acceptable moisture levels in floor joists

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. Please dont pay for a Borate spray unless the buyer wants to pay for it. Structural Repairs Dont Have to Be a Nightmare! Lay the panels perpendicular to floor joists, allowing 1/4 inch of space between panels and the wall. Every home's foundation repair needs are different based on soil type, type of foundation problem, and climate. The process is time-consuming but produces accurate results if followed correctly. It causes decay of the wood structure. 16% 20% Readings in this range indicate a possible elevated level of wood moisture. Insert the pins into the surface of the wood you want to test. Thanks for the email. Thanks for any help you can provide! The wood looks awful, and the staining the did is even worse. Home Moisture Meters Acceptable Moisture Levels in Wood Knowing the Moisture Content. I am not sure if this is pressure treated wood given its an exterior wall and if that affects what these numbers are. I suggested replacing my dehumidifier (Sears brand, bucket collection) which has been inoperable this past year. The conversion puts the adjusted MC between 9.5 -> 12%. I removed an of the foam insulation. After all, the wall is in contact with damp soil. What humidity content should cedar be at for proper gluing. I would like to load eucalyptus and pine wood logs to India . It will be there for a few months before I begin working on it. Thanks for the article, really appreciate the info! Since water conducts electricity and wood doesnt, the dryness of the wood can be determined by the amount of resistance to an electrical current. I will get further testing from those not involved. Can I a cut them first, then glue them once they are dryer? Keep air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. What can we do to get the row products closer in moisture content, we are currently using fans, We are in northern lower Michigan I am the general contractor for the house, and want to avoid any problems, would love to talk to you on the phone, my number is 9894647248, Mark Skiba, This is a great site about moisture content. Thats a big difference. 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%. Sorry that this is so long-winded and I thank you in advance if you are willing to address this question for me. . The new wood was brought in in bundles ~2 x 2 x 6 and left that way to acclimate for ~2 weeks. The cedar I have is now at 12-16%. The sink vanity is made from typical laminated particle board, and Ive been trying to dry it in place using a dehumidifier and sealing the area off. It depends on the size of the project, but anytime you put a waterborne urethane on the wood you are adding moisture to your project. 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. The purpose of acclimating is to allow the flooring to equalize to the surrounding conditions, no matter how large the room is. As it dries, you should expect slight changes in width and length. A 212 joist of the same species and quality can span nearly 25'. Toilet overflowed and moisture meter is reading 30% in worst area. 28% and above Readings in this range are often accompanied by decay damage. We will be building fir windows. One of the beauties of spar is that it allows the wood to move quite a bit, while still retaining good adhesion. A 10% moisture content reading means that 10% of a wood samples weight is due to water in the wood. This will drastically speed up the drying process. There are two main ways of measuring wood moisture content: oven-dry testing and moisture meter testing. Pin-type meters use penetrating electrodes and measure the woods moisture content using electrical resistance. Is it possible to get a 99.9% moisture reading (using a Cassain GM-200 hydrometer) on a particle board floor which looks and feels completely dry? Be on the lookout for flooring failures such as swelling, buckling, cupping, etc. The air vents stay closed year round. This week, I notice the next pier on the same beam is starting to push up, warping the floor. Perhaps try to seal the vapor barrier better around the piers. If the moisture content of the product is well outside the range of optimal MC, the wood flooring should not be accepted because it will lead to shrinkage, bowing, cupping, and other physical problems. The same study showed a 40% loss in joint strength and concluded that a 20% MC may significantly compromise shear resistance of exterior walls. Do you think its to early to start working with it.If so how many yrs will it take to get to proper mc so i can work with it. I found your moisture levels column through a search for good wood for low humidity. Post and beam constructions don't have to be kiln-dried but should be air-dried. Hi Larry, just finished a black Walnut dining room table back in November. The wood has been kiln dried and packed in corrugate. Hi Larry, So a friend of mine has some pine and oak blabs at MC levels of (oak 11.5%) and Pine 13-14%. Did the Contractor mention anything about the structural strength of the joists? The Building Code states that houses must be built so that a 50-year flood will not enter the building. in other hardwood areas that wasnt close to the water, was measuring about 16-19%. (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%. The solution seems to be drying the wood longer & bettter, to a lower measured MC. Where floor s have been covered by previous floor coverings acceptable values are up to 3.5% and 80% in-slab RH. We had boards that were also cracking/splitting and other places where small pinholes were showing up. Once the wood samples weight stops changing, its weight is compared to what it was before the drying process began. 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%. Great article! In this case, what Built in # that I can use to measure flooring. Readings can be elevated if there is a stud directly behind the sheetrock. Which Orion moisture meter model would you suggest for my application? Down pour of rain onto underlayment of attached garage. A consistent humidity level of 40 percent will require wood to be about 8 percent moisture content. Waterproof membrane . Effects of Moisture on I-Joists and LVL April 2007 P.O. Thanks for the question. The average RH of the environment where the wood will be used. Additional care is necessary if laying parallel to the joists and sheet subfloors can sag between the joist. As a general rule, with geographic exceptions, wood flooring performs best when the interior environment is controlled to stay within an RH range of 30% to 50% and a temperature range of 60 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Good moisture content for hardwoods is 6% to 9% moisture. At this home, cool objects include the air conditioning ductwork, the ground and the overlying wood floor system, which is exposed to very cool temperatures due to air conditioning duct leakage. can be laid with falls and set downs. Since the cold weather has come on, the organic growth has gone dormant, but a contractor noticed joists with distinctive moisture content where there are definitive separations between dry and wet looking wood. Perhaps better drainage around your house will do the trick or treat. 9Chrv;plt[nh%:fOl8e^5e cM(?=6?y8{6uZkpz[TgLXD9feUm.L;l7:5C:hf=tE&U[&8 ^ wu*Vz*##;PKk? What would be the recommended MC for doors of my new building(under construction)? At that point in time, we did not have a conditioned house. Required fields are marked *. A moisture content that is too high will also slow the cure of the SLu and can affect the subsequent floor finish. Avoid unnecessary moisture exposure of all wood components by enclosing the frame against adverse weather as soon as feasible. We found out that RH at the final location was under 20%. Installers should also measure the moisture in wood subfloors and concrete slabs as they can also affect wood flooring. Any time water can be absorbed into a material such as wood, drywall etc, its always a good idea to check for excessive moisture, especially if you suspect a leak. ( 55 days transit by sea) What should be the moisture content while loading in Containers? What is the optimal MC of the fir stock for construction of the windows? You must be careful with a thick slab once you cut it. Retain this information with your records. Moisture contents in wood floor joists in houses with moisture problems are exceeding the 20% maximum level for air dried lumber. Had fans and dehumidifer running for 17 days starting 2 days after leak. moisture meter testing a floor joist In this image we measure a reading of 37% in this floor joist. My meter tells me anything above 12% is wet but I cannot find any source of leaking or signs of water. BD-2100 Pin Meter. Freshly cut wood has a lot of moisture in it. I cant speak for the home inspector who has raised concerns, or what his experience level is, but I can assure you that the floor joists beneath this home are no different than 90% of the floor joists I have inspected over the past three decades. What is the acceptable water/moisture content in cassia bark?- in south east asia. Live in Tn. Ive been following your in depth blog on moisture meters for around 1 year now. I have Suar wood from Indonesia and want use to indoor furniture, how range the Moisture Content allowance for this wood. This type of floor-leveling is DIY-friendly and costs approximately $1.50 per square foot when applied 1/8-inch thick. 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. The interior was 3/4 BW the tables dimensions were 40x 70 . Add 1 to this value and round up the answer to the next whole number: 7.40625 + 1 = 8.40625 9 floor joists. There are areas where organic growth was very active to cause deep, black discolorization. 2nd question, will lacquer on surface of flooring affect the reading. Joists that sit below end matched joints must be at least 35mm thick. RH where they were built is about 29-30%. One type of wood moisture meter. Hello Enjoyed the article. This is more likely to occur to occur in lower-grade boards, where knots and uneven grains are already present. Furniture maker Lonnie Bird weighs in, I dont want the wood to shrink after I use it because the wood will warp or split.. Some wood you buy from a lumber store can be higher than 14% but typically range between 12-14%. Wood Rot in Crawl Spaces: Whats That Smell in My House. The acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber are in the range of 6% to 8% for interior and 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. 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. If low WMC readings were obtained during the winter, and other signs of high moisture levels are present, obtain additional readings during the summer. >V@Ica4R%f%l&/R*liDqx/nB*?1MH}Su>VeyZ3?>vMLqcwY^U. Does that seem normal. These are typical readings for exterior wood. Wiki User. Should it be less? One of our new line of moisture meters will help locate areas of high moisture, if it still exists. Damn those shop classes I didnt take. Even with lower temperatures, the ideal range for wood keeps relative humidity between 55% and 75%. We also have an Orion 950 moisture meter that will automatically give you EMC (Equilibrium Moisture Content) and other useful statistics. For most areas of the United States, acceptable moisture levels of wood and lumber can be in the range of 9% to 14% for exterior wood or for building envelope components within constructed assemblies. Question: Just to make sure that you get accurate moisture measurements, has your moisture meter been checked for calibration? I have 1 1/2 thick cherry boards that I had milled from a tree in my yard last fall. I am planning an under-house excursion tomorrow. Doesnt sound like this has been a problem in the past. Your email address will not be published. Actually floors account for 15% of building heat loss depending on construction. Thank you for the helpful article. If the MC of plywood is above 20%, can it be redried in a kiln or would that harm the glue? The best way to do this is to use an accurate moisture meter. 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Jerry, From a moisture standpoint, water in the basement can over time absorb into your subfloor. Water was coming out of this outlet and onto the floor? Other than causing structural damage, too much water can result in mold growth. The water was there for at most 6 hours, then we vacuumed it all and started the process of drying. The house was not in the flood area however they did receive 20 inches of rain. 20% 28% Readings in this range indicate that conditions are border-line for decay. The ideal moisture content will depend on the humidity indoors. I get some water seepage through an exterior wall at basement floor level as a result of heavy rain. Summers are hot and dry while winters can be cool. Drying equipment removed 3 days ago. Over a year ago, I re-shim all the piers with metal shims. Its not growing or feeding on the wood. Having performed multiple (>500) soil moisture and density Sieve and Proctor, so I am well versed in moisture calculations (both add and subtract). This weight difference is then used to calculate the woods original moisture content. I live in michigan (humid summer, long cold winter). Any suggestions to this being possible to correct? Yes, it is possible to have a moisture content reading of 99.9%. The fir stock was originally KDd to around 8% but has been covered and stored outside for over a year and currently MC is around 12%. 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? 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. %PDF-1.2 % We dont know if we still have leaks? First of all, it's normal for a below-grade concrete block wall in contact with the soil to have a high moisture content. I recommend one of our Orion models: https://www.wagnermeters.com/moisture-meters/. within two percentage points of the EMC where the wood is going to be used. 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. at one spot, its 40%. I installed a sump pump and 6 mil vapor barrier, but the barrier is not sealed around piers and the ground is moist under the barrier all year. So if I understood the article right and not sure that I did. Thank you for your very informative knowledge about all of the items on this page. I cant speak for other pinless meters but our Wagner meters are not sensitive to the temperatures you indicated. Step 1: Check the Floor. I had it milled into 2.25 slabs and I stacked it on a deck area. Softwoods typically have higher moisture content than hardwoods. Hello I moved into my new home in June of 2018. I am based in The Netherlands. My house is 24 years old. Your ideal MC will also depend on the outdoor humidity levels. WMC of framing members in a crawl space will usually be lowest in late winter and highest in late summer. Im not sure I can really answer this question. A good moisture content is between 6 9% for Colorado. I had a quick looked around the crawl space and didnt notice any structure damage. Your help for resolving this issue would be highly appreciated . Im down to ~13-19% MC near floor level, based on a cheapo moisture meters readings. During the increased average temperatures of spring and summer, timber moisture content reduces to more acceptable levels. 800-634-9961, or email sales@wagnermeters.com. With the WoodH2O-app I could deduct the EMC for The Netherlands would be between 15 and 16. As a result, the normal moisture meter reading for these materials in between 0.5% and 1%. 2013-10-14 03:14:29. This must be done before attempting to dry out the wood. The next sheet is 21.5% adjacent to 2X4. Spruce isnt a hardwood so Im assuming I could get away with a shorter dry time. Second, would the same pine slab, would it be okay to use for a side table or Kitchen island. I not sure if this is normal, related to the re-shim or need to install a crawl space dehumidifier to slow the progression? 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? I never obtained a moisture reading above 16%. Different wood? However, the ideal humidity range in some climates may be higher or lower. i want to make a headboard from it. 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. Were so sorry for the inconvenience. It's a direct proportion: an 8-in. Great article, thanks for the info. This is for furniture-grade hardwoods. You should be able to specify a lower moisture content. I have some black walnut and cherry that Ive milled and want to make some charcuterie, cheese, bread boardsetc with, would the 6 8% dryness apply to this or what would you recommend? When exposed to a constant RH, the moisture content of wood or lumber will come to equilibrium with its environment, resulting in an EMC for that species of a wood-based composite. Ceilings account for 35%, walls - 25% and windows 25%. This pin-type moisture meter is one of Delmhorst's most popular models. i also drilled into the wood every few inches, several inches deep with a typical drill bit. 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. One of his own service guys said foundation caps needed to be replaced. However, it Im looking for the % number that will be my upper boundary for oil application Would 12% be ok? Copyright - RLC Engineering, LLC. Both times, the tables were flawless, but after 2-3 weeks in their new home both table tops had major crack issues. Divide that difference by the sum of the on-center spacing of the floor joists: 118.5" / 16" = 7.40625. A floor joist is a horizontal beam, usually made of wood, that is used to support and enclose the flooring above a foundation. Any input would be most appreciated. Here is a link to our moisture meters, thermo-hygrometer, and Smart Logger. The MC varies from 7% 13.5% around the exterior door on dry days and 10%-16% during rains. There are two main types of wood moisture meters, pin-type and pinless. If your subfloor is a wood product, make sure the reading is less than 20% on the moisture meter. Whether youre a woodworker making cabinets, a wood flooring professional installing hardwood floors, or if you use wood in construction, wood moisture content (MC) should be always on your mind. The size of the lumber used for floor joists is the single greatest determining factor in terms of how far a joist can span. 2-1/4", the moisture content between the flooring planks and the subfloor should not exceed 2%. Its more important to understand that the wood is kiln-dried down to a certain bell-shaped range of MCs.

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