My question for you is: after a smallish unheated underground space (similar to a basement, i.e. The moisture content overall is almost always below 20%. We will be building fir windows. Why Do So Many Homes Have Cracks in Their Brick Veneer? The joists can be longer or shorter as required by space and size, and are typically spaced at either 450mm or 600mm apart. 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. On a hot, humid summer day, the air venting into the crawl space could be as much as 75% relative humidity and 85 degrees. For example, a 26 Southern Pine joist can span 12'. I want to use it to build a table and will be moving it to the location where I will work on it shortly. 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. I wanted to talk to someone at Wagner about moisture guages and is there a dealer near Chattanooga, TN. This can be a problem once installed in furniture or a floor. First, test the moisture level of the subfloor. There will most likely be some shrinkage, so if possible, choose the clearest boards possible to lessen the possibility of any major cracking. Soil is almost always damp. 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. Do you have a suggestion? 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?? As this moisture condenses on the floor system, it wets the wood. Wood used indoors will eventually stabilize at 8-14% moisture content; outdoors at 12-18%. These include warping, cracking, buckling, diminished wood strength, corrosion of fasteners, and even fungal growth. Keep monitoring it. Thank you. As the humidity increases, the MC increases, causing the wood to expand. The wood and varnish appear otherwise pristine, uncracked and not bubbled or clouded in any way. One type of wood moisture meter. Stopping the moisture is much cheaper and easier than repairing the structure. Thanks! It is not fair to ask the seller of this home to pay some pest control firm to spray Borate on the floor system. I had a redwood deck, and they replaced it with Douglas fir (without my approval, but thats another issue). Any suggestions to this being possible to correct? This must be done before attempting to dry out the wood. Two weeks is sufficient for softwood. In an air conditioned house the wood floor. Its still there and causing stains and scaring inexperienced home inspectors who frighten buyers, but its dormant. In their warehouse, and perhaps partly also in the container. In general, 12% moisture or above is too wet to install flooring. Continue reading MC in the home. Lets go over the basics of each, Oven dry testing is the oldest method for measuring the moisture content of wood. board will move 3 times the amount as a 4-in. That is still quite a wide range. if not, can you tell me why? The ceiling in the bedroom above the chimney breast shows signs of damp however doesn't feel damp/moist. Mobeen, If a wooden sample gains moisture, then the sample will increase in size. Will your meters work to find MC levels for composites? 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. The optimal humidity in a home is generally 35%-55% and anything under 20% is actually considered unhealthy, as it dries out the skin. ie SW=Starting weight, TW=Target weight, using T%=Target percentage My calculation ( T% X SW = TW). Request Answer. summary Acceptable wood moisture readings on a meter normally range from 6% to 8% for woodworking. 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%. The levels were between 20 and 23%. Since Im drying them outside, being in AK I would like to work with them if possible before the long moist winter. 800-347-7260 Fax. The water was there for at most 6 hours, then we vacuumed it all and started the process of drying. The company they hired measured 47% in the wood and declares that this must be ripped out and replaced. Sometimes moving the air around is enough to remove moisture and dry surfaces. I live in michigan (humid summer, long cold winter). I hope that helps. I have a question, I have moisture in the crawl space, we insulated the crawl with closed cell, cannot get the osb subfloor below. Both times, the tables were flawless, but after 2-3 weeks in their new home both table tops had major crack issues. 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%. Here current humidity is 76%. I live in Atascadero CA and had a coastal red oak tree cut down this past summer. This should be stuck into your wooden subfloor. Mold growth can be limited if the MC of wood can be kept below 20%. This type of floor-leveling is DIY-friendly and costs approximately $1.50 per square foot when applied 1/8-inch thick. Signs Of Moisture In Basement. I would think it would vary depending on the contents. 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? 17 and the flooring is at 6 to 7. Many thanks for your advice, really appreciate it! of water/day/1000 sq. Then placing his pin meter on the screws. Your subfloor moisture level should be no greater than seven to nine percent when you are installing flooring. My house was built in 1927. With regard to mold growing on your furniture, I would have to defer you back to the shipping company as they have more experience dealing with these types of issues. The next sheet is 21.5% adjacent to 2X4. All houses now use perimeter foundation so outside contact temperature stays at about 55 F all year. Why You Should Use Relative Humidity (RH) Testing, Flooring, Millwork, Furniture & Cabinet Manufacturers, How to Choose a Moisture Measurement System for Your Sawmill Buying Guide, Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content, Free Download 5 Ways Pinless Moisture Meters Save You Time and Money. Remove Moisture From The Air - If your crawl space has a lot of ventilation, you should be able to set up a large fan in the opening of the crawl space and leave it to run for 10 to 12 hours. To make sure the wood is properly dried, he always uses a moisture meter before working with it. Using a moisture meter before painting can help you determine the moisture content of the wood. 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. The water wasnt properly dried and organic growth was discovered by previous owner. Let's repeat that again. These are the "safest" conditions for most types of woodbetween 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 30% to 50% RH. Lay the panels perpendicular to floor joists, allowing 1/4 inch of space between panels and the wall. board will move twice as much as a 4-in. wood using pins while the MDF uses pinless? So, to sum up, Moisture in crawlspaces is bad. the concrete was completely dry, no standing water. Before installing plywood underlayment, ensure that the existing flooring is thoroughly vacuumed, free from debris, and stripped of wax. Yes, hardwoods such as cherry and walnut should be between 6 and 8% moisture content. For a wooden subfloor you will need to use a 2-pronged moisture meter. I had a quick looked around the crawl space and didnt notice any structure damage. It causes decay of the wood structure. You will want closer to 6% in the drier climates and 9% MC for the more humid climates. Thank you for the helpful article. I would like to load eucalyptus and pine wood logs to India . Please provide us with regular updates. The thickness of flooring joists themselves will be determined by what's going on top of them. I live in Charlotte, NC. Wonder if they are trying to cover themselves. Thank You. It is important to have the same temperature and humidity during those 2 weeks that will be maintained after installation. 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. Notches at the end of the joist should be no deeper than 1/4 the depth. For more information, see our article comparing Pinless Moisture Meters vs. Pin Meters. Do you think that heated floor actually help to dry or do they make things worse and more humid! 2013-10-14 03:14:29. I found your moisture levels column through a search for good wood for low humidity. You wrote that 15% humidity may induce mold? Thanks for the question. What do you recommend the reader to be at before insulation and drywall on new construction? 25-30 - Actual, and often extensive, damage is evident when readings reach this level. The Building Code states that houses must be built so that a 50-year flood will not enter the building. ft., based on a standard AStM F-1869 (Calcium Chloride) test, or 80% rh, based on AStM F-2170. I also applied Boracare (boron) that has stopped minor beetle damage. Hello Brian, I am a moisture meter expert, not a woodworking expert but from your description, the problem points to the conditions, not the wood or joinery. This level of moisture is unlikely in a joist which is independent of a wall or under a water leak. Spruce isnt a hardwood so Im assuming I could get away with a shorter dry time. We havent gone any further since the condition was found so close to us purchasing the home. The thinner veneers wont have much bearing on the reading. Substructures with WMC in this range may show decay or rot in floor joist, sills, and subflooring. The amount of swelling or shrinkage depends on how much the . Unless something is so out of whack shimming in back of the sheetrock won't suffice it's OK here. These home inspectors are insecure and inexperienced. Furniture maker Lonnie Bird weighs in, I dont want the wood to shrink after I use it because the wood will warp or split.. The average RH of the environment where the wood will be used. Should I remove more foam to be sure. Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. But this wetness is only surficial. With a Wagner L606, I am getting MC readings 12%->15.5% . Its not growing or feeding on the wood. One of the beauties of spar is that it allows the wood to move quite a bit, while still retaining good adhesion. Standard moisture contents for hardwoods are 6% 9% MC. Moisture levels in your crawl space that go beyond 70% lead to mold growth and health concerns. Although some movement can be expected between 6% and 9%, wood flooring can shrink or swell more dramatically outside this range. It seems to me the supplier is drying the Teak to 14% because that is what is needed in Indonesia. Meanwhile, the reference scale can be used to provide qualitative moisture assessments in other building materials. A moisture content reading of 25% is borderline to support mold. During the summer, moisture content readings above . This is expensive and its ridiculous. Even with lower temperatures, the ideal range for wood keeps relative humidity between 55% and 75%. Question for the expert: i recently replaced a toilet that had a leaky wax ring. Even at this, the estimate would be the high end of MC% prior to shipment, but only rough estimate. Perhaps try to seal the vapor barrier better around the piers. 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. I may have missed this already but I have a few quick questions. If the humidity is a constant 76% then the wood will equilibrate between 14 and 15% moisture content. Summers are hot and dry while winters can be cool. Your ideal MC will also depend on the outdoor humidity levels. Your table may have been a little too high in moisture, hence the crack as it dried slightly in the drier environment. The electrical current will then move from pin to pin and measure the resistance encountered. %PDF-1.5 % I am not aware of a standard moisture content for packaging food or any other product. The chart below will clear things up. Every home's foundation repair needs are different based on soil type, type of foundation problem, and climate. 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. The purpose of the vapor barrier is to keep moisture away from materials that expand and contract. Have I been wrong? It is possible, in some species, to have a moisture content higher than 100 percent. So we are seeking redress, but there are jacks present underneath the home which the home inspector didnt report either and didnt know if this was extra support for the water heater or what. 15% is too high, at least for hardwoods. Wood is hygroscopic. Characteristic of this wood easy to absorb of water and have large open pore. The normal outside equilibration moisture content (EMC) for Indiana is anywhere from 13% to 16%. SE, Huntsville, AL 35802. Here's a good rule of thumb: Notches should be no deeper than 1/6 the depth of the joist. Colorado is cold and dry. Call 256-318-0982 or, Engineering Inspection Mortgage Companies, Unnecessary Panic! The home inspectors working for fees today seem to have one primary motive in mind: to cover their liabilities. Thanks for any help you can provide! Fungus loves wet wood. Thanks Phil. Hello Enjoyed the article. BD-2100 Pin Meter. Below 12% Readings in this range are common to kiln or oven dried woods and furniture grades of wood, and represent dry conditions. The Las Vegas EMC of wood or lumber ranges from 4.0% to 8.5%. About 5/16 penetration into the wood measures 8% using pins only. I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. The humidity in the room is currently 40! Copyright - RLC Engineering, LLC. 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. Thanks Mark, The EMC outside and the wood should be the same. Accuaracy is of course more important.. The shipping time is approximately 45 day in a 40 container to the west coast . These are slabs roughly 2 thick. Your reading of 12.5% tells me it is workable. Joists that sit below end matched joints must be at least 35mm thick. The boards should be no wider than 6 inches and installed on a 45-degree angle. . 3. They delivered the wood one day, and began to stain and install it over the next two days, finishing on the 6th day. For instance, the subfloor may appear to be dry on the surface, but still have elevated moisture within the panels. Floors-1/2" in 12' or 3/16" in 4'. If your subfloor is a wood product, make sure the reading is less than 20% on the moisture meter. Since your subfloor may be concrete or wood, you should make sure you choose a meter that is specially designed for the specific element you are testing. this is an interesting read I landed upon as I was searching for MC in wood items. Fresh cut trees can have a wood moisture content over 200%, while completely dried wood will have a wood moisture content of 0%. The excess moisture source must be immediately corrected, and the situation carefully monitored until the WMC returns to the 12-16 range. Indoor humidity is around 50%, indoor temps around 70 degrees. 16% 20% Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. Whats the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Engineering Inspection? Great article! After reading your article and following comments, my question is : How much does the finish of a wood project for indoor use affect the moisture content? My last Wagner was appropriated by the individual who appropriated other tools out of my old sho. https://www.wagnermeters.com/wood-moisture-meters/. He wants to install his companys system, seal all external openings around connections, etc. Mold starts to grow in the mid to high 20 percent moisture contents. z .XWb*QGF^v4MQ`_dRw{\;\'03Uhx-SeJlc!m\8X^,Z/hU5Ewdzz:`nZ!(7reWD4X. Longer pins with insulated shafts are designed for the purpose. Once wood is dried below about 28% WMC, water is not available to support decay, unless the wood is exposed to liquid water. I wanted to know if is there any standard which specifies the acceptable range of moisture content for wood used in packaging industry like pine wood. Above 90% RH or 20% WMC, mold can grow on the wood. 12% is good for softwoods, but again, it depends on the relative humidity and temperature where the finished product will be kept. If the wood is covered by a material like MDF or other, do we take 2x the measurements? 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. The other was for a $100 retail gift card. 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. I cant speak for other pinless meters but our Wagner meters are not sensitive to the temperatures you indicated. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? Just press the scanning plate against the woods surface, turn on the meter, and receive the reading. Like all wood materials, I-joists are susceptible to moisture. Other signs of high moisture readings include surface mold, evidence of water flows in the crawl space, evidence of water stains or evaporation from foundation walls and columns, evidence of condensation on ducts and evidence of water drops impacting the soil under ducts. You can hardly see the humps except the first pier that popped up . What is the optimal MC of the fir stock for construction of the windows? We have a free app called WoodH2O for Android or iPhone. As far as the oil finish, the manufacturer of the oil will specify the correct moisture content for an application. Such readings should alert the homeowner to look for a source of excess moisture. Structural Repairs Dont Have to Be a Nightmare! I not sure if this is normal, related to the re-shim or need to install a crawl space dehumidifier to slow the progression? Keep indoor humidity low. Wood is used to clean model railroad tracks. The engineered wood floor appears ok. the curb is built with 3 2/4s stacked on each other. However, this time I was planning to use oil based poly rather than the spar urethane to reduce the amount of yellowing. 2-1/4", the moisture content between the flooring planks and the subfloor should not exceed 2%. The acceptable moisture levels in basement walls and floors will depend on many factors. We have had an abnormally wet spring and part of summer. 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. If a board reads 100% (Difficult to measure accurately) then the weight of the water equals the weight of that wood. 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. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. What are Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood? Where are you located? Hi Larry, thanks for the great knowledge sharing. The subfloor registered from 12% to 17% . If an interior location has an average RH of 40-52%, wood placed there will have an average EMC of 8-9%. For joists where the rot infestation has been thoroughly dealt with: it is acceptable to leave the joist as it is. Your help for resolving this issue would be highly appreciated . My question is regarding finishing. I dialed the 800 number for Wagner meters and all I got was two sales pitches for a Life alert type device. A consistent humidity level of 70 percent will require wood to be about 13 percent moisture content. Thank you. If the middle is wet, you may experience cracking/splitting if dried too fast. 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. If this is confusing, dont worry. 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. We found out that RH at the final location was under 20%. 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. Limit the length of notches to 1/3 of the joist's depth. A floor joist is a horizontal beam, usually made of wood, that is used to support and enclose the flooring above a foundation. Screwed 2x4s parallel into the joists as added support. And would it be normal for the MC to vary from board-to-board and one end of a board to the other? Floor joists are generally 6, 8, 10, or 12 inches in width, with 8 or 10 inches as the most common sizes. Perhaps there is something different about the East and West walls. Your email address will not be published. hello I been getting very sick in my home so I had my manger do a mold and moisture test which came back high level of moisture levels which a contractor wants to take the sub floor up and 2 to 4 inches of the wall but my apartment manger is not releasing to report and hes is saying the spore test didnt pick up any mold spore question is it safe for me and my family to be in the home with high level of moisture in the restroom which the floor have been really soft for over 9 months now as well as the kids bedroom where a pipe burst. Thank you so much for your time and expertise. (EMC) than other pieces of wood, depending on its location. What is the acceptable water/moisture content in cassia bark?- in south east asia. We dont know if we still should be having a commercial drying process? Was told thats not done. Cut in the spring and stacked and dried them over the summer. Hello Folks, I am new to wood turning and do not have a ready supply of dry/seasoned (my wood is green) wood. 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. 0 WM=8DBaHh10tIKR/OH}X5Kpt'_]4Mfg9@w8~ n$R As a result, the normal moisture meter reading for these materials in between 0.5% and 1%. 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? 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. Elaine. Do NOT install the flooring planks until these moisture content levels are achieved. Remember that the meter assumes it is reading timber. This is more likely to occur to occur in lower-grade boards, where knots and uneven grains are already present. He asked if I could double-check the findings of another home inspection company that requested expert advice on some mold/fungus they found in the crawl space of the home. This means that wood intended for interior use in this location should not only be dried to around 6% but should be kept at this moisture content both before and during the manufacturing process. Drying teak hardwood from a humid climate, for use outdoors in a much drier European climate? Ideally Ill wait until reaching final drying but sometimes I need to use wood before that point. Hello I moved into my new home in June of 2018. 2. I think mine is +-3% Is it possible being near the door just means greater humidity and there isnt actually a leak? Because ventilated crawl spaces throughout the Southeast United States allow high humidity and fungus spores to enter the enclosed space beneath the home. 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. Notice that the EMC of the in-use location is the same as the MC: So, using this chart, we know that in an area of the country where the RH inside a home or office is anywhere from 26-32%, both the EMC of the in-use location and the wood moisture content kept in that location will be 6%. how do I determine the mc standard for this material, is it the same as wood or has its own specifications, 2. guide-standards-tolerances.pdf. This means the weight of the water exceeds the weight of the wood by itself. Moisture contents in wood floor joists in houses with moisture problems are exceeding the 20% maximum level for air dried lumber. We have industrial fans going 24/7 to try and dry out the room and also have a dehumidifier running, Ive had the heated floor running in hopes that it could help dry any of the wet wood directly below. The cause that may produce this will be discussed in the section "Biodeteration of flood". endstream endobj 81 0 obj <>stream Congratulations on your new furniture. I think that I know my own answer, but thought I might reach out for some possible better insight. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. These mold spores land on the wet wood and take root. If low WMC readings were obtained during the winter, and other signs of high moisture levels are present, obtain additional readings during the summer. These home inspectors are insecure and inexperienced. All Rights Reserved. Because wood shrinks and warps as it dries, woodworkers want it to be pre-shrunk before they use it. Would it still be 9% for pressure treated wood? Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. The conversion puts the adjusted MC between 9.5 -> 12%. Add 1 to this value and round up the answer to the next whole number: 7.40625 + 1 = 8.40625 9 floor joists. We also ship to other European countries, for dryer country like Spain the EMC could be between 12 and 14. Im hoping this should work. Am I possibly getting false positives? I appreciate you sharing this important information with us at this time. Any advice would be appreciated. Had fans and dehumidifer running for 17 days starting 2 days after leak. Free Webinar The What, Why, and How of Wood Moisture Testing. endstream endobj 80 0 obj <>stream A good moisture content is between 6 9% for Colorado. %PDF-1.2 % One of his own service guys said foundation caps needed to be replaced. Including some high-end species like Rosewood, ebony, Mahogany, White Cedar, Bija Sal, Walnut, Gmelina, etc. Additional care is necessary if laying parallel to the joists and sheet subfloors can sag between the joist. Engineering & Inspection Services, Licensed PE - Alabama & Tennessee, JADE Engineering & Inspection | 5405 Whitesburg Dr. At that point in time, we did not have a conditioned house. The fir windows and exterior doors will be affected by the the exterior and interior RH. Its never constant. They many times cite the need for further evaluations by what they call other so called experts. Would you be able to say anything about the optimal MC range for this specific situation? Concrete floors. 1 4 In general, all wood products will swell with an increase in moisture content and shrink with a decrease in moisture content. Chris. With a degree in Computer Systems, Larry is involved in both hardware and software development of wood moisture measurement solutions. Before installing carpet, you will need to dry the subfloor first. It is a 2-3 feet wide wet area that drains to a line connected to the city system. hj0Ed=h].J-)_q},jR3$\ eH"wCk)E)J8 P.O. RH where they were built is about 29-30%. Therefore, just because the wood is kiln-dried doesnt mean it has lost the ability to absorb moisture. Pinless meters are non-penetrating and read the moisture content via a non-damaging electromagnetic sensor that scans the wood. 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? Great article, thanks for the info. The normal moisture content of wood (or EMC) varies from 7%-19% depending on the RH in the air. Softwoods, such as spruce, can have more moisture. Some wood you buy from a lumber store can be higher than 14% but typically range between 12-14%. Thanks in advance for your input! Sorry that this is so long-winded and I thank you in advance if you are willing to address this question for me. Will the reading be accurate? Call JADE today for a crawlspace inspection and we can give you definitive answers to your crawl space problems! 28% and above Readings in this range are often accompanied by decay damage. )IS0i 1P *V? U? I really appreciate your treatise on this matter. I read your article and really like it. Please commenr? I am having a section of our 3.25 Maple hardwood floor replaced. Hello! It does the same for wood, and is especially hard on softwoods, such as pine or fir. 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.
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