What is “cupping” and “doming”?
Cupping is what a hardwood floor does when it has a high moisture content. It actually looks like an ocean of waves. Cupping can be attributed to water leaks that wick into the hardwood and from moisture that’s getting into the house from outside. In new construction, this is normal until the heat and air unit is turned on at which time the unit will draw the moisture out of the air and out of the hardwood. Once dry, the hardwood floor will lay down and then it’s ready for sanding and finishing. This is good because it allows the flooring contractor to replace any damaged boards before the floor is finished. In existing homes where cupping has occurred and the owner is unable to determine the reason for the cupping problem, a professional flooring company should be contacted to investigate the problem and provide a solution. Doming occurs when a hardwood floor is sanded and finished without having been properly acclimated. It actually looks like a caterpillar where the center of the bo
