We really cant overstress the importance of taking plenty of moisture readings. ft., based on a standard AStM F-1869 (Calcium Chloride) test, or 80% rh, based on AStM F-2170. Substrates must be protected by: Mold starts to grow in the mid to high 20 percent moisture contents. My first question is how to determine the MC of eng wood flooring which composite of different species layer, face and different species to form plywood core. With the WoodH2O-app I could deduct the EMC for The Netherlands would be between 15 and 16. How Timber Reacts To Moisture. 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. Phil, what are you making with the cedar, and in what type of environment will it be? -ThA?> =v\0r5#v ,J\Byt)%*?I!PT`FdCE N a^1IMm[?x>7RFH +=\ Wagner has a free app called WoodH2O to help you determine the proper moisture levels based on consistent humidity and temperature. Fresh cut trees can have a wood moisture content over 200%, while completely dried wood will have a wood moisture content of 0%. If the wood is covered by a material like MDF or other, do we take 2x the measurements? Unless something is so out of whack shimming in back of the sheetrock won't suffice it's OK here. Please give us a call at (800) 634-9961 or email info@wagnermeters.com, if youd prefer. The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . The plywood setting is .57. 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? The containers that we have received so far have arrived wet and mouldy. One note is that we did have some fungus growth in our crawlspace during the construction phase prior to the crawlspace being sealed and had the contractor come and spray and clean the floor joists and subflooring where applicable. This method uses the oven-dry method and then compares the results to those obtained using a moisture meter. Now the fungus goes dormant. Should I wait for the slabs to be within that 6-9% to cut and glue? There are two main types of wood moisture meters, pin-type and pinless. Use a level to determine if the floor is level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. Wood is used to clean model railroad tracks. As this moisture condenses on the floor system, it wets the wood. Wonder if they are trying to cover themselves. All Rights Reserved. You mentioned the humidity outside is 55%. In fact, according to M. Steven Doggett, Ph.D. LEED AP, the founder of Built Environments, Inc., wood moisture content as high as 15% can cause corrosion of metal fasteners and at 16% may lead to fungal growth. summary Wood must always be allowed to acclimate or come into balance with the RH of the end-use location. It does the same for wood, and is especially hard on softwoods, such as pine or fir. Wagner Meters has a couple of resources to help you determine the moisture content more suited to your outdoor environment. Everyone who works with wood needs to understand how wood interacts with moisture in the environment. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. When it comes to the moisture content of plywood or dimensional lumber, an MC of 17% to 19% reduces the overall strength of plywood, and an MC of 20% or more reduces the strength of dimensional lumber (i.e., lumber cut to certain predefined sizes, such as 2x4s). As the airs RH increases, so does the moisture content of any wood exposed to the air. This weight difference is then used to calculate the woods original moisture content. It's a direct proportion: an 8-in. 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. Post and beam constructions don't have to be kiln-dried but should be air-dried. The other was for a $100 retail gift card. 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. Wide-spread and often extensive moisture damage occurs in residences across the state of South Carolina and elsewhere in the Southeast due to the regions warm, humid climate. . Im looking for the % number that will be my upper boundary for oil application Would 12% be ok? The rim joist and floor joist sit right on the block. The plumber said that the floor has an elevated moisture reading and took a photo showing the 99.9% (maximum reading) on the meter while the meter was on the floor. With a concrete subfloor you should use a digital hygrometer, which needs to be left in place for at least 24 hours. . 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. 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. Did the Contractor mention anything about the structural strength of the joists? Let's repeat that again. Your help for resolving this issue would be highly appreciated . I appreciate you sharing this important information with us at this time. 16% 20% Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. Larry Loffer is a senior technician at Wagner Meters, where he has over 30 years of experience in wood moisture measurement. I recommend one of our Orion models: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. Both slab-on-ground and suspended concrete floors for wet areas: are deemed impervious when steel trowel finished or polished. I have a black walnut slabbed up that has been air drying outside for 2 yrs. I requested the treated lumber be brought in a few weeks prior to build, stickered and put under cover to acclimate and dry it. This is the standard in the construction industry. Utilize the chart on following page to record the environmental readings at the time of installation. A 10% moisture content reading means that 10% of a wood samples weight is due to water in the wood. The EMC in the recommended temperature/humidity range coincides with the 6% to 9% range used by most flooring manufacturers during the manufacturing and shipping process. I built the tables in west Texas, but their final home is in Colorado. I believe you are asking for the percent moisture content (humidity) of South African woods. Below a 17% MC of wood, virtually no microbial growth will occur on even the most susceptible materials. Accuaracy is of course more important.. My question is microwaving twice turned bowls what would be the general rule of thumb for a target by weight. 20% 28% Readings in this range indicate that conditions are border-line for decay. Is this dry enough that Id be able to reinstall the trim over the particleboard? For boundary materials, the values vary depending on the physical properties of what you are . with the spring thaw, i was one of the lucky ones that got water in my basement. Sorry, that time of year. The definitions section of the IICRC S500 current edition describes dry-standard: "a reasonable approximation of the moisture content or level of a material prior to a water intrusion," drying goal: the target moisture content or moisture level in a material to be achieved at the end of the drying process established by the restorer. Can carpet be reinstalled? Mold starts growing if the moisture contents reaches about 25% moisture content. Too wet and you get fuzzing. 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. Yes, hardwoods such as cherry and walnut should be between 6 and 8% moisture content. The excess moisture source must be immediately corrected, and the situation carefully monitored until the WMC returns to the 12-16 range. For solid strip flooring (less than 3 wide) there should be no more than a 4% difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. 12.5% is gettin there but not quite to the 6-9% mentioned in the article. The best way to do this is to use an accurate moisture meter. 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 . hellow! Perhaps try to seal the vapor barrier better around the piers. I did not find any information on Matumi. 1= z@ However, the wood species and the thickness or size of the wood may also factor in. If the water leak was bad enough, dry rot can occur causing possible structural integrity issues. I used my Wagner meter and it Measured in the 10% area. They were installed over existing plywood subfloor. 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. Thanks Phil. ft., and averaging the results. About 5/16 penetration into the wood measures 8% using pins only. Cut out a portion (approx 1/2" I think) from the top of the floor joists. Its never constant. After all, the wall is in contact with damp soil. Or perhaps I should advise them to buy Wagner meters, for better accuracy ;-). i cored out a small section of the bottom beam (3 inches wide) all the way down to the foundation. our question is do we need to replace the floor to avoid fungal problems? 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. The excess moisture source should be corrected if found. This must be done before attempting to dry out the wood. 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. Yes, our moisture meters read MDF. Your email address will not be published. My main concern here is that the flooring didnt have enough time to acclimate to the surrounding conditions. 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. Limit the length of notches to 1/3 of the joist's depth. The excess moisture source should be corrected immediately, and monitored until the WMC returns to the 12-16 range. You can hardly see the humps except the first pier that popped up . 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? Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. if not, can you tell me why? Can I a cut them first, then glue them once they are dryer? I am building a farm style dining table with pecan 2 thick X 8-0 long boards. It is impossible for me to tell you what the percentage of furniture should be, but if you know the EMC in the area it will be kept, you can check the MC continuously until you reach its EMC. We are shipping some acacia chopping board to colorado ( US) with moisture ranges from 10-14% while shipping from India but once product received all get cracked . Soil is almost always damp. Wood moisture content between 0% and about 28% is dependent upon the relative humidity (RH) of the air. ie SW=Starting weight, TW=Target weight, using T%=Target percentage My calculation ( T% X SW = TW). Doesnt sound like this has been a problem in the past. So if I understood the article right and not sure that I did. If that is the case you need to remove the flooring and examine the subfloor. my question is, is there a possibility that the wood will shrink because of the weather condition?the wood that we used for the door frames and bidding is beechwood. When wood is subjected to an environment that is higher in humidity, it will swell or expand. 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. SE, Huntsville, AL 35802. of the average flooring moisture content that is being laid). Avoid unnecessary moisture exposure of all wood components by enclosing the frame against adverse weather as soon as feasible. We dont know if we still should be having a commercial drying process? 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). Many timber-framed floor problems can be traced to moisture levels, excessive loads or borer. Standard moisture contents for hardwoods are 6% 9% MC. Insert the pins into the surface of the wood you want to test. I hope that helps. Use a wet/dry shop vacuum, sump pump, or rags to clean up standing water or excess moisture from the floor and from the surface of the wood. There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. Mold growth can be limited if the MC of wood can be kept below 20%. Then placing his pin meter on the screws. -25% moisture content in a VENTED crawl space. So, when looking at the relative humidity of the space, spaces left above 70% RH for extended periods will also promote mold growth. Once the summer cooling season ends, and the A/C is shut off, and the outside air cools, and the humidity drops significantly, the cool dry air now flowing beneath the home dries out the floor joists. Add an answer. Cracks in Concrete Slabs: Should I Be Concerned? Subtract the width of your floor joist from your floor's length: 120" 1.5" = 118.5". Spruce isnt a hardwood so Im assuming I could get away with a shorter dry time. Should it be less? On a hot, humid summer day, the air venting into the crawl space could be as much as 75% relative humidity and 85 degrees. This type of floor-leveling is DIY-friendly and costs approximately $1.50 per square foot when applied 1/8-inch thick. Perhaps better drainage around your house will do the trick or treat. 800-347-7260 Fax. The MC varies from 7% 13.5% around the exterior door on dry days and 10%-16% during rains. 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. Joists that sit below end matched joints must be at least 35mm thick. A moisture content of less than 20% indicates that your joists and beams do not have the necessary moisture content for mold or fungus to survive. The interior was 3/4 BW the tables dimensions were 40x 70 . Summers are hot and dry while winters can be cool. This is based on a chart in Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. The electrical current will then move from pin to pin and measure the resistance encountered. Pin-type meters use penetrating electrodes and measure the woods moisture content using electrical resistance. The other thing to consider is examining how water is entering your crawl space. Do NOT install the flooring planks until these moisture content levels are achieved. I had a redwood deck, and they replaced it with Douglas fir (without my approval, but thats another issue). I think mine is +-3% Is it possible being near the door just means greater humidity and there isnt actually a leak? I never obtained a moisture reading above 16%. Percent moisture content in wood is the ratio of the weight of water compared to the overall weight of a piece of wood. Building Performance Series No. They are in an unheated and currently very cold barn The moisture ranges from 11% -16% according to my meter. Hug the ones you love when you see them! It depends on the size of the project, but anytime you put a waterborne urethane on the wood you are adding moisture to your project. Thanks for the question. In other words, the water weighs more than the wood fibers. can be laid with falls and set downs. Timber logs & Lumber into India company remained actively involved in harvesting and sale of Hardwood logs of Indian origin. I removed an of the foam insulation. Currently reading a 12.5%. Additional care is necessary if laying parallel to the joists and sheet subfloors can sag between the joist. All houses now use perimeter foundation so outside contact temperature stays at about 55 F all year. 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. Do you have a suggestion? 10? Logs, siding, shiplap, and T&G must be kiln-dried to stop the wood from shrinking or pulling apart. Prior to the flooring installation, make sure your subfloor has not experienced leaks or other water damage. 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. The fir windows and exterior doors will be affected by the the exterior and interior RH. Ive been following your in depth blog on moisture meters for around 1 year now. For example, a 26 Southern Pine joist can span 12'. A consistent humidity level of 70 percent will require wood to be about 13 percent moisture content. Thank you for the helpful article. 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! Chris. 2. Hi and good day , I would like to find out what r the right temperature readings for workable wood slabs in South Africa specially Matumi wood slabs. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. The joist span tables start with 26 lumber and it goes all the way up to 212. 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. As far as the oil finish, the manufacturer of the oil will specify the correct moisture content for an application. That is way beyond fibre-saturation. Most types of wood species will mold above 25% moisture content, including pine. Call 256-318-0982 or contact us today. Thats a big difference. Based on common guidelines or recommendations, the acceptable moisture levels for wood are as follows: Keep in mind that a woods acceptable moisture level will depend primarily on how it will be finally used and the average RH where it will be finally used. Great article! I want to use it to build a table and will be moving it to the location where I will work on it shortly. If you need further clarification http://www.nwfa.org is an excellent source. You will however, need to become familiar with reading your local floor joist span tables for floor beams, floor joists, window and door lintels, ceiling joists, roof joists, roof rafters, and roof ridge beams, as well as the sizing and spacing of wood studs tables. Thank You. Even at this, the estimate would be the high end of MC% prior to shipment, but only rough estimate. I live in Charlotte, NC. Mobeen, If a wooden sample gains moisture, then the sample will increase in size. In contrast, Las Vegas in the drier Southwest has much lower EMC percentages than most other U.S. cities. The NWFA recommends testing wood subfloor moisture in at least 20 locations per 1,000 sq. 11 0 obj << /Linearized 1 /O 15 /H [ 1017 209 ] /L 26721 /E 14333 /N 2 /T 26383 >> endobj xref 11 18 0000000016 00000 n 0000000724 00000 n 0000000820 00000 n 0000000963 00000 n 0000001226 00000 n 0000001393 00000 n 0000001566 00000 n 0000001771 00000 n 0000002827 00000 n 0000002934 00000 n 0000004271 00000 n 0000005322 00000 n 0000005517 00000 n 0000007871 00000 n 0000007949 00000 n 0000009756 00000 n 0000001017 00000 n 0000001206 00000 n trailer << /Size 29 /Info 10 0 R /Encrypt 13 0 R /Root 12 0 R /Prev 26373 /ID[<2277e06d91c56aa37caf41071ab29f47><2277e06d91c56aa37caf41071ab29f47>] >> startxref 0 %%EOF 12 0 obj << /Type /Catalog /Pages 9 0 R /PageMode /UseThumbs /OpenAction 14 0 R >> endobj 13 0 obj << /Filter /Standard /V 1 /R 2 /O (D+K\r,s\n?$+%{Nhjp-!) Failure to allow the wood to acclimate or come into balance with the RH at its end-use location could result in any number of moisture-related problems after the wood product is constructed. What is an FHA Permanent Foundation for Manufactured Homes? Divide that difference by the sum of the on-center spacing of the floor joists: 118.5" / 16" = 7.40625. I have about 3,000 sqft on my first floor and this was relatively consistent throughout. This will stop the wet/dry cycle that exists every year, in every ventilated crawl space containing A/C ductwork in the SE United States, over their lifetime. The water was there for at most 6 hours, then we vacuumed it all and started the process of drying. Just across the threshold to a white oak floor installed in ~1914 and the MC is 15%->16%. They many times cite the need for further evaluations by what they call other so called experts. Its hard to gauge anything off of a cheapo meter, but if and I mean if, we were to assume it was reading effectively, the numbers are too high. I live in upstate South Carolina. Does Brick Veneer Cracking Mean Foundation Problems? 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? Dryer wood produces more resistance than wetter wood. 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? I live in coastal South Carolina .we are definitely afraid of mold formation.
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