How to Keep Hardwood Flooring From Separating in Winter

Cracks and separation in your hardwood floors are a common occurrence during the winter because of a lack of moisture in your home. As moisture is pulled from the wood, the brittleness of the floors increases. Forced heat worsens the dryness in your home, and humidity, which normally maintains the condition of your wood, is typically low during the cold season. While some cracks and separation are to be expected during the winter, you can reduce the severity by maintaining moisture levels in your home.

Pot
Portable humidifier

Instructions

- 1
  Fill a pot of water on your stovetop and set the stove's dial to medium-high heat. As the water begins to boil, it evaporates into the air, which increases humidity in your home.
- 2
  Place a portable humidifier in each room that has hardwood flooring. Fill the warm-air humidifier with water, and set it to a low setting. A low setting allows the humidifier to improve the room's moisture, and does not use the water's tank as quickly as the high setting.
- 3
  Add a humidifier to your furnace. A professional technician installs the humidifier to your furnace, which evenly distributes moisture to all of the heated rooms.
- 4
  Purchase a humidity gauge for your home. A humidity gauge monitors your home's humidity level, and will warn you if your home's humidity level dips below the necessary moisture level to prevent separating.

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