Can we talk about how our area's humidity spike altered my installation philosophy?

I used to skim on subfloor moisture checks, thinking it was just extra hassle for little gain. But after this past summer's unprecedented humidity, I started seeing buckling and gaps in floors I installed just a year ago. One client had me back to fix their engineered hardwood, and the moisture meter readings were off the charts. That experience convinced me to never skip the prep steps, no matter how dry the basement seems. It's now a non-negotiable part of my process.

3 comments

3 Comments

sarahkim1mo ago

Gasped when I read about the moisture meter readings being off the charts! That is absolutely INSANE considering it was only a year after installation. It really drives home how crucial those prep steps are, even when everything seems fine on the surface. I can't believe you used to skim on moisture checks, but now it's a hard lesson learned. Humidity spikes are no joke, and your story is a wake-up call for anyone in the trade.

margaretc231mo ago

What specific prep steps became non-negotiable for you?

cole3561mo ago

Honestly, humidity can really throw a wrench in even the best plans. My buddy learned that the hard way when his skip-on-prep attitude led to a full basement floor replacement after one damp summer. I guess it's one of those things you don't appreciate until it's too late.