Community Forums

DartmanK · 02-16-2014, 10:31 AM

I am currently staying on the Oregon Coast and the use of a dehumidifier is necessary. However, when I set the unit to a level where the moisture is controlled and the windows remain clear the floor begins to squeak/creak. I have searched but am unable to find a humidity chart or recommendation for a motorhome. I have adjusted the settings higher and lower on the unit but cannot find a happy medium; any suggestions?

jesilvas · 02-16-2014, 06:35 PM

Isn't wood supposed to be 5-25% moisture? Just going off TV shows I've seen.

TeJay · 02-16-2014, 06:51 PM

Yes wood does have moisture in it and it will change as the air around it changes. Every home during the winter will need to be humidified because of the drying of the air as it is heated by conventional methods. Wood burning fireplaces also dry out the inside air. I'm a wood worker and we try to get wood around 4-6 % before starting a building project. When wood is dried it will close up some of the pours but the wood will still take on moisture if it is exposed to moist air. But even dried wood will still change when the furniture is built and certain precautions have to be taken to reduce its effects. No raised panel wooden door should have the panel glued into the frame. Those panels should float to allow for expansion and contraction.

I'm not doubting your issues with squeaks as the humidity drops. However most of the wood in many MH's is almost sealed and maybe completely sealed from air entering it. It's not like most homes where you can feel air around electrical sockets. But I'm sure that issue will vary widely from MH to MH.

You might be able to use some sort of liquid wax to permeate those squeaky area to reduce some of the squeaks. That might also be something to attack from underneath or even inside your storage compartments. Liquid Gold wax might be a good thing to try. It smells good to.

TeJay

wa8yxm · 02-17-2014, 12:12 AM

The problem with wooden floors (or wooden sub-floors) is they squeak.

if the wood is exposed, sweep TALIC powder over it, this will get down in the cracks and lubricate recducing or eliminating the squeak.

Wood, "Shrinks" as it dryes out, and it always dries out less it is under water.... In days of old, when I was bold, I was a ladder monkey.. We used mostly wooden ladders for assorted reasons.. Sometimes a ladder would get very loose and wobbly.. Soak it in the river for a short period and it would tighten right up.

(Do not, however soak it too long or it rots).

DartmanK · 02-17-2014, 09:12 AM

Thank you for your responses. I will try to make good use of all the suggestions. Unfortunately, all of the squeaks/creaks seem to be below the carpet! I may have to get a little creative with the talc and oil, but I will give it a shot. (wa8yxm: I ran the 'soaking it in the river' by the dear wife and she refuses to let me park the rig in the river!) Thanks for the insight though!