acceptable moisture levels in floor joists
Wood moisture content is always varying. Floors should be: level within a 3mm deviation per 1m for floors up to 6m across (measured at the furthest points across the full width of the floor) a maximum of 20mm out of level for floors over 6m across flat within a 5mm deviation, measured using a 2m straight edge with equal offsets. The other was for a $100 retail gift card. 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. The joist span tables start with 26 lumber and it goes all the way up to 212. This can lead to rising damp, dry rot, timber decay, fungal growth and borer. For example, if the expected EMC ranges from a low of 6% to a high of 9%, the baseline moisture content of the wood would be 7.5%. But this wetness is only surficial. 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. A contractor is measuring sill plates by driving 2 SS Screws into the wood about 1-1/2 or so inches. However, a general rule of thumb is that the basement's humidity level is not over 30 - 50 percent. Here is the one I would recommend: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/mmc220-extended-range-moisture-meter/, My potential house in North Carolina Fayetteville area was just checked for moisture content in the crawl space. 2. Post and beam constructions don't have to be kiln-dried but should be air-dried. That doesnt make much sense to me. Before installing plywood underlayment, ensure that the existing flooring is thoroughly vacuumed, free from debris, and stripped of wax. Such readings should alert the homeowner to look for a source of excess moisture. Wood moisture content between 0% and about 28% is dependent upon the relative humidity (RH) of the air. Great article, thanks for the info. I recently received a call from a Realtor who is selling a home. The table had a 1 3/4 X 3 1/2 thick boarder with mitred corners and biscuited. Alternatively, you could set up a crawl space dehumidifier and draw the . They need to carry a moisture meter with them under houses and probe the floor joists to measure wood moisture content. The acceptable moisture levels in a crawl space are between 30% and 50%, with under 55% being the ideal. Maximum Moisture Content Of Concrete This is a nominal value most product manufacturers specify when concrete is dry enough to allow their product to lay down on it. The normal outside equilibration moisture content (EMC) for Indiana is anywhere from 13% to 16%. info@rlcengineering.com You wrote that 15% humidity may induce mold? During the summer, moisture content readings above . Indoor humidity is around 50%, indoor temps around 70 degrees. i did not waterproof the outside of the curb (kerdi), so the wood got wet. Also, there is a risk of mold. The cedar I have is now at 12-16%. Since the cold weather has come on, the organic growth has gone dormant, but a contractor noticed joists with distinctive moisture content where there are definitive separations between dry and wet looking wood. 78 0 obj <>stream It is not uncommon for wood to expand or contract as much as a 1/8 per foot of width, so maintaining a stable environment is important. -ThA?> =v\0r5#v ,J\Byt)%*?I!PT`FdCE N a^1IMm[?x>7RFH +=\ ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? Typical humidity levels inside a home is between 40 to 50%. The acceptable moisture levels in basement walls and floors will depend on many factors. Different joinery (currently using pocket holes)? It will be there for a few months before I begin working on it. Joist spans may not be on the minds of most do-it-yourselfers, but joist spans are everywhere: above our heads in the ceiling joists and below our feet as flooring joists. My builder and flooring contractor asked for me to give the hardwoods a season to acclimate and they would surely move back together in june/july time frame. My question for you is, now that it is stained, can I still get an accurate MC? endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream The interior wood moisture level should be 12% or lower before painting. Squeaks from subfloors The floor installer is often the 'first cab off the rank' when there is a squeaking floor and the problem may The moisture content of freshly cut wood is typically somewhere between 40-200%. There was a board that cracked along a glue line. somewhere. The lumber was recently milled, although the tree had been cut months, years ago. Hi Larry, thanks for the great knowledge sharing. Even with lower temperatures, the ideal range for wood keeps relative humidity between 55% and 75%. Which Orion moisture meter model would you suggest for my application? meter readings of up to 2.0% and in-slab relative humidity (RH) below 75%. I suspect the moisture was the culprit? Many of our customers are successfully using our hand held moisture meters on engineered flooring. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. Standard construction studs such as 24 and 26s are typically dried to 19% moisture content before they are installed. These mold spores land on the wet wood and take root. Wood freshly cut or kiln-dried is always interacting with environmental moisture. I had a quick looked around the crawl space and didnt notice any structure damage. I-joists are strong, lightweight, "I" shaped engineered wood structural members that meet demanding performance standards. Cut out a portion (approx 1/2" I think) from the top of the floor joists. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. Im hoping this should work. Using South Carolina Residential Construction Standards to Solve Problems, Website by Integritive Web Design :: Asheville, NC. Box 1437 Any input would be most appreciated. board will move 3 times the amount as a 4-in. That is still quite a wide range. We have started to import teak outdoor furniture from Indonesia into Europe. Please give us a call at (800) 634-9961 or email info@wagnermeters.com, if youd prefer. Engineering & Inspection Services, Licensed PE - Alabama & Tennessee, JADE Engineering & Inspection | 5405 Whitesburg Dr. This pinless meter is accurate, Ive got 2 other pin moisture meters and all 3 of them read within only 1-3% difference as checked on wood structures. Heres how it works. A moisture content that is too high will also slow the cure of the SLu and can affect the subsequent floor finish. Thank you. In this case, what Built in # that I can use to measure flooring. When questioned, he said because Room is under 200 sq feet it is not a problem. For example, if the moisture content of the delivered wood is 12% and the optimal MC is 6%, then physical problems will occur during the acclimation process. We also have an Orion 950 moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. Every home's foundation repair needs are different based on soil type, type of foundation problem, and climate. 25-30 - Actual, and often extensive, damage is evident when readings reach this level. It seems to me the supplier is drying the Teak to 14% because that is what is needed in Indonesia. Cheers, Howard Pruden in Edmonton, Alberta where its cold and dry. A general rule of thumb for the coastal regions of FL would be 11-13%MC. I have seen home built in the dead of winter, covered in snow, and still dry out enough for a successful home build. You must be careful with a thick slab once you cut it. Should I wait? You should be able to tell where the water reached the subfloor because it will be discolored and may also be swelled up. 800-634-9961, or email sales@wagnermeters.com. The floor (under carpet) had long-term water exposure supposedly from a shower in the adjacent bathroom (according to the plumber). Thanks for any help you can provide! But the table will be inside? Hi Moisture Experts, My house is 25 years old located in Oregon City OR (near Portland). We dont know if we still should be having a commercial drying process? Thanks. 16% - 20%- Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. For a wooden subfloor you will need to use a 2-pronged moisture meter. Why Do So Many Homes Have Cracks in Their Brick Veneer? Your help for resolving this issue would be highly appreciated . The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. Wood Moisture Content (WMC) is often used as an indicator of decay problems in houses. I have one question with regards to pinless moisture meters and wallboard/Sheetrock. The ASTM D4442 standard determines the accuracy of wood moisture meters. In general, all wood products will swell with an increase in moisture content and shrink with a decrease in moisture content. 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. During my visit, I crawled to the four main corners of the crawl space and probed the floor system with an electronic moisture meter during this traverse. Each piece of lumber is unique and carries physical characteristics that may include the following: knots, warping, shrinkage, swelling and/or splitting. These include warping, cracking, buckling, diminished wood strength, corrosion of fasteners, and even fungal growth. 3.Vacuum and/or Wipe Excess Moisture. Thats why I think the wood is either not dried to 14%, or it has picked up too much humidity after drying. I think that I know my own answer, but thought I might reach out for some possible better insight. if not, can you tell me why? primer, the moisture vapor transmissions rate (MVtr) from the substrate should not be in excess of 5 lbs. This is based on a chart in Wood Handbook: Wood as an Engineering Material. That is way beyond fibre-saturation. 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. Most are reading are between 13-15%. With a Wagner L606, I am getting MC readings 12%->15.5% . I am not familiar with the particular moisture meter the plumber was using, but assuming it is correct, that moisture content is way too high to install new flooring. Timber logs & Lumber into India company remained actively involved in harvesting and sale of Hardwood logs of Indian origin. Perhaps there is something different about the East and West walls. I understand that a home inspector expressed concern about fungal growth on the floor framing, so the buyer is concerned that the fungus needs to be removed/cleaned/mitigated from the joists. This pin-type moisture meter is one of Delmhorst's most popular models. 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. Hello, Paul here. There are areas where organic growth was very active to cause deep, black discolorization. So what do you think is the ideal moisture% I should dry them to before rotary polishing them? For more information, see our article comparing Pinless Moisture Meters vs. Pin Meters. https://www.wagnermeters.com/wood-moisture-meters/. Fungus loves wet wood. Typical moisture content for furniture in a home is 6-9%. I have removed the 1 3/4 edge and resawn to take out the splinter (1/4) re bicuited . We had boards that were also cracking/splitting and other places where small pinholes were showing up. Though on occasion, they are made of 2x10s and tripled for additional . Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. 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. Stopping the moisture is much cheaper and easier than repairing the structure. Your email address will not be published. This is more likely to occur to occur in lower-grade boards, where knots and uneven grains are already present. Ive been following your in depth blog on moisture meters for around 1 year now. Retain this information with your records. Observed water leaking along seams of several sheets of original plywood in attic. Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. Sorry, that time of year. Since water conducts electricity and wood doesnt, the dryness of the wood can be determined by the amount of resistance to an electrical current. I checked it with my new moisture meter and had a reading of between 8-13.5%. 16% 20% Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. The fir stock was originally KDd to around 8% but has been covered and stored outside for over a year and currently MC is around 12%. Let's repeat that again. And it's important to keep in mind that a glued-up panel behaves basically as one wide piece of lumber. Moisture content of 11.5% for the oak is a little high for furniture grade hardwoods. 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. One sheet of plywood is 25% next to a 2X4 truss reading 17-27%. 3. Additional care is necessary if laying parallel to the joists and sheet subfloors can sag between the joist. I really appreciate your treatise on this matter. I would have thought that if the floor gave a 99.9% water saturation reading, it would have had to have been noticeably wet. Acclimation is the process for conditioning the moisture content of wood flooring to the environment where it will be installed. Thank you. All that needs to be done at this home is to close-up the foundation vents during every air conditioning season and make sure the ground cover vapor barrier is spread completely over the underlying ground surface. The water wasnt properly dried and organic growth was discovered by previous owner. Damn those shop classes I didnt take. 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? Subfloor material such as plywood or OSB should measure between 10 and 14% moisture content. Substrates must be protected by: One of our new line of moisture meters will help locate areas of high moisture, if it still exists. I have an unusual question, if I was to sandwich recycled paper (similar to hardwood floor paper only heavier) between 2 layers of wood as a draft stop what should the moisture content be to avoid the paper absorbing any water and ending up with a mold issue thanks in advance for any info you can provide. 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-!) In March of this year I had new white oak 2 flooring installed. 7. Prior to the re-shim, the pier in the area that floods in the spring could be felt pushing up the floor, meaning the beam is warping and been monitoring it. In an air conditioned house the wood floor. My question is microwaving twice turned bowls what would be the general rule of thumb for a target by weight. The containers that we have received so far have arrived wet and mouldy. If a wooden sample has moisture content range of 2-6% only and if it has moisture content of 9 or 10% then what does this mean?? i want to make a headboard from it. I would love to be able to give you the perfect answer but unfortunately, there isnt one. What should be the approximate Highest MC to prevent wood problems to include finishes? Different wood? Treated wood is typically still wet when its delivered to the job site. Percent moisture content in wood is the ratio of the weight of water compared to the overall weight of a piece of wood. Drying equipment removed 3 days ago. I would like to load eucalyptus and pine wood logs to India . The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . If an interior location has an average RH of 40-52%, wood placed there will have an average EMC of 8-9%. Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. You can use our free APP called WoodH2O to help you decide on the best moisture content. 1 4 Thanks for the question. 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? hellow! Specifically in the first 3-4 on one side of the door is 11%, then drops to ~8%. We are very arid where the tops were built so I figured the tables would be just fine knowing that it is arid where they were goingbut that doesnt seem to be the case. Can I get a away with this? These are the "safest" conditions for most types of woodbetween 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 30% to 50% RH. 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. Both times, the tables were flawless, but after 2-3 weeks in their new home both table tops had major crack issues. Im not sure I can really answer this question. I have seen that 13.5% is high for furniture and you should aim below 12%. What humidity content should cedar be at for proper gluing. Insert the pins into the surface of the wood you want to test. The other question is what should the moisture content be on treated lumber that will be for the framing of the deck? Jerry, From a moisture standpoint, water in the basement can over time absorb into your subfloor. I know the rule of thumb is 1 year of dry time per inch of thickness of wood. This water may come from condensation, roof leaks, plumbing leaks, or contact with the soil. To avoid this problem, wood flooring should never be stored where environmental conditions are uncontrolled, such as garages and exterior patios. Hi, we live in a coastal area, had a recent water leak, and a hard wood floor MC is measuring about 25% the water did not contact this area directly. Call JADE today for a crawlspace inspection and we can give you definitive answers to your crawl space problems! Call JADE today for a crawlspace inspection and we can give you definitive answers to your crawl space problems! Yes, it is possible to have a moisture content reading of 99.9%. The ceiling in the bedroom above the chimney breast shows signs of damp however doesn't feel damp/moist. When it hits the cooler air of the crawl space, it increases the relative humidity by about 2% per degree! This building was constructed around 1966 and this little space appears very dry, in spite of a recent leak from an nearby hot water tank. So, is it really this wet or is our meter over-reading? Learn how your comment data is processed. 1. in Indonesia there are a lot of raw materials consisting of natural fibers, such as: pandanus, water hyacinth, rattan etc. we are presently constructing a new timber frame residence on ocean front in BC, Canada. Set the meter to the species that makes up the bulk, in this case, the plywood. What do you recommend? Thank you so much for your time and expertise. Just press the scanning plate against the woods surface, turn on the meter, and receive the reading. As with the hardwood flooring, it is essential to check the OSB's moisture content using a moisture meter. Any opinions. Dryer wood produces more resistance than wetter wood. Building Performance Series No. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. How Timber Reacts To Moisture. Any suggestions to this being possible to correct? Thank You. I live on the fl coast so what should the moisture level be? 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. Here's a good rule of thumb: Notches should be no deeper than 1/6 the depth of the joist. If the water leak was bad enough, dry rot can occur causing possible structural integrity issues. So please help us to know what should be required moisture level in Acacia board in final product if we need to restrict wood movement at Colorado . Your cost could be more or less, depending on the size of the floor area. Thanks for the question. I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. Thank you. If the humidity is a constant 76% then the wood will equilibrate between 14 and 15% moisture content. 12.5% is gettin there but not quite to the 6-9% mentioned in the article. 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. I live in michigan (humid summer, long cold winter). And would it be normal for the MC to vary from board-to-board and one end of a board to the other? the concrete was completely dry, no standing water. Mold starts growing if the moisture contents reaches about 25% moisture content. Im still not sure that whatever they do will produce a good, long-term result, but I need to know what they should be doing to the wood. Three years ago, the floor sank in a heavy traffic area and an engineer told me Masonite was used to shim and had compressed. This week, I notice the next pier on the same beam is starting to push up, warping the floor. 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. 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. . Im looking for the % number that will be my upper boundary for oil application Would 12% be ok? Oh no! Just across the threshold to a white oak floor installed in ~1914 and the MC is 15%->16%. /U (li7":-JOBHO,9UY) /P 65492 >> endobj 14 0 obj << /S /GoTo /D [ 15 0 R /Fit ] >> endobj 27 0 obj << /S 45 /T 91 /Filter /FlateDecode /Length 28 0 R >> stream Copyright - RLC Engineering, LLC. What is the optimal MC of the fir stock for construction of the windows? Moisture was around 25% when milled, and the ends were sealed. Best of luck with your project. 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. h_k0 r ?c|@+wpF=M^r? ( BzPxgA9P{j]s 3r\WQu\@U.Jy'h{>dccy. Thanks for the reply. Is this dry enough that Id be able to reinstall the trim over the particleboard? My house is 24 years old. For wide-width solid flooring (3 or wider), there should be no more than a 2% difference in moisture content between properly acclimated wood flooring and subflooring materials. If possible, keep indoor humidity below 60 percent (ideally between 30 and 50 percent) relative humidity. Thank you, In wood products manufacturing, 6-8% is pretty much the norm, at least in North America. Ceilings account for 35%, walls - 25% and windows 25%. 28% and above Readings in this range are often accompanied by decay damage. Do you have any recommendations on how to prevent mold from getting on the wood? The floor installer put the floors down without allowing the boards to acclimate. I would like to rip two slabs and glue them together to make a nice large dining room table. Its always a good idea to check with the manufacturer of the finish also. Required fields are marked *. The humidity in the room is currently 40! The builder's warranty representative came out and measured the moisture levels with a moisture meter. endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream We have a free App called WoodH2O that will tell you the moisture content given certain temperature and humidity conditions.