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Bamboo has quickly emerged as an excellent alternative to hardwood flooring, and it has been praised for its durability, sturdiness, and uniqueness. Bamboo flooring also has a vibrant colour that gives your home an elegant look. However, one of the issues that most people face with this kind of flooring is that the boards start to warp over time. Luckily, there are measures that you can follow right from the installation stage to prevent this problem and extend the durability of your flooring. These measures include the following;

Create space for expansion

Bamboo floorings tend to expand and contract due to changes in temperature. It contracts during the winter and expands during the summer. This means that it requires additional space on the sides. If the installer doesn't leave any gaps around the edges to account for these changes, the wood will have no breathing space. As a result, it may start to warp and crack. Ensure that your installation contractor has left gaps to allow for expansion and contraction. This allows the boards to breathe and maintain their structural integrity.

Allow the floor to acclimate

During the installation, bamboo flooring should be taken through an acclimatization process. The wood is allowed to adjust to the conditions in the room. The boards adapt to the moisture levels and temperature in the room. This process takes around three days, and it is crucial in ensuring that the boards fit perfectly on the floor. Failure to acclimate the bamboo will cause the flooring to warp or crack in the future.

Invest in a dehumidifier

Bamboo floors do not perform well in areas with high moisture levels. That is partly why they, together with other types of woods are not ideal for use in the bathroom and other wet areas. So if there is a lot of moisture in your home, the flooring will start to expand and eventually warp or crack. You can prevent this by investing in a dehumidifier to lower the levels of moisture in your home. Alternatively, open the windows during the day to allow air circulation and let out the excess moisture.

Clean spills immediately

Liquid spills are your floor's biggest enemy, especially if they are left to soak into the bamboo fibres. Just like in any other natural wood, the moisture will penetrate the fibres, distort the wood, and cause it to crack or warp. Make a point of cleaning spills immediately they happen to protect your flooring. Also, this will help prevent unsightly stains which occur when spills are left unattended for extended periods.

Contact a flooring contractor if you notice warping or other problems with your bamboo flooring.