Why is my hardwood floor crowning?

Crowning is often caused by moisture imbalance—but the underlying cause isn’t always visible.

Crowning occurs when the center of each board rises higher than the edges, creating a curved appearance. This is typically the result of moisture affecting the top of the boards differently than the bottom.

Typical causes are:

• Moisture buildup from below
• Improper drying after moisture exposure
• Imbalanced humidity conditions
• Incorrect previous repairs (e.g., sanding too early)

What you see is often a symptom — not the actual problem.

Why does a hardwood inspection matter?

Fixing the symptom without identifying the cause can make the problem worse.

• Prevent further damage
• Avoid incorrect repairs

An inspection helps identify the cause before you spend money fixing the wrong problem.