I was wondering the best way to remove a hump from the floor. The floor joists are 24 inches on center and the area of concern is not accessible through the basement (finished area). The hump is not permanent in that on cold dry days it seems like the hump is very low...slight. On hot humid days it raises up almost an inch over a 3 foot span. The basement has a dehumidifier on ALL THE TIME, set at 55% RH.
The flooring above the hump is pergo like and the subfloor is 3/4 inch plywood.
So 2 questions:
1) Is there a quick fix that can be done? 2) Is there a "proper" way to fix this?
Since it seems to raise up more on hot humid days, I'd lower the humidity of the dehumidifer since the problem seems to be one of wood swelling because of high humidity. 55% RH in the basement is too high and will likely lead to mold and mildew growth. Drop down to 40% and see what happens, mold and mildew also will not grow at this RH. Realize the dehumidifier will likely need to run for several days possibly a week to get down to that level and it may need to be emptied every day maybe twice but I believe once it reaches that level you will notice a difference in the floor. It is the easiest and simplest fix at this time. Post back if you find that it doesn't work and others with surely have some suggestions.
Good Luck!
This message has been edited. Last edited by: Simply Me,
Without a portable Xray device I can't take a look under the pergo floor =(. If I didn't have to renovate 2 bathrooms, I would be ripping up the floor right now. Money rears its ugly head yet again.
As for humidity, I was under the impression that basement humidity is good from a range of 45 to 65% RH. That's why I went with 55.
Oh well...is there any more information that you all might need to help out? I can always try to investigate as much a possible.
I suggested that you set your dehumidifier at 40% humidity because I too have dehumidifiers in my basement which are set at 40%. Prior to adding them I did notice a musty smell there but since they have been added and set to this level all odours are gone and haven't returned in 10 years of living here.
In addition, below are sites which deal with RH and mold/mildew which suggest that dehumidifiers be set between 30% & 50% RH. Using this as a guide I set mine at 40%. Our dehumidifiers work basically in the spring when there is a high moisture content in the soil. Not knowing where you live, it may be that you will benefit from the same setting possibly lower because of the higher humidity in the region. This in turn mat overcome some of the problem in your floor. Though as joecaption states it may be something else entirely. However, you have nothing to lose by trying it though it may a problem livable since the problem gets worse with higher humidity. If it doesn't solve the problem seek other solutions which likely involve taking up the floor and making modifications. You might also contact the manufacturer of the floor and seek their advice to solve your problem. They've likely experienced this before and have a solution.
I set the dehumidifier at 45...it usually runs until it gets to 5% lower than the target and goes on when it gets to 5% over the target so that would be a 40-50% range...never over 50% though.
I will keep you updated if this problem resolves. I agree that it seems like an awful lot of movement for just moisture...
something is raising and sagging with the weather here... either in the foundation, the walls, or the floor.
I'd bolt a laser level "circle shooter" to the basement wall someplace, make marks on the appropriate items where the beam hits when the hump isn't there, and when it raises its ugly back again, turn the laser back on, and see what's off the marks. look for your trouble there.
of course, put the thing high enough the pets and kids don't mess with it, and put a sign under it so no adults do, either.
sig: if this is a new economy, how come they still want my old-fashioned money?
The dehumidifier has been running to maintain 45% (40-50% range).
The hump, even though it is 85 degrees and 75% humidity outside, is less prominent but still there. Instead of 1 inch it is now slightly less than 0.5 inch.
The foundation has not moved from what I can see using laser level device.
My best quess would be the pergo has been installed wrong. At least a 1/4 of and inch should have been allowed between the walls and the flooring to allow for expansion and contraction of the flooring. If you have base moulding, pull of a piece and see if your pergo like floor is butting up directly to the wall(during high humidity) if so you will need to remove, cut and replace the last piece.
Work is for people who don't know how to fish. Steve
Posts: 479 | Location: Seattle, Wa | Registered: Oct 01, 2003
Do you know the make of flooring you have in that space that the hump appears in? If so use Google find the maufacturer and contact them and speak to their tech support and seek advice to resolve the issue.
Another thought is who installed the flooring? If you had it installed by a company, contact them and have a rep come by and see the problem and then they came have an installer correct the problem for you. It should be under warranty if it was installed not too long ago.
is possible that the foundation is moving due to the soil drying out and or being wet in texas. when the mud or ground gets wet it swells, when it dries it shrinks. playing havoc on foundations just a thought
Posts: 1285 | Location: i i live in southern mississippi | Registered: Jun 01, 2008
