at this home, there is no need to worry about any fungal staining that might exist. Though on occasion, they are made of 2x10s and tripled for additional . Post and beam constructions don't have to be kiln-dried but should be air-dried. The same study showed a 40% loss in joint strength and concluded that a 20% MC may significantly compromise shear resistance of exterior walls. Were looking to replace the floor in an old (unheated) hay barn with treated tongue & Groove 26 flooring and need to know if the advertised 19% MC will be ok and not shrink too much. However, this time I was planning to use oil based poly rather than the spar urethane to reduce the amount of yellowing. Any thoughts as to what the issue was with the first install so we dont have the same issue again next year after we go through a new install? Example: 1.2mm Hickory wear layer 9mm thick plywood compose of 7 layers, 2 layers acacia, 4 layers of Eucalyptus\2 layers Acacia and one layer Poplar. Thanks for the question. Thank you for sharing such valuable information. Characteristic of this wood easy to absorb of water and have large open pore. There is over three foot of block above grade around the entire house. Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. You can hardly see the humps except the first pier that popped up . One of our new line of moisture meters will help locate areas of high moisture, if it still exists. The problem is some of the water made its way under the basmenet bathroom floor which is dricor with electric heating wire on top, then tiles, and unfortunately it looks like some of the dricor wood got wet as well! Different joinery (currently using pocket holes)? The cause that may produce this will be discussed in the section "Biodeteration of flood".
How Did Derek Prince Die,
Waynesville, Mo Arrests,
Ashland Independent Newspaper,
Ics Trust Company Distribution,
Articles A