SUBFLOOR PREP MOISTURE MATTERS


Measure twice, install once. This is the advice of Jason Wright, Business Development Specialist for New Products at Wagner Meters, as he explains how to avoid costly wood flooring failures by using Orion Meters for subfloor moisture management control.


Imagine the following scenario: you’ve just installed a gorgeous hardwood floor in a client’s home. You’re proud of your work, and the client loves it. But one month later, you get a call: the flooring has warped with unsightly cupping.


You’re certain that you checked the moisture content of the flooring planks. So how did this happen? The answer lies deeper… literally. Below the flooring itself. A wet subfloor will wreak havoc on even the most careful flooring jobs.


Want to avoid the above scenario?


Subfloors can be made of many different materials, but let’s discuss why you must measure the moisture content of your wood subfloors.


We’ll cover: • Why moisture measurement of subfloors is important. • The number-one tool you need to measure that moisture efficiently and accurately.


• How you can use your wood moisture meter during installation to avoid detrimental consequences.


Let’s get started.


WHY MOISTURE MEASUREMENT OF YOUR SUBFLOORS IS IMPORTANT


Without accurately assessing the moisture condition of a subfloor, your otherwise-flawless flooring project could be all but ruined – damaging not only the flooring, but your reputation as well.


But before we get into some of the consequences, let’s lay some groundwork.


To understand why moisture measurement is so critical, we have to understand what we’re actually measuring. That’s where moisture content (MC) and equilibrium moisture content (EMC) come in.


The MC of a subfloor is the percentage of moisture present within the material – in this case, some kind of wood or wood product, like plywood or oriented strand board (OSB). EMC is the percentage at which a given material will stop releasing and absorbing moisture in a given environment (i.e., the point of equilibration).


For example, suppose you are installing a wood floor in Florida, and the recently delivered subfloor has a moisture content (MC) of 7%. That would be fine and dandy if you were installing that floor in Arizona, but Florida has an average indoor EMC of 12%-13%. This means that your subfloor is going to continue absorbing moisture until it reaches that equilibrium.


If you install flooring over that subfloor, it will warp because moisture causes wood to expand or contract until it matches the


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moisture of its installation environment. A warped subfloor means a warped floor. And a warped floor means an unhappy client.


All of this could simply be avoided by measuring the MC of the subfloor and taking the necessary steps to match it up with the EMC of the installation location. Which means that you need a meter that can do it all.


That’s where the Orion 950 moisture meter comes in.


THE #1 TOOL TO MEASURE MOISTURE EFFICIENTLY AND ACCURATELY


The best tool for measuring moisture content and making informed decisions about the flooring installation process is a moisture meter. And the best moisture meters out there are those from the Orion line at Wagner Meters.


All of the Orion line meters would do the job with ease. But the Orion 950 is truly the star of the show when it comes to the long- term success of your flooring project. Here’s why:


Pinless Moisture Measurement


A pinless meter means you don’t have to worry about unsightly holes in any of your projects. But does that really matter for measuring the MC of a subfloor, since it will be covered?


While your client may never even see the subfloor, the pinless feature is about more than just aesthetics. Pinless moisture meters are far faster and more accurate than pin-style meters.


EMC Measurement


Remember how integral EMC is to flooring success? With the Orion 950, you don’t need to keep a chart handy or do any crazy calculations. It measures EMC right from the palm of your hand. That’s empowering and efficient.


www.tomorrowscontractfloors.co.uk


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