If your floorboards in Kidsgrove lift, cup, or feel uneven during winter but settle again in warmer months, this is usually not a structural failure. In most cases, it’s caused by seasonal changes in moisture and relative humidity, particularly in homes with suspended timber floors.
Timber is hygroscopic — it absorbs and releases moisture from the surrounding air. When humidity rises, boards expand; when it falls, they shrink. Winter conditions often exaggerate this movement.
At Weather Wise Solutions — a family-run damp and timber specialist — we regularly inspect homes where floors move seasonally due to subfloor moisture rather than leaks or rot.
🪵 Why Floorboards Warp in Winter
1️⃣ Seasonal Rise in Humidity
During winter, homes are heated while ventilation is reduced. Moisture from cooking, bathing, and breathing builds up indoors, raising relative humidity — especially beneath suspended floors.
2️⃣ High Subfloor Humidity
Subfloor voids rely on airflow to stay dry. Blocked air bricks, restricted ventilation, or damp ground beneath the property can raise humidity levels, causing boards above to absorb moisture and change shape.
3️⃣ Timber Response to RH Changes
As relative humidity increases:
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Boards can cup (edges lift)
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Boards may bow slightly
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Gaps can close or open depending on direction of movement
This movement often reverses when conditions improve.
4️⃣ Cold Surfaces Slow Drying
Cold winter temperatures reduce evaporation rates beneath floors. Moisture lingers longer, prolonging timber expansion.
5️⃣ Furniture and Airflow Restriction
Large furniture can restrict airflow above and below the floor, allowing moisture to concentrate in certain areas and causing uneven movement.
🔍 How We Diagnose Seasonal Floor Movement in Kidsgrove
We focus on why the timber is moving, not just the movement itself. Our inspections may include:
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Subfloor access and visual inspection
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Moisture testing of floorboards, joists, and sleeper walls
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Checking air brick locations and airflow paths
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Assessing external ground levels and drainage
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Ruling out leaks or active water ingress
This allows us to confirm whether the issue is humidity-led rather than structural.
🛠️ How Seasonal Warping Is Properly Managed
Depending on findings, solutions may include:
✔ Improving Subfloor Ventilation
Restoring or enhancing airflow to reduce humidity beneath the floor.
✔ Managing Indoor Humidity
Balancing heating and ventilation to stabilise moisture levels.
✔ Addressing External Moisture Sources
Correcting ground levels or drainage that contribute to subfloor dampness.
✔ Protecting Timber Long-Term
Ensuring moisture conditions are controlled before any repairs or refinishing.
Where materials or systems are required, we work with trusted suppliers including:
🔗 PAM Ties – https://www.pamties.co.uk/
🔗 Wykamol Group – https://wykamol.com/
All advice aligns with guidance from:
🔗 Federation of Damp – https://federationofdamp.co.uk/
🔗 Damp Proofing Association – https://www.dampproofingassociation.co.uk/
For independent reassurance, you can also view our profiles on:
🔗 TrustATrader – https://www.trustatrader.com/traders/weather-wise-solutions-limited-damp-surveyor-newcastle-under-lyme
🔗 Checkatrade – https://www.checkatrade.com/trades/weatherwisesolutionslimited
Seasonal floor movement is a moisture signal —
not a reason to panic.
Early checks protect timber and prevent long-term damage.
📍 Book a free survey:
https://weatherwiseuk.co.uk/pages/contact