Your wood floors may be in danger if there is a lot of water on them. The threat of water damage is one of the biggest concerns in the home. Water-damaged hardwood flooring can distort, develop mould, and reduce the value of your property. Fortunately, there are methods for repairing water damage to wood floors.
How Long Does Water Take to Ruin Hardwood Floors?
The location of the water damage determines the length of water damage to hardwood floors. Water leaks into hardwood floors are usually avoided by treating the top boards, especially when dealing with a tiny spill. Substantial water will leak between the boards and get underneath. If the boards are not treated, they will absorb water and expand. The faster water damage to the wood floor is eliminated, the greater chances of saving it.
If you have a severe flood, leak, or burst pipe, contact a professional water damage mitigation crew as soon as possible. It will limit water damage to hardware and flooring.
Water Damage Symptoms on Hardwood Floors
An odour beneath hardwood floors may be the first sign of damage. It could suggest the presence of moisture or mildew beneath the surface of your wooden floorboards. You should contact a professional as soon as possible so that they can examine the situation before performing repairs. Look for crowning on your hardwood floor as well. Crowning indicates that the moisture content is most likely higher at the top of the floor than at the bottom. Crowning occurs when hardwood flooring is directly wet or due to moisture content.
Other Symptoms of Hardware Floor Water Damage
– Wood floor staining and discolouration
– Hardwood floor buckling
– Lifting nails and planks
– Mould
Is Water Harmful to Hardwood Floors?
Due to the porous nature of hardwood floors, moisture can move between planks and cause swelling while remaining dry in others. It frequently results in unattractive bulges across your wood floor as water accumulates over time, only adding to the wear!
How to Repair a Swollen Water-Damaged Wood Floor
High humidity is the most prevalent cause of swelling in wood flooring. To repair it, place thick towels over the swollen area and use a dehumidifier to eliminate excess moisture from your HVAC or ventilation system. Then, run an upright vacuum over these areas until they shrink back down.
How to Repair and Minimize Water Damage to a Hardwood Floor
You can take steps to lessen the damage to your hardwood floor. In addition, you can prevent more damage in the event of a major spill, a leaking roof, or a burst pipe in your home. This 5-step drying procedure can protect your flooring!
1. Locate the Water Source
Turning off the water supply is the first step in the drying process. Before beginning cleanup, look for leaky, burst pipes and roof weaknesses. After all, you will only be able to do a little to prevent hardwood floor water damage while the water is still coming in.
2. Dry Floors and Remove Wet Objects
Then take any damp objects to a safe location to dry. It will help save goods like furniture and rugs and reduce the water that saturates your floors. Leaving damp carpet on your hardwood floors can cause irreversible damage.
The next step is to remove as much standing water from the flooring as possible using whatever means are available. A wet vac will be most effective, but laying down towels and rags will help significantly. We will thoroughly dry the floor later; the primary purpose is to remove any standing water.
3. Keep Your Floors Clean
Water is not the only material to be cautious of while dealing with water damage to wooden floors. Depending on the source, you may find silt, dirt, or other organic elements in addition to excess moisture. Scrubbing your floors removes these contaminants and might help you avoid irreversible harm to your flooring.
4. Dry As Much As Possible
After clearing, drying, and cleaning your floors, dry them again. Continue wiping the floors with everything you can find. Water must be removed from all areas, including behind cabinets and appliances, if your wood floors are to be saved.
We will measure the humidity level to ensure that the flooring is dry. Dehumidifiers can help eliminate significant amounts of surplus moisture.
Set up as many fans as possible in the affected area and keep them running. Open your windows to allow air to circulate in your home. The more moving air you generate, the faster the flooring will dry, and the less likely you will suffer significant wood damage.
You’ve tried everything you can to protect your wood flooring. All that remains is ensuring no damage necessitates calling in the pros.
5. Check for Mould
Aside from obvious deformities on the floors, the most acute symptom to look for is mould development. If mould growth has begun, you must address it immediately to prevent it from spreading and becoming a larger problem. Examine the area thoroughly for visible mould, either on the wood or in the grain pores.
Throughout this process, keep your fans and dehumidifiers running—mould likes moisture, so whatever you can do to make your flooring as dry and unfriendly to spore formation as possible will save you trouble later on. For further information on mould removal, contact Reztor Restoration.
6. Utilize a Water Vacuum
A water vacuum is another alternative for removing water from your wood flooring. A water vacuum is an excellent tool for removing water from wood floors. It operates by sucking up all of the water in the surrounding region. It allows you to clean up any spills or water damage rapidly. It also helps sweep away any extra water collected on your floor.
How to Repair a Swollen Water-Damaged Wood Floor
If your floor is swollen due to humidity, you should install ventilation fans to dry your space. You can use a dehumidifier to help dry out the flooring, capture moisture and accelerate the process.
Keeping Wood Floors Dry
We have a few tactics to help if you have suffered water damage to your flooring and want to avoid it. In addition, we want to know the most effective ways to avoid water damage occurring in the future.
Mats and Rugs
Laying down mats and carpets throughout the house is one way to protect your hardwood floors from water damage. Install a mat at each entrance so that wet, muddy shoes don’t trample it when you step onto your wood floor; furthermore, place one under sinks, pet bowls, or faucets in case someone spills their drink there!
Examine Your Residence
Check for leaks in things like your pipes that could cause floods in your home and extra water on your hardwood.
Maintenance
Sealing your hardwood flooring every few years will assist in extending its life and protect it from dampness and other potential harm.
Water Seeping Through Engineered Wood Floor
The core of most engineered wood flooring is not water-resistant. Therefore, flooding can ruin the floor. The floor will expand and cup once the core has absorbed enough water.
The easiest option to repair a water-damaged region beneath an engineered wood floor is to replace the afflicted boards and refinish the entire floor to restore its original appearance.
Water Damage Repair on a Wood Floor
You might need to bring someone in to ensure the flooding doesn’t come back, depending on the source of the water. Remember, everything is not lost if you ever experience water damage in your home. You can still save wood floors if you act quickly, and if necessary, professionals like Reztor Restoration can assist with wood floor water damage repair.
