What Should You Do About Swelling Wood in Your Home?

12/12/2019 (Permalink)

Wood that has begun to swell is usually reacting to a certain change in its environment

What To Do With Building Materials That Have Become Swollen

Building materials that are made of wood may begin to swell in response to various factors. In most cases, wood swells in wet or humid conditions, and this effect can become more pronounced after a storm or other severe weather event in your Comanche, MT, area. Before you can begin to address a swelling wood problem, it’s important to understand what may be causing this to happen. These tips can help you determine what to do about building materials that have become swollen.

The Causes

Wood that has begun to swell is usually reacting to a certain change in its environment. These common triggers can lead to swollen wood in your living space:

• High temperatures
  
• Rain
  
• Humidity
  
• Exposure to sunlight
  
  

While heat, rain and humidity are factors exclusively controlled by weather and climate, the amount of sunlight that wooden materials receive is directly impacted by their location on your property. For example, wooden doors that are pointed towards the south are exposed to more sunlight than north-facing doors. As a result, the doors may expand in the heat and their finish can become compromised.

What to Do

Once you’ve identified the cause of your swelling wood, you can determine how to take action. Most water-impacted materials can be replaced, including wooden doors, cabinets and furniture. Be sure to remove damaged materials and replace them immediately to keep further harm at bay. Additionally, if the swollen wood is a result of a faulty supply line or pipe, be sure to inspect the affected source and schedule a water pipe repair if necessary.
Any problems that cause water damage to wooden materials in your home should be taken care of promptly. If a buildup of heat or moisture in your environment has led to swelling wood, call for a water damage repair as soon as possible to preserve the state of your living space.