ST. LOUIS, May 15 /PRNewswire/ -- When building or purchasing a home, chances are that you will have it inspected, and with good reason. Your home likely represents your largest investment, and you want to be sure it is in good condition before you buy. During the inspection, don't neglect the floors. Flooring represents the home's largest horizontal surface, and if you have wood floors underfoot, there are some things you'll want to look for. Wood floors should be inspected from a standing position in normal lighting. It is important to understand that no two floor boards are identical. Appearance variations are normal. As the floor ages, color change can occur. This is normal, but can be minimized by limiting direct sunlight exposure, and periodically moving furniture and rugs. Wood is a natural product and gaps naturally occur with the changing seasons. When humidity levels are high, wood floors will expand. When humidity levels are low, they will contract. Any gaps measuring the thickness of a dime or less are normal; however, with boards wider than 2-1/4 inches, larger gaps are considered normal. Square edged floors will show more gaps than beveled floors, and light floors will show more gaps than dark floors. These gaps can be minimized using the home's HVAC system to control humidity levels. Squeaky floors can have several causes, including subfloor systems, nailing schedules, the type or amount of adhesive used, and even exposure to excessive moisture or dryness. Chances are that isolated noises can be fixed easily, but a certified wood flooring inspector will be your best bet in identifying, isolating, and eliminating these kinds of problems.
