Can I Use Swamp Coolers If I Have Hardwood Flooring?

When choosing an air conditioner for your home, your home's flooring may not be something that you generally take into consideration. If you have hardwood flooring, however, you should. Swamp coolers, also known as evaporative coolers, can have a damaging effect on hardwood flooring and should be avoided in homes that have it. Here are five ways swamp coolers can affect your hardwood flooring.

What You Need to Know to Protect Your Hardwood Flooring

1. They Can Cause the Planks to Swell

Swamp coolers work by putting moisture in the air. Hardwood floors are porous, and they can trap the moist air inside of them. This added air causes the planks to swell, often in an uneven and unpredictable pattern.

2. They Can Cause the Planks to Change Shape

This additional moisture doesn't just cause your hardwood flooring to swell outward. It can also cause it to warp into strange shapes. This warping can cause a major tripping hazard as the planks bend into funny shapes.

3. They Can Cause the Planks to Crack

Furthermore, swamp coolers can also cause your hardwood flooring to crack. While this is less dangerous to walk across, it is terribly unsightly. It can also be difficult to fix without ripping out and replacing your entire floor, depending on how your floor is connected.

4. They Can Cause Your Boards to Rot

Water and wood simply don't mix. Too much moisture in the subfloor under your hardwood flooring can cause your boards to rot. If the boards are not stabilized correctly, the rotting boards can give way. This is a major home safety hazard.

5. They Can Foster Mold Growth

Lastly, swamp coolers can encourage mold and other bacteria to grow deep within your hardwood flooring. Not only is this gross, but it is also very hazardous to the health of the people living in your home, particularly the young, the old and those with allergies.

When it comes to air conditioning options, you have several. If your home has hardwood flooring, however, swamp coolers are not one of them.

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For more details on hardwood flooring or to get a design consultation with one of our courteous, expert advisers, contact us or visit any of our 4 SHOWROOM LOCATIONS locations to learn more.

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