Humidity & Climate
What happens to hardwood floors in a seasonal home left empty in Florida?
A hardwood floor in a seasonal Florida home can cup, gap, or move if the house is closed up without humidity control, so leave the air conditioning or a dehumidifier running while you’re away.
When a snowbird home is shut down for the off-season, indoor humidity can climb into the 70s or higher. Wood absorbs that moisture and swells, which shows up as cupping or tented boards; then it dries and gaps.
Set the AC to run on a moderate setpoint or install a humidistat/dehumidifier so the interior stays in the 30–50% range while the home is empty. This single step prevents the most common seasonal-home floor failures we’re called out for.
We give free in-home estimates across the Gulf Coast. Request one or call (941) 666-0138.
Related answers
What indoor humidity should I keep for hardwood floors in Florida?
Keep indoor relative humidity between about 30% and 50% year-round to keep hardwood floors stable — in Florida that means running air conditioning and, in some homes, a dehumidifier.
Read more →Why do hardwood floors cup or gap in Florida?
Hardwood floors cup or gap in Florida because of moisture: too much moisture (from a slab or humid air) makes boards swell and cup, and too little makes them shrink and gap.
Read more →How do you prevent mold under wood floors in Florida?
Mold under a Florida wood floor is prevented by controlling slab and air moisture — a tested slab, the right vapor barrier, and indoor humidity kept in the 30–50% range.
Read more →