1. Installation and In-site Issues
The project installed oak herringbone flooring, completed this May. To prevent deformation, the team used a glue-down method, evenly spreading adhesive on the floor before laying the planks, ensuring they bonded securely to the surface. This method effectively restricted the flooring from warping.
As shown in the photos, there is no noticeable deformation. However, there is bubbling and lifting of the coating layer on both the long and short edges of the flooring pieces. The bubbling not only affects the floor’s appearance but also risks expanding further, leading to coating peeling, moisture infiltration, and ultimately compromising the service lifetime.
2. Cause Analysis
A contact-based wood moisture meter showed that the flooring pieces had a moisture content above 15%, with some areas reaching 20%, indicating that the wood absorbed moisture and swelled. Localized water accumulation may also have contributed.
The installation coincided with the region’s rainy season, resulting in high ambient humidity, which caused the flooring pieces to absorb moisture and swell. However, the glue-down installation restricted overall deformation, causing expansion to occur only in the top layer. Moreover, the floorboards were installed too tightly, leaving insufficient expansion gaps. This led to top layer expansion and compression between adjacent boards, further causing the coating to bubble.
3. Solutions and Preventive Measures
Local Repair
If the bubbling area is small, use sandpaper to gently sand down the bubbled parts, then reapply a layer of similar lacquer.
- Revarnishing
If the bubbling is extensive or the issue is severe, it may be necessary to sand off the entire coating layer and then reapply finishing.
- Humidity Control
Ensure that the room’s humidity is kept at an appropriate level, especially during the rainy season. Use air conditioning or dehumidifiers to maintain optimal humidity levels.
- Professional Repair
For complex cases, consulting a professional for inspection and repair ensures the issue is fully and properly resolved.
To prevent this, installers should leave sufficient expansion gaps or use spacers between the flooring pieces to maintain proper spacing. In daily use, take precautions against water and moisture, avoid prolonged water exposure on the floor, and maintain good indoor ventilation.
