What risks does moisture pose for wood flooring? Of all the things that could harm your client’s wood floors, moisture is one of the most prevalent and dangerous issues. In fact, studies show that 14,000 Americans file a water damage claim every day. And across the entire nation, flooding issues cost over $180 billion every year. There are plenty of reasons why moisture is an especially tricky problem to deal with. For one, moisture is ever-present and ever- changing. Humidity levels fluctuate and water leaks pop up unexpectedly. Moisture is also invisible much of the time. While we might see a puddle of water forming underneath our windows, there are plenty of more sneaky leaks we miss, not to mention the moisture that hangs invisibly in the air. Those hidden, slower sources are all too easy to miss until it’s too late. And when it comes to wood floors, you don’t just have to worry about excess moisture causing mold or water stains. You have to worry about the moisture altering the size and
shape of the wood itself. This is because wood is a hygroscopic material. This means wood floors absorb and release moisture in response to its environment, causing it to swell, shrink, or warp. So when your client’s floors are exposed to excess moisture or high humidity levels, it could end up cupping, crowning, or buckling. How can you protect clients from moisture they can’t see or predict? You’d need a tool that can detect changing humidity levels. What is Floor Sentry? (And why you need it) Floor Sentry is an embedded data logger designed by Wagner Meters. It monitors and records the relative humidity (RH) and internal temperature of your wood floor and the surface of your wood or concrete subfloor. To install it, all you have to do is carve out a space on the bottom side of one of your floorboards. This is where you’ll insert Floor Sentry. Then you’ll want to download the Wagner Sentry app and pair it with your Floor Sentry device.
32 Premier Flooring Retailer D2 | 2025
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