I strongly recommend using a moisture meter, along with a thermo-hygrometer, or even a smart logger before you start building, to ensure the wood is at an optimal moisture content in an environment that has an acceptable relative humidity and temperature range. The moisture content of wooden substructure members is routinely being disclosed in the closing process of real estate transactions. As a general guideline, an emission rate of 1.4 kg/100m (3 lbs/1000 ft) or less is considered acceptable for most floor coverings. The wood scale provides accurate, quantitative readings of moisture over the range of 5% to 30% MC in wood. On truss/joist spacing of 16" (406mm) o/c or less, the industry standard for single- panel subflooring is nominal 5/8" (19/32", 15.1 mm) CD Exposure 1 Plywood subfloor panels ( CD Exposure 1) or 23/32" OSB Exposure 1 subfloor panels, 4' x 8' sheets. We are checking moisture levels in several areas each day. i dont understand how the bottom beam looks like swiss cheese from all the holes ive drilled and has had a commercial blower on it for days yet the number is still high despite there being no visible water to keep the wood wet. Its not growing or feeding on the wood. This must be done before attempting to dry out the wood. We had boards that were also cracking/splitting and other places where small pinholes were showing up. 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. Hello I moved into my new home in June of 2018. 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. Use a level to determine if the floor is level within 3/16-inch change per 10 feet. So if I understood the article right and not sure that I did. However, this time I was planning to use oil based poly rather than the spar urethane to reduce the amount of yellowing. This method uses the oven-dry method and then compares the results to those obtained using a moisture meter. A floor joist is a horizontal beam, usually made of wood, that is used to support and enclose the flooring above a foundation. 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? Dryer wood produces more resistance than wetter wood. Even at this, the estimate would be the high end of MC% prior to shipment, but only rough estimate. Other than causing structural damage, too much water can result in mold growth. As with plywood subfloors, if there is movement or squeaks, refasten the subfloor to the joists and set protruding fasteners into the subfloor. >V@Ica4R%f%l&/R*liDqx/nB*?1MH}Su>VeyZ3?>vMLqcwY^U. 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%. 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%. 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. Call JADE today for a crawlspace inspection and we can give you definitive answers to your crawl space problems! Can carpet be reinstalled? 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. It is also possible to have moisture content readings over 100%. 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. However, a general rule of thumb is that the basement's humidity level is not over 30 - 50 percent. I had engineered hard wood installed and it is curling at the joints. Lower differential means slower heat loss. Subtract the width of your floor joist from your floor's length: 120" 1.5" = 118.5". hj0Ed=h].J-)_q},jR3$\ eH"wCk)E)J8 1. to keep the moisture content below 20 percent. Every home's foundation repair needs are different based on soil type, type of foundation problem, and climate. 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. The water was there for at most 6 hours, then we vacuumed it all and started the process of drying. Thanks Phil. What are Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood? Mold and fungus in the crawl space can definitely become a problem, but dont be fooled into thinking that a Borate spray HAS to be applied in EVERY situation. As the humidity decreases, the MC decreases, causing the wood to shrink. The inspector said his meter reading taken from my basement on subflooring/joists/framing was too high. You wrote that 15% humidity may induce mold? I had a pin meter but found I had to put the pins in the ends or try to find an area that wouldnt be seen, so Im thinking a pinless might be better. i cored out a small section of the bottom beam (3 inches wide) all the way down to the foundation. First, test the moisture level of the subfloor. 78 0 obj <>stream The more specific way to know would be to measure the relative humidity and temperature in your homes air and then plug the numbers into a calculator like this https://www.spikevm.com/calculators/logging/equilibrium.php This will tell you what the MC% should be based on your specific environment. This is the standard in the construction industry. The angle iron will prevent much warping, and I do plan on finishing all sides (and ends). If the subfloor is not acceptable, it can often be overlaid with 1/2 -inch plywood. 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. Here is a link to our website for more information: https://www.wagnermeters.com/shop/orion-950-smart/. Water Level Survey: Are You Smarter Than an Egyptian? Just across the threshold to a white oak floor installed in ~1914 and the MC is 15%->16%. 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. That is way beyond fibre-saturation. 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%. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. can be insulated and heated (insulation is mandatory if heated) require careful planning and . In your area, wood that has been in an environment to a duration of time would be between 6-11%. 10 14% moisture content is too high. 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. Thank you. 25-30 - Actual, and often extensive, damage is evident when readings reach this level. Also, please feel free to provide us with the number that you called so we can make sure that all of our phone numbers are printed/posted accurately! I called them back out in August of 2019 because after installing a humidifier and in the prime of humid season, the floors were showing no signs of improvement. Thanks for the the information, very detailed and useful. Its still there and causing stains and scaring inexperienced home inspectors who frighten buyers, but its dormant. info@rlcengineering.com Simply put, the post offers some useful information. You can hardly see the humps except the first pier that popped up . This week, I notice the next pier on the same beam is starting to push up, warping the floor. Looking back at pictures of the build process, they brought the hardwood bundles into my home in late October of 2017 and installed them 3 days later. 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. With a Wagner L606, I am getting MC readings 12%->15.5% . Will the reading be accurate? Call 256-318-0982 or, Engineering Inspection Mortgage Companies, Unnecessary Panic! The ceiling in the bedroom above the chimney breast shows signs of damp however doesn't feel damp/moist. And it really helps to pay an HVAC contractor to better seal and insulate the A/C ducts so they dont leak cold air!!! For instance, the subfloor may appear to be dry on the surface, but still have elevated moisture within the panels. This is expensive and its ridiculous. For more information, see our article comparing Pinless Moisture Meters vs. Pin Meters. We appreciate you writing in, best of luck! You may be picking up something behind the sheetrock. The optimal humidity in a home is generally 35%-55% and anything under 20% is actually considered unhealthy, as it dries out the skin. The new wood was brought in in bundles ~2 x 2 x 6 and left that way to acclimate for ~2 weeks. 10? thanks so much in advance. He, of course, said that type of product is insufficient. In your blog I read that furniture for outdoor is dried to a MC between 9 and 14%. The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. 17 and the flooring is at 6 to 7. When questioned, he said because Room is under 200 sq feet it is not a problem. Furniture grade wood is typically dried to a target of 6%-9%. I am planning an under-house excursion tomorrow. If the MC of plywood is above 20%, can it be redried in a kiln or would that harm the glue? All houses now use perimeter foundation so outside contact temperature stays at about 55 F all year. 12% is good for softwoods, but again, it depends on the relative humidity and temperature where the finished product will be kept. 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. Yes, hardwoods such as cherry and walnut should be between 6 and 8% moisture content. "R. 0 WM=8DBaHh10tIKR/OH}X5Kpt'_]4Mfg9@w8~ n$R One sheet of plywood is 25% next to a 2X4 truss reading 17-27%. The joist span tables start with 26 lumber and it goes all the way up to 212. What would be the recommended MC for doors of my new building(under construction)? It is a 2-3 feet wide wet area that drains to a line connected to the city system. Kiln-dried wood usually shows a moisture reading of 10% on the outside and then 25% on the inside. I live in Atascadero CA and had a coastal red oak tree cut down this past summer. I checked it with my new moisture meter and had a reading of between 8-13.5%. Jerry, From a moisture standpoint, water in the basement can over time absorb into your subfloor. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? We also have an Orion 950 moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. That is still quite a wide range. I purchased my newly built home that has to meet all the new energy efficient standards and will be 2 years old this coming month. Will your meters work to find MC levels for composites? for a mere $4900. Please dont pay for a Borate spray unless the buyer wants to pay for it. Also, the glue manufacturer should ideally give you some specifications for max and min moisture content. Logs, siding, shiplap, and T&G must be kiln-dried to stop the wood from shrinking or pulling apart. A moisture meter will help verify. Down pour of rain onto underlayment of attached garage. Here is a link to a calculator and table: http://www.csgnetwork.com/emctablecalc.html. Phil, what are you making with the cedar, and in what type of environment will it be? The difference is the moisture meters measurement error. 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. Leicester, NC 28748 The acceptable moisture levels in basement walls and floors will depend on many factors. If the leaks have damaged the sub floor or joists, call a licensed general contractor for repair. 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. Have I been wrong? A moisture content reading of 25% is borderline to support mold. Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. 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. 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). with the spring thaw, i was one of the lucky ones that got water in my basement. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. Its more important to understand that the wood is kiln-dried down to a certain bell-shaped range of MCs. For severely rotten joists though, you're going to want to remove the rotten section. Im on a grade-level concrete slab, and the water made its way over (under the tiles) to my sink vanity. The floor (under carpet) had long-term water exposure supposedly from a shower in the adjacent bathroom (according to the plumber). Why and how can I say this? Hi Larry, We are a joinery company and we have a project here in UAE which is located in another part of the emirates and the humidity in that area is very high especially during summer because it is near the coastal area. Different wood? Here current humidity is 76%. However, many building materials may have been dried down to about 15% moisture content. Using South Carolina Residential Construction Standards to Solve Problems, Website by Integritive Web Design :: Asheville, NC. It is also a good idea to use a moisture meter after the three weeks just to make sure. of water/day/1000 sq. There is over three foot of block above grade around the entire house. Understanding the effects moisture has on timber, as well as acceptable moisture levels in wood flooring, will keep your timber floor looking pristine throughout its lifetime. 7. It causes decay of the wood structure. It will continue to absorb and release moisture until it comes into balance with the surrounding air. What You Should Know About Septic Systems, Interior Slab Foundation Settlement: Evaluations and Cost of Repair. Add 1 to this value and round up the answer to the next whole number: 7.40625 + 1 = 8.40625 9 floor joists. The normal moisture content of wood (or EMC) varies from 7%-19% depending on the RH in the air. 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. Thanks for the question. Thank you. Condensation present on the . Substrates must be protected by: We really cant overstress the importance of taking plenty of moisture readings. As with any wood product, the environment where the finished product will Live will determine the correct moisture content. This summer I milled several 1.25 boards from a fir log that had been cut around 10 years ago. The maximum subfloor moisture level for solid strip flooring or wide-width solid flooring is either 12% or 13%, depending on the manufacturer. My question for you is: after a smallish unheated underground space (similar to a basement, i.e. Once wood is dried below about 28% WMC, water is not available to support decay, unless the wood is exposed to liquid water. board will move twice as much as a 4-in. With a degree in Computer Systems, Larry is involved in both hardware and software development of wood moisture measurement solutions. (As a percentage) Basically the chimney breast (in bedroom and downstairs room) has been measured with a digital moisture meter and states 'OL' on the display, the surrounding walls measure between 0.4% and 1.2%. I would not recommend re-drying finished plywood. this is an interesting read I landed upon as I was searching for MC in wood items. Soil is almost always damp. The excess moisture source should be corrected immediately, and monitored until the WMC returns to the 12-16 range. Hi Larry, thanks for the great knowledge sharing. They delivered the wood one day, and began to stain and install it over the next two days, finishing on the 6th day. Wagner Meters has a couple of resources to help you determine the moisture content more suited to your outdoor environment. Hi Moisture Experts, My house is 25 years old located in Oregon City OR (near Portland). What do you recommend the reader to be at before insulation and drywall on new construction? Moisture content of 11.5% for the oak is a little high for furniture grade hardwoods. Best of luck with your project. Any suggestions .thanks. To do so: Make two vertical cuts through the joist a safe distance away from each end of the rotten section. Question for the expert: i recently replaced a toilet that had a leaky wax ring. Good moisture content for hardwoods is 6% to 9% moisture. Heres how it works. The general process for using pin-type moisture meters is as follows. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. summary Wood must always be allowed to acclimate or come into balance with the RH of the end-use location. 18 years ago the moist content (MC) of the beams and joist was 24% in an area of the crawl space that floods in spring. 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. Signs Of Moisture In Basement. Brilliant article. Be notified when an answer is posted. Normal moisture content of wood ranges from 7% to 19%. This can be a problem once installed in furniture or a floor. Good luck. Then placing his pin meter on the screws. A moisture content that is too high will also slow the cure of the SLu and can affect the subsequent floor finish. If a board reads 100% (Difficult to measure accurately) then the weight of the water equals the weight of that wood. )IS0i 1P *V? U? There are joists that display splitting. If the middle is wet, you may experience cracking/splitting if dried too fast. 12% 16% Readings in this range are common to lumber during construction, air dried lumber and healthy residential substructures (beneath first floor in crawl spaces). SE, Huntsville, AL 35802. The solution seems to be drying the wood longer & bettter, to a lower measured MC. While the surface of the floor might feel dry, there could be higher moisture inside. 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: 24 and 26 framing studs should measure 19% moisture content or less. The size of the lumber used for floor joists is the single greatest determining factor in terms of how far a joist can span. Hi Larry, So a friend of mine has some pine and oak blabs at MC levels of (oak 11.5%) and Pine 13-14%. We dont know if we still should be having a commercial drying process? The cedar I have is now at 12-16%. Hi, in MN where extreme temperatures are very hard on homes. Does it have another common name? If you want, just give me a call at 800-634-9961, ext 225. Percent moisture content in wood is the ratio of the weight of water compared to the overall weight of a piece of wood. Hi Davetta, Youll need to contact a local mold inspection company that is certified. To the right, 13.2% in the same distance and also drops to ~ 8% after. I recommend one of our Orion models: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. We are manufacturer of eng wood flooring. Wood Moisture Content (WMC) is often used as an indicator of decay problems in houses. 1 4 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. Below 12% Readings in this range are common to kiln or oven dried woods and furniture grades of wood, and represent dry conditions. I-joists are comprised of top and bottom flanges, which resist bending, united with webs, which provide outstanding shear resistance. I removed an of the foam insulation. Headers, columns, and joists are rotting. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. Based on common guidelines or recommendations, the acceptable moisture levels for wood are as follows: Wood objects used indoors: 6-8% Wood flooring: 6-9% Construction: 9-14% Keep in mind that a wood's acceptable moisture level will depend primarily on how it will be finally used and the average RH where it will be finally used. 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. Wall Corners-Perpendicular within 1/4" in 10'. %PDF-1.2 % Second, would the same pine slab, would it be okay to use for a side table or Kitchen island. Thank you, In wood products manufacturing, 6-8% is pretty much the norm, at least in North America. With a concrete subfloor you should use a digital hygrometer, which needs to be left in place for at least 24 hours. This weight difference is then used to calculate the woods original moisture content. Should you check moisture levels on a trailor floor on a massive rainy day? Yes, our moisture meters read MDF. 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. Home Moisture Meters Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content. 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. Best, Kyle. Too wet and you get fuzzing. Do you have a suggestion? I am not aware of a standard moisture content for packaging food or any other product. Be sure to acclimate the wood to desired EMC of the interior environment before you use it. Take the readings in at least 20 spots per 1,000 square feet of flooring and average the results. There are two main types of wood moisture meters, pin-type and pinless. Now the fungus goes dormant. If the humidity is a constant 76% then the wood will equilibrate between 14 and 15% moisture content. Im planning on using some of it to build a new front door for the house and was wondering what MC I should be shooting for. This app will tell you the percent moisture content that a given temperature and humidity will equilibrate to. Were in northern Indiana, humid summers long cold winters. Thank you. In this case, what Built in # that I can use to measure flooring. I cant speak for other pinless meters but our Wagner meters are not sensitive to the temperatures you indicated. WME? Learn how your comment data is processed. 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. Sometimes moving the air around is enough to remove moisture and dry surfaces. I think that I know my own answer, but thought I might reach out for some possible better insight. So the question is are those burrs or fuzzing on the edges?, Wed love to have you give us a call to discuss which moisture meter is best for you. Call 256-318-0982 or contact us today. Above 90% RH or 20% WMC, mold can grow on the wood. This article is really helpful. Thanks in advance for your input! The purpose of the vapor barrier is to keep moisture away from materials that expand and contract. The engineered wood floor appears ok. Thanks. I dialed the 800 number for Wagner meters and all I got was two sales pitches for a Life alert type device. The humidity in the room is currently 40! Box 1088, Roseburg, OR 97470 Tel. endstream endobj 79 0 obj <>stream Most interior wood is in this range. Thanks for the question. Waterproof membrane . The door is NE facing and protected from direct Sun light and rain by a porch roof. Concrete floors. A subfloor needs to be clean, dry, level and structurally sound.

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