Our bamboo flooring is bowing up a lot. How do we fix this?
by Bridget
+2
Just bought this house in the fall. The flooring is less than thtee years old. Wondering if it is because of the heat of the summer expanding the flooring or what? We tried putting heavy objects like toolbox, etc on it, as that is something we heard might work, but it doesn't stay down. Will it eventually stop doing this? Can we nail it down or when it gets cold again will the nails rip out? What have others tried with bamboo flooring?
Suggested Project Book
Here's information you will find pretty informative and relevant to your problem
https://www.ambientbp.com/blog/does-bamboo-flooring-warp
No expansion joints. Might try taking out baseboards and cutting 1/4 inch groove in flooring around the wall. Only thing I can think of.
Was the bamboo a traditional, "solid" bamboo or did it have a plywood base and a bamboo wear layer? If plywood, it's relatively normal for it to bow alot, and as long as it's not sever, you're ok.
If it's sold bamboo and it bowed the day after removing it from the box, my guess it that it's overdry from the manufacturing process. I'd return it and get new material.
Sometimes you can drill tiny holes here and there in the flooring and stop this. It is caused by not having any expansion joints. If you drill do this....use a tiny drill bit just use the point so the hole is very very tiny. If you drill at an angle it is not visable from the top or is very tiny if seen. Most people never see it
It could be moisture which will cause wood to expand and contract.You need to solve the actual problem to prevent further bowing.Also if unsealed moisture will get in.Don't overwet floors when mopping.Yes if they are not bowed to much try nailing down ,Otherwise be careful as they might split from forcing them back down.Depending how bad you might need to replace certain boards.Good luck.