Splitting Boards

Patty

I recently gutted my home and had hardwood, prefinished floors installed. Now, I'm noticing a few of the boards are splitting lengthwise. What do you think is causing this? Did they place them too tightly to properly absorb expansing/contraction? Anyone have this happen to them?

Glasshousebltr

Check for face nails near or about the splits. Ya might have to look close, they may have doped the hole.

What type of hardwood?
How long ago?
What did the underlayment look like before install?
Did they use felt under?

Bob

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Bob

Patty

The wood is oak, it was done 6 months ago, the underlayment is plywood, and no felt was used. They have already been back to remove two boards in my living room and now I just discovered another one splitting in the kitchen. The contractor said it was a manufacturer's defect. I think he just wants to pass the buck.

What does "doped the hole" mean, Bob?

Glasshousebltr

Dope the hole?........They was smokin crack!......just kidding.

Wood puddy and countersink the nail.

Bob

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Bob

Glasshousebltr

If they drove a nail through oak without air or a pre drilled hole, that could be the problem.

However I have seen poor hardwood. A good installer can usually tell by fliping the plank and checking out the back grain for the start of splits.

Bob

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Bob

Patty

Thanks for the info. You are tooooooo funny, though! I don't know if the guy smokes crack but he certainly had a lot of drinking stories to tell!