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What is a common cause of buckled hardwood flooring in an existing house?

  1. Poor installation

  2. Excessive moisture

  3. Unsuitable wood types

  4. Heavy furniture

The correct answer is: Excessive moisture

Buckled hardwood flooring is primarily caused by excessive moisture in the environment. When hardwood absorbs moisture, it expands. If the moisture levels exceed what the wood can naturally accommodate, this excessive expansion can lead to warping and buckling. This typically occurs in areas with high humidity or if there has been a leak or flooding. Understanding the environment where hardwood flooring is installed is crucial because hardwood is highly susceptible to changes in moisture content. Proper ventilation, humidity control, and moisture barriers are important in preventing this type of damage. While poor installation, unsuitable wood types, and heavy furniture can lead to issues with hardwood flooring, they typically do not cause buckling in the same way that moisture does. Poor installation can lead to gaps or uneven floors, unsuitable wood types might not perform well in certain environments, and heavy furniture can dent or scratch the wood but does not usually induce buckling caused by moisture.