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Expert: - 1/12/2007


Question
We had our hardwood floors done 3 years ago (buy a local guy) and in the last
month our floors have been making loud cracking noises and it looks like the
wood is separating in places. Do you know what could be causing this???  Help

Alisa Wetzel

Answer
Alisa - thanks for your question!

What do you mean by "done"?  Is the floor new, or was it just refinished?

What kind of wood is it?  What size are the boards (width and thickness)? How old are the floors?  What is the subfloor construction (plywood, 1 x 6, concrete)?

All or any of the above may have some impact on why you're experiencing problems.  Any answers you can give will help me help you.

The fact that this flooring was fine for 3 years is curious!  My first suspicion is a dramatic change in humidity in the house.  It sounds as if the wood has shrunk - did you suddenly stop using a humidifier?

What does your flooring contractor have to say?

Richard Taylor, AIA
www.rtastudio.com
www.rtaplans.com  

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Richard Taylor, AIA

Expertise

Ask me about all aspects of house, remodeling. , and room addition design and construction. Ask me about historic homes, renovation, and restoration. Ask me about materials and techniques, and about how you can get the best value for your design and construction dollar. Ask me how you can make your home a very special place. I can't, however, answer specific structural engineering questions in this forum - that's something you'll need on-site observation for.

Experience

I own a full-service residential architectural firm, and have been designing custom homes, remodelings, and room additions across the country since 1983. Check us out at Richard Taylor Architects and RTA Plans. I have written and been published extensively on the subject of residential architecture.

Organizations
American Institute of Architects, City of Dublin Architectural Review Board, Vice Chair of City of Dublin Planning and Zoning Commission, American Planning Association, Board Member Historic Dublin Business Association, Past Editor of SPLASH (a software forum), Past Editor of Open Directory Project, Assistant Scoutmaster, Boy Scouts of America

Publications
Business First of Columbus, Suburban New Publications, About.com, Cleveland Plain Dealer, Columbus Dispatch Residential Architect Custom Home Architect Remodeling Architect

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Environmental Design (Architecture) Miami University 1983
For more about home design, check out my blog at Sense Of Place and join the conversation on our Facebook Page.

Awards and Honors
2010 Dublin Chamber of Commerce Business Person of the Year

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