Warping means that the shape of the plank of flooring has been distorted. One of the main caused of a hardwood floor warping is water damage. Water damage can occur when water (or any liquid) is left to soak into your wooden floor. The wood will absorb the liquid and is likely to warp and distort.
The easiest way to prevent water damage is to clean up spills or water accidents immediately, and remove all wet, outdoor footwear before walking on the floor.
Moisture damage can also cause your hardwood floor to warp. The main reason that your floor may be affected by moisture is if your subfloor was not completely dry before installation and it has absorbed the moisture from underneath. Before installing your hardwood you should ensure that the subfloor is completely dry by testing it with a moisture meter.
If you have wooden floorboards the moisture content should be 16%MC or below, and for a concrete or screed subfloor the level of moisture should be below 6%MC. Moisture damage to hardwood flooring can also be caused by high levels of moisture in a room, such as bathrooms and utility rooms. It is not recommended that hardwood flooring is fitted in either of these rooms.
