Craig DeWitt

Craig DeWitt, PhD, PE, is president of RLC Engineering LLC in Asheville, N.C. Craig has a PhD in engineering and specializes in wood, moisture and indoor environments. He has provided inspection and consulting services for over 20 years.

Troubleshooting

‘Blemishes’ Spread in Traffic Areas of This Solid Oak Floor

July 17, 2020

Problem areas generally occurred along a crack or check in the wood.

Troubleshooting

A Water Leak Isn’t the Only Thing Making This Wood Floor Cup

Wood flooring expert Craig DeWitt examines a cupped floor that had more extensive moisture problems beyond a water leak.

November 28, 2018

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Over-Drying Crawl Spaces: Is It Possible?

Craig DeWitt examines the question of whether a crawl space can get too dry for a wood flooring installation.

July 13, 2015

A dehumidifer in a crawl space.

More Words of Advice on OSB Subfloors

I had a blog entry earlier this year about OSB subflooring. I want to continue that discussion some more. One question I received after the last entry was whether my statement that coated fasteners provided better holding properties was based on science or personal experience. My answer is both. Wood engineering books include information about the holding properties of fasteners. The numbers show that coated and deformed fasteners hold better than smooth-shanked fasteners. Deformed shanks include ring-shank, spiral shank and even nailing cleats. A screw can be considered a deformed shank, but other properties of screws put them in their own category.

August 22, 2014

Psychrometrics, or How I Knew it Was a Really Cold Winter

I could tell that it was a cold winter without even looking at the thermometer. I had so many phone calls and emails about gaps in floors. The comments ranged from "Our floors are two years old, and we didn't have gaps last winter" to "My house is 50 years old and I have never had gaps like this." I usually get some calls about gaps in the winter, but nothing like this winter.A general rule of thumb is that if the air is heated 20 degrees F, the RH will drop in half.How much moisture you need to add depends on how well ventilated (or leaky) the house is.

April 15, 2014

Is OSB a Bad Subfloor Material?

I had another call last week about loose floors over OSB. The hardwood flooring could be pulled up by hand with minimal force. OSB panels are often used instead of plywood as subflooring. I don't hear of this issue with plywood, so what's special or different about OSB?

January 22, 2014

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A Common Cause for Humps & Squeaks

I inspect many floors where joints between subfloor panels are an issue. If the panels expand and push together, the edges can lift up, causing humps or squeaks in the floor. Most subfloor panels are stamped with a label indicating the spacing that should be left between panels at installation:

November 4, 2013

Subfloor Spacing Stamp

Are You Relying Too Much on RH Readings?

I spend a lot of my time looking at issues with buildings, and in the process I see a lot of wood floors. The floors are great sources of information, maybe not quite in the style of tree-ring information, but they still provide solid information. Since wood acclimates to the environment rather slowly, wood gives a better picture of long-term average conditions than an instantaneous measurement.

October 24, 2013

Going in New Directions

I have been very remiss in posting blog bits this year. My work has changed and led me in a little different direction. New issues to explore, new people to teach. As my father says, "Too much to do, too little time." My posts and comments over the last couple years may have been a little harsh and pointed at times, and I have never been one to sugar-coat issues. Nor do I shy away from controversy. In all of it, I attempted to discuss some issues that make for better inspections and a better wood flooring industry.

April 5, 2012

Fact, Fiction or Opinion (cont.)

Picking up where we left off last week...

January 27, 2012

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Craftsmanship Across the Globe: Introducing the Winners of the 2024 WFB Design Awards

Hailing everywhere from Italy to Portugal to Cincinnati to Washington, D.C., to Brazil to Chicago (by way of Poland), the recipients of this year’s WFB Design Awards prove, through sweat and creativity, that true craftsmanship has no borders.

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Meet the Repairman Turning Edgers Into Artwork

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What’s Your Top Advice for When Things Get Slow?

This 7-inch-wide, 5/8-inch-thick engineered rift-and-quartersawn red oak floor was coated with Bona Natural Seal and Bona Traffic HD Satin waterborne finish. (Photo courtesy of Floors by the Shore)

White Oak vs. Red Oak: As Pressure Increases on White Oak, Red Oak Is a Versatile Alternative

Custom Stain Application Techniques with Loba-Wakol North America

Custom Stain Application Techniques with Loba-Wakol North America