I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards laid
in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the tongue
and grooved edges.

We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate any
advice anyone might have on what's causing this.

Thanks

Steve

In article <kvEhe.53087$a9.42538@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk>,
	"newsonline"  writes:

> I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards laid
> in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
> there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the tongue
> and grooved edges.
> 
> We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate any
> advice anyone might have on what's causing this.


Significantly different humidity above and below the boards;
the underfloor is much more humid than above the floor.
This is probably an indication of insufficient ventilation
below the floor, or an actual source of excessive moisture,
such as a leaking pipe and pooling water. Using a dehumidifier
in the house can also cause such damage by excesssively drying
the air in the house.

-- 
Andrew Gabriel

On Sun, 15 May 2005 09:20:16 GMT, "newsonline"
 babbled like a waterfall and
said:


>I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards laid
>in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
>there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the tongue
>and grooved edges.
>
>We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate any
>advice anyone might have on what's causing this.
>
>Thanks
>
>Steve
>

The boards were tongued and groved on the wrong side for that cut of
the tree. All planks of this type of wood curl but the curl part is
meant to be laid face down so the curl is discouraged by their
position.

Anyone who makes table tops has to be careful to get each plank the
right way up, unless using an expensive wood with little grain.

"newsonline"  wrote in message
news:kvEhe.53087$a9.42538@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards laid
> in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
> there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the tongue
> and grooved edges.
>
> We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate any
> advice anyone might have on what's causing this.
>
> Thanks
>
> Steve
>
>


Curling is due to the moisture levels in the subfloor and air:
How old is the subfloor?  Old subfloors may not have had a DPM (Damp Proof
Membrane) installed - a new floor may not have had time to dry out.
Did the Contractor take a moisture reading before installation?  If so what
was it and was it in accordance with the manufacturers specification?
Did the Contractor lay or paint a DPM before installing the timber?
Were the boards allowed to acclimatise before installation?
Finally are they from a "good" manufacturer?  The old adage of "you only get
what you pay for" is especially true with solid timber.  When a price is
lower than something else, that is claimed to be the same quality, something
has to be missing - thickness - stability - workmanship - can you work out
what before seeing the Contractor?

Steve

"newsonline"  wrote in message 
news:kvEhe.53087$a9.42538@fe3.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards laid
> in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
> there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the tongue
> and grooved edges.
>
> We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate any
> advice anyone might have on what's causing this.
>


IME cheap floorboards always curl, the humidiity above and below is 
irrelevant (unless really excessive)  Pull one board up and have a look at 
the end grain, if it is good stuff then it would have pretty well up and 
down grain, but cheap stuff is cut so that you have grain going across , you 
may even be able to see the growth rings clearly, like  a smiley face. (or a 
frown !)

mrcheerful

"mrcheerful ."  wrote in message
news:6O2ie.32899$G8.10828@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

>
> "newsonline"  wrote

> > I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards
laid
> > in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months and
> > there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the
tongue
> > and grooved edges.
> >
> > We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate
any
> > advice anyone might have on what's causing this.
> >
>
> IME cheap floorboards always curl, the humidiity above and below is
> irrelevant (unless really excessive)  Pull one board up and have a look at
> the end grain, if it is good stuff then it would have pretty well up and
> down grain, but cheap stuff is cut so that you have grain going across ,
you
> may even be able to see the growth rings clearly, like  a smiley face. (or
a
> frown !)


A million thanks to everyone who replied to my post. Met the contractor and
he agreed that the materials weren't up to scratch. Consequently, he's going
to replace the floor - no quibbles - no fuss. Phew !

Regards

Steve

On Tue, 17 May 2005 09:28:51 GMT, "newsonline"
 babbled like a waterfall and
said:


>A million thanks to everyone who replied to my post. Met the contractor and
>he agreed that the materials weren't up to scratch. Consequently, he's going
>to replace the floor - no quibbles - no fuss. Phew !
>
>Regards
>
>Steve


/me raises glass to you.

:))

"newsonline"  wrote in message
news:nPiie.87342$Cq2.7518@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...

> "mrcheerful ."  wrote in message
> news:6O2ie.32899$G8.10828@text.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> >
> > "newsonline"  wrote
>
> > > I'd be grateful for any comments on this. We just had new floorboards
> laid
> > > in a house we're renovating. It's been down just a couple of months
and
> > > there is a noticeable 'curling up' of some of the boards along the
> tongue
> > > and grooved edges.
> > >
> > > We're meeting the contractor on-site soon and would really appreciate
> any
> > > advice anyone might have on what's causing this.
> > >
> >
> > IME cheap floorboards always curl, the humidiity above and below is
> > irrelevant (unless really excessive)  Pull one board up and have a look
at
> > the end grain, if it is good stuff then it would have pretty well up and
> > down grain, but cheap stuff is cut so that you have grain going across ,
> you
> > may even be able to see the growth rings clearly, like  a smiley face.
(or
> a
> > frown !)
>
> A million thanks to everyone who replied to my post. Met the contractor
and
> he agreed that the materials weren't up to scratch. Consequently, he's
going
> to replace the floor - no quibbles - no fuss. Phew !
>
> Regards
>
> Steve
>
>


Was Mr. Contractor pleased that you had gained knowledge?