Do I really need a humidifier for hardwood in 1st year?

[amz155]

Our new house, closing in a month, will have hardwood stairs and hardwood on the main floor (oak).

I'm concerned about the wood shrinking in the dry winter.

I've heard that new homes emit enough moisture that a humidifier isn't really needed in the first year.

However, my builder has said that if pieces of the floor shrink over the winter and they find that we don't have a humidifier, I'm on the hook and they will not correct the issue.

I noticed that in the model home there were spaces between the floor boards and when I asked about it (concerned that it might have been an installation problem), they told me it was because a humidifier was not put in the home until after the winter.

I'm worried that if I don't get a humidifier right away, my floors will end up looking like those in the model home.

We aren't opposed to getting a humidifier. We just have so many things to buy/set in order prior to closing that if we can wait on that item, we will.

On that note, since we don't have much time to shop around, can anyone recommend a brand/model that is reasonably priced. Our home is 2228 sq feet. Lastly, since the hardwood is just on the main, can we get away with a portable humidifier that we place in one of the two hardwooded rooms?

Thanks.

[jonnyb]

If it were me I'd definitely put one in, why risk damaging thousands of dollars worth of hardwood?
Home Depot, CTire all sell hygrometers which are about 20$ or so and monitor the humidity level in your house. I bought one for our new place and even though we suspected the same as you, being a new house doesn't mean you won't need a humidifier. I bought the desert springs model at CTire and installed it myself. Every humidifier has a control setting on it so its not as if but putting one on your furnace you'll have excess moisture in the air. It only works according to what you set it at.
Coles notes, BUY ONE.

[coolspot]

Get a digital hydrometer, as long as your humidity level is around 50 - 60% you're fine.

In fact, if this is a new home, you may need a DEhumidifer.

[Mayoo]

Can some one point me to Honeywell thermostat which contain humidity levels as well ? I moved into new house as well and need to know as well

[Frankie3s]

Get a digital hydrometer, as long as your humidity level is around 50 - 60% you're fine.

In fact, if this is a new home, you may need a DEhumidifer.

True enough.

[amz155]

Thanks for the advice.

Though, since I've gotten mixed info I'm hoping patrob will chime in :cheesygri

The idea of a thermostat with hygrometer built in is a good one. Maybe I will look for one of those.

[Smoothie]

Can some one point me to Honeywell thermostat which contain humidity levels as well ? I moved into new house as well and need to know as well

I couldn't find one. So I went with a Noma from Cdn Tire, on sale this week. Just put it in yesterday though.

[amz155]

bump.....ahem, patrob? :D

[patrob]

bump.....ahem, patrob? :D

Replied in my thread :)

[jonnyb]

I don't see what's so hard about this.

Buy a hygrometer to monitor the levels of humidity in your house. Even though your moving into a new house I'm betting you will need a humidifier, I did with mine. For peace of mind spend the $200-$400 and install one now because sooner or later you will need one. The only question you have to ask is are you willing to take the chance and have your floors looking like the ones you saw in the model house? If your house does have enough moisture within it you don't have to use the humidifier this year, next year you probably will. But, if it doesn't and you do have one installed you'd be looking at saving yourself thousands of dollars in damages.

[amz155]

Thanks patrob.

I'm just trying to make sure we need one right away. We were told by the design center that if we put in our own humidifier within the first year we would void the installation waranty on the furnace. I want to look into this to see if its true so I'm asking if a humidifier is essential because if it isn't I won't put one in during the first year. Again, I have to see if what the decor centre told me is true.

[teoconca]

Our new house, closing in a month, will have hardwood stairs and hardwood on the main floor (oak).

I'm concerned about the wood shrinking in the dry winter.

I've heard that new homes emit enough moisture that a humidifier isn't really needed in the first year.

However, my builder has said that if pieces of the floor shrink over the winter and they find that we don't have a humidifier, I'm on the hook and they will not correct the issue.

I noticed that in the model home there were spaces between the floor boards and when I asked about it (concerned that it might have been an installation problem), they told me it was because a humidifier was not put in the home until after the winter.

I'm worried that if I don't get a humidifier right away, my floors will end up looking like those in the model home.

We aren't opposed to getting a humidifier. We just have so many things to buy/set in order prior to closing that if we can wait on that item, we will.

On that note, since we don't have much time to shop around, can anyone recommend a brand/model that is reasonably priced. Our home is 2228 sq feet. Lastly, since the hardwood is just on the main, can we get away with a portable humidifier that we place in one of the two hardwooded rooms?

Thanks.

You should get a central humidifier for your health, cost about $400 installed. Winter in Canada is very bad (dry) for the health and skin because of the cold, heat, chemical in the water that we shower. Get one for that reason first. Never mind the hardwood floor and stair.

[jonnyb]

Thanks patrob.

I'm just trying to make sure we need one right away. We were told by the design center that if we put in our own humidifier within the first year we would void the installation waranty on the furnace. I want to look into this to see if its true so I'm asking if a humidifier is essential because if it isn't I won't put one in during the first year. Again, I have to see if what the decor centre told me is true.

That's a bunch of bs. I called Tarion on this and the builder can't void your warranty simply because you installed a humidifier. Most contracts read "Any changes to the furnace or heating system will void the warranty." This would mean that if you replaced the cheap builders grade thermostat with a programmable one they could void the warranty because you've "altered the heating system." All they want is your money to have them install it.

[amz155]

I figured it was bs but since the contract reads as such, I still wondered if it was true.

[patrob]

I agree, it's BS & it will not void your warranty. It's a scaring tactic they use to get you to upgrade through the builder.

[mocha'n'me]

Definitely monitor the humidity. All of the homes in our area that had installed hardwood have problems. There was too much humidity in the homes and the hardwood was not properly acclimated before installation. Out of five homes, we are the only ones that had a dehumidifier running constantly. Coincidentally, or not so much, ours is the one with the least waves. The strange thing is, our upstairs is already very dry.

So in short, monitor your humidity levels and use a combination of methods to maintain the manufacturer approved levels.

[Mayoo]

Correct me if i am wrong ..

So if the Humidity level is 45- 60% ( Winter and Summer ) - Nothing needed

If the Humidity level is less than 45% ( Mostly Winter ) - Humidifier Needed

If the Humidity level is more than 60% ( Mostly Summer ) - Dehumidifier Needed

[patrob]

Correct me if i am wrong ..

So if the Humidity level is 45- 60% ( Winter and Summer ) - Nothing needed

If the Humidity level is less than 45% ( Mostly Winter ) - Humidifier Needed

If the Humidity level is more than 60% ( Mostly Summer ) - Dehumidifier Needed

You are correct. But remember about your air circulation, have your fan on from time to time. Also your A/C acts as de-humidifier.

[coolspot]

Correct me if i am wrong ..

So if the Humidity level is 45- 60% ( Winter and Summer ) - Nothing needed

If the Humidity level is less than 45% ( Mostly Winter ) - Humidifier Needed

If the Humidity level is more than 60% ( Mostly Summer ) - Dehumidifier Needed

The CMHC has good information online:

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_001.cfm

http://www.cmhc-schl.gc.ca/en/co/maho/yohoyohe/momo/momo_002.cfm

[STFan]

You are correct. But remember about your air circulation, have your fan on from time to time. Also your A/C acts as de-humidifier.

I also agree.

[Frameboy]

You don't need a humidifier... a buddy of mine who just purchased a home by Arista said they told him that too.

He called me asking... I've had a few homes without a humidifier, and as somebody else mentioned... if anything a dehumidifier would be better... but has nothing to do with hardwood floors.

[amz155]

You don't need a humidifier... a buddy of mine who just purchased a home by Arista said they told him that too.

He called me asking... I've had a few homes without a humidifier, and as somebody else mentioned... if anything a dehumidifier would be better... but has nothing to do with hardwood floors.

I'm not sure you're correct. From other advice gained in this and other threads, a humidifier sounds like a good idea. If not for the floors, for general health in those dry winter months. The dry air WILL affect the hardwood floors and I've seen the effects of that in the model home.