With the WoodH2O-app I could deduct the EMC for The Netherlands would be between 15 and 16. My question for you is: after a smallish unheated underground space (similar to a basement, i.e. If that is the case you need to remove the flooring and examine the subfloor. Cheers, Howard Pruden in Edmonton, Alberta where its cold and dry. Is this accurate? But this wetness is only surficial. According to Dr. Eugene Wengert, professor and specialist in wood processing at the University of Wisconsin-Madisons Department of Forestry, wood should be dried to a water MC thats within two percentage points of the EMC where the wood is going to be used. This method uses the oven-dry method and then compares the results to those obtained using a moisture meter. . This means a very absorbent wood can retain more water, weight wise, the weight of the wood itself. Either one should be acceptable for finishes. It is possible, in some species, to have a moisture content higher than 100 percent. They are now saying that they will replace whatever boards are bad and resand and finish the floors, however Im concerned that there is an underlying issue that will resurface here? A dehumidifier in the crawlspace will help but can be expensive. A Brick Veneer Crack Tragedy: A True Story, Spraying for Mold on Floor Joists: Pest Control. The ideal moisture content will depend on the humidity indoors. Seattles EMC ranges from 12.2% to 16.5%. The average annual relative humidity will play the biggest role in determining what the optimal MC should be. The maximum subfloor moisture level for solid strip flooring or wide-width solid flooring is either 12% or 13%, depending on the manufacturer. Jerry, From a moisture standpoint, water in the basement can over time absorb into your subfloor. look forward to your comments. The difference is the moisture meters measurement error. Unless something is so out of whack shimming in back of the sheetrock won't suffice it's OK here. I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. We just had a hydrometer installed in the crawlspace and it is reading 38% as of today. You should be ok as long as the moisture content does not get worse (higher). The failure in your case sounds as though the piece was exposed to a rapid loss of already low ambient moisture, causing the cracking in the piece. You can use our free APP called WoodH2O to help you decide on the best moisture content. A mold or mildew odor or appearance on surfaces. Take the readings in at least 20 spots per 1,000 square feet of flooring and average the results. The thickness of flooring joists themselves will be determined by what's going on top of them. You can determine the correct percent moisture content by using our free app called WoodH2O. He, of course, said that type of product is insufficient. But the table will be inside? Call JADE today for a crawlspace inspection and we can give you definitive answers to your crawl space problems! 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. or finally the product will be placed where. Treatment levels for timber and timber-based materials used under tiles in wet areas where the waterproofing membrane cannot easily be inspected or maintained should be: H1.2 for timber floor joists and wall framing around showers; H3 (CCA treated) for plywood. I get some water seepage through an exterior wall at basement floor level as a result of heavy rain. Im on a grade-level concrete slab, and the water made its way over (under the tiles) to my sink vanity. The installer should then check the moisture content of multiple boards and average the results. thanks so much in advance. While playing around with my pinless meter and checking the interior East and west walls on hot days, I notice the moisture content being very high 60% mc to off scale. Damn those shop classes I didnt take. Im not sure which part of Europe you are from, but typically the Indonesian climate is very humid compared to other parts of the world. There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. Would it still be 9% for pressure treated wood? Hi Davetta, Youll need to contact a local mold inspection company that is certified. I read your article and really like it. The floor (under carpet) had long-term water exposure supposedly from a shower in the adjacent bathroom (according to the plumber). Do these levels seen appropriate considering the recent rainfall. Typical humidity levels inside a home is between 40 to 50%. Many timber-framed floor problems can be traced to moisture levels, excessive loads or borer. I would like to rip two slabs and glue them together to make a nice large dining room table. This means your crawl space humidity goes up by about 22 degrees. all concrete) is framed and sheetrocked (though not mudded or sealed in any way) is then the studs are tested for humidity, what would be a reasonable level here in Seattle, living approximately 100 yards Puget Sound? Although, in this example, the moisture content of the timber rarely goes above 17%, it is not uncommon for winter moisture contents, in pitched roofs, to peak above 25%. The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . From a strictly static MC%, 16-20% MC for long duration is going to promote mold growth. During the summer months, when outdoor humidity is high, the hot/humid air enters the crawl space through the foundation vents and condenses on cool objects. As lumber dries, it may split, cup and warp. 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. board, and a 12-in. During the increased average temperatures of spring and summer, timber moisture content reduces to more acceptable levels. At this home, cool objects include the air conditioning ductwork, the ground and the overlying wood floor system, which is exposed to very cool temperatures due to air conditioning duct leakage. 17 and the flooring is at 6 to 7. Summers are hot and dry while winters can be cool. If the wood would really arrive with a MC of 14%, we would not have any problems. Floor joists support most of your home's weight and play a crucial role in structural integrity. Its not growing or feeding on the wood. Grain orientation matters However, the wood species and the thickness or size of the wood may also factor in. 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 . I am not aware of a standard moisture content for packaging food or any other product. Characteristic of this wood easy to absorb of water and have large open pore. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. Headers, columns, and joists are rotting. Lacquer will not make a reading difference as long as there are no metallic components in the lacquer itself. Does that seem normal. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. Request Answer. The moisture content overall is almost always below 20%. Should I remove more foam to be sure. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? Was told thats not done. 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. I would think at least fixing your dehumidifier is a must. This app will tell you the percent moisture content that a given temperature and humidity will equilibrate to. Spruce isnt a hardwood so Im assuming I could get away with a shorter dry time. Here is a link to our moisture meters, thermo-hygrometer, and Smart Logger. Two questions I need a reliable, easy to use meter that can cover all species as I now have a portable mill and that can be used for treated. There are water stains on the particle board floor, but the flooring felt completely dry a few minutes after the reading was taken (I didnt see the reading being taken), the floor looks dry in the plumbers photo, the particle board flooring is not noticeably swollen, and it certainly has no flaking or other signs of disintegration or lessening to its structural integrity. Very simple and understandable. These home inspectors are insecure and inexperienced. If after the inspection we find that your sagging floor joists need support or your home's foundation needs repair we may recommend using IntelliJack, JES Helical Piers, or JES Push Piers. Replaced the subfloor, which is . The acceptable moisture content in wood depends on two factors: These two factors make it difficult to say anything specific about acceptable wood moisture content. (EMC) than other pieces of wood, depending on its location. Thanks Mark, The EMC outside and the wood should be the same. The water eventually came out a electric outlet located three inches off the floor. I have built two table tops (douglas fir) that have both suffered major cracking in their final location. Thanks for the question. for a mere $4900. I found your website at just the right time. And would it be normal for the MC to vary from board-to-board and one end of a board to the other? Because of the different materials involved, they will react differently to high heat, thus giving you an un-even plywood surface. Brick Veneer Homes: Are They Really Worth the Headache? 10? Hello Enjoyed the article. Check joints and bottom plates as moisture can get trapped here. Did the Contractor mention anything about the structural strength of the joists? Standard construction studs such as 24 and 26s are typically dried to 19% moisture content before they are installed. 1. Thank you for the well described article. However, and unless otherwise permitted by a flooring product manufacturer, the following maximum moisture emission levels over a 24 hour period are permissible for the following floor coverings types: When I purchase it its soaking wet and Ive always given it a few weeks, stickered and covered for at least 2 weeks, sometimes up to a month, to get it down to around 17-19%. What is the acceptable water/moisture content in cassia bark?- in south east asia. The table had a 1 3/4 X 3 1/2 thick boarder with mitred corners and biscuited. 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. Dryer wood produces more resistance than wetter wood. Signs Of Moisture In Basement. He added that plastic sheet ground covering that his company laid over my crawl space had been moved in spots and that I no longer had full coverage. within two percentage points of the EMC where the wood is going to be used. I dialed the 800 number for Wagner meters and all I got was two sales pitches for a Life alert type device. The manufacturer of the oil-based poly should have a specification on the maximum allowable moisture content of the wood. We dont know if we still have leaks? A wood moisture content of 47% is too high. To achieve this, Acceptable Solution E2/AS1 says that, on near-level sites, the floor level must be no less than 150 mm above the crown of the road or the lowest point of the boundary. RH where they were built is about 29-30%. During the summer, moisture content readings above . If your subfloor is a wood product, make sure the reading is less than 20% on the moisture meter. Above 90% RH or 20% WMC, mold can grow on the wood. Such readings should alert the homeowner to look for a source of excess moisture. I think that I know my own answer, but thought I might reach out for some possible better insight. 7. A dry reading will be 16% MC (Moisture Content) or below. Thanks for the question. These are typical readings for exterior wood. Your contractor may use something called a moisture meter to see what the approach should be for joist damage, or it may be more obvious based on the appearance of the wood. I believe you are asking for the percent moisture content (humidity) of South African woods. These are slabs roughly 2 thick. 800-634-9961, or email sales@wagnermeters.com. Thanks for the the information, very detailed and useful. Normal moisture content of wood ranges from 7% to 19%. Box 1437 I live in Charlotte, NC. To the right, 13.2% in the same distance and also drops to ~ 8% after. For example, a 26 Southern Pine joist can span 12'. Had fans and dehumidifer running for 17 days starting 2 days after leak. For example, if you were to have an EMC of 14%, then you would measure the woods moisture content and make sure its at 14%. Timber framing needs to be dried to acceptable moisture content levels as stipulated in NZS 3602:2003 Timber and wood-based products for use in building. This summer I milled several 1.25 boards from a fir log that had been cut around 10 years ago. the curb is built with 3 2/4s stacked on each other. Perhaps try to seal the vapor barrier better around the piers. Here is a link to our website for more information: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/. Mold growth can be limited if the MC of wood can be kept below 20%. at one spot, its 40%. We have had very bad cracking in sheetrock and floors. Below a 17% MC of wood, virtually no microbial growth will occur on even the most susceptible materials. 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. 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? Specifically in the first 3-4 on one side of the door is 11%, then drops to ~8%. Thanks for the reply. 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. We will be having a deck built off my woodshop. 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. Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. 1. in Indonesia there are a lot of raw materials consisting of natural fibers, such as: pandanus, water hyacinth, rattan etc. If any of these conditions occur, tell your installer right away. I am presently drying it to around 8%-10% and then rotary polishing it, but I am facing the issue of burrs on the edges. Your subfloor moisture level should be no greater than seven to nine percent when you are installing flooring. My main concern here is that the flooring didnt have enough time to acclimate to the surrounding conditions. A consistent humidity level of 70 percent will require wood to be about 13 percent moisture content. The amount of swelling or shrinkage depends on how much the . About how long do you think we should allow the new wood to acclimate in the end use environment before installing it? Set the meter to the species that makes up the bulk, in this case, the plywood. We appreciate you writing in, best of luck! -ThA?> =v\0r5#v ,J\Byt)%*?I!PT`FdCE N a^1IMm[?x>7RFH +=\ Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. Floor joists are generally 6, 8, 10, or 12 inches in width, with 8 or 10 inches as the most common sizes. z .XWb*QGF^v4MQ`_dRw{\;\'03Uhx-SeJlc!m\8X^,Z/hU5Ewdzz:`nZ!(7reWD4X. This is for furniture-grade hardwoods. The company they hired measured 47% in the wood and declares that this must be ripped out and replaced. This weight difference is then used to calculate the woods original moisture content. A 212 joist of the same species and quality can span nearly 25'. To do so: Make two vertical cuts through the joist a safe distance away from each end of the rotten section. endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream When questioned, he said because Room is under 200 sq feet it is not a problem. Therefore, in order to avoid post-construction problems, a woodworker building a cabinet for this particular interior environment would need to dry his wood to a moisture content of 8- 9% beforehand and then keep it that dry during the construction process. Do you have a suggestion? If decay or WMC readings over 28% are present, find and fix the sources of liquid water quickly. It is a 2-3 feet wide wet area that drains to a line connected to the city system. Leicester, NC 28748 With a Wagner L606, I am getting MC readings 12%->15.5% . we are presently constructing a new timber frame residence on ocean front in BC, Canada. As the airs RH increases, so does the moisture content of any wood exposed to the air. There is over three foot of block above grade around the entire house. For joists where the rot infestation has been thoroughly dealt with: it is acceptable to leave the joist as it is. 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. Use a level to determine if the floor is level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. How to test moisture /water content in cassia bark? Do you think that heated floor actually help to dry or do they make things worse and more humid! Make sure theyre aligned with the grain and not across it. The humidity in the room is currently 40! Wagner has a free app called WoodH2O to help you determine the proper moisture levels based on consistent humidity and temperature. hellow! 3.Vacuum and/or Wipe Excess Moisture. endstream endobj 79 0 obj <>stream As with the hardwood flooring, it is essential to check the OSB's moisture content using a moisture meter. 15% is too high, at least for hardwoods. They need to carry a moisture meter with them under houses and probe the floor joists to measure wood moisture content. The engineered wood floor appears ok. These include warping, cracking, buckling, diminished wood strength, corrosion of fasteners, and even fungal growth. What is the acceptable moisture level for plywood? I suspect the moisture was the culprit? Wood freshly cut or kiln-dried is always interacting with environmental moisture. Cut in the spring and stacked and dried them over the summer. 1= z@ Colorado is cold and dry. Hug the ones you love when you see them! Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material, https://research.cnr.ncsu.edu/blogs/wpe/files/2016/08/Equilibrium-Moisture-Content-of-Exterior-Wood-in-the-US.pdf, https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/, http://www.csgnetwork.com/emctablecalc.html, https://www.spikevm.com/calculators/logging/equilibrium.php, https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-910-deep/, 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, Restoration Expert Says Moisture Management Critical to Health of Any House or Building, Correct Moisture Content: Critical to Your Woodworking Projects, Mckinleyville Middle Schoolers Learning about Wood Moisture Content, Ambient Data Loggers: Peace of Mind in a Box for Wood Flooring Installers, 5 Things Not to Do When Measuring Moisture in Wood Flooring, Alabama Wood Crafters Share Wood Woes When Overlooking a Moisture Meter.

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