Dealing with water-damaged wood floors can be both stressful and expensive. That’s why it’s crucial to contact a professional water damage restoration company as soon as possible to prevent the damage from worsening.
In this article, we’ll explore everything you need to know about addressing water-damaged wood flooring, including whether it’s possible to fix wood floors after a leak, how to identify signs of water damage, and what water-damaged floors typically look like. You’ll also learn how quickly water can damage wood flooring, what steps to take if you discover a leak affecting your floors, and what to do if you suspect a hidden water leak in your home. For more severe situations, we’ll cover the actions to take if your floors are fully flooded, how long it takes for wood floors to dry, and, finally, how to prevent water damage in the future.
Can you fix water damaged wood flooring after a leak or flood?
If you’re dealing with a leaky appliance or the aftermath of a flood, it’s essential to assess your flooring to determine whether it can be salvaged. Floor damage generally falls into three main categories, and evaluating these areas will help you understand the extent of the damage and decide whether repairs are possible or if replacement is necessary.
You should check the following for damage when inspecting your wood floor:
- Top of the floors, the surface, and the finish
- The body of the flooring, including the structure and shape of the boards below the finish coating.
- The fastening system and the subfloor level, including the glue and nails that hold the floor to the subfloor and the subfloor itself which could be concrete or wood.
How can I know if I have water damaged floors?
Recognizing signs of damage to your wood floors is essential for timely repairs. Start by checking if the surface feels damp or if moisture is visibly present. Additionally, watch for water seeping through the seams between boards when you step on them—this could indicate significant water damage. Here are a few more warning signs to keep an eye on:
- Areas that are dark and discolored
- Boards that are warped
- Finish that is blistered or peeling
- Boards that are uneven or loose
- Boards that are coming up off the subfloor
- Spots that are squeaky
- Rippling between the boards
- Delaminating layers of engineered flooring boards
- Increased moisture reading when you use a digital wood floor moisture meter
The telltale signs of water-damaged floors include discoloration, with patches that appear lighter, darker, or uneven, and peeling or flaking finishes. Structural damage is another potential issue, often noticeable through changes in the shape of the boards, such as warping, rippling, or cupping. Identifying these symptoms early can help prevent further damage and costly repairs.
How quickly can wood flooring get damaged?
Spilling a glass of water on a wood floor isn’t a cause for concern if you clean it up quickly, as small spills typically evaporate before causing any harm. However, significant water exposure, such as a major leak, storm-induced flooding, or an unnoticed drip over time, can lead to serious damage. Prolonged moisture on wood floors compromises their integrity, resulting in warping or other forms of damage. If your floors are flooded due to a storm, it’s safe to assume water damage has occurred, and prompt action is essential to address the issue.
What should I do if water leaks onto my wood floors?
Start by removing any visible water from the floors using a mop or absorbent towels. Once the surface is clear, use fans or air movers to thoroughly dry the area. It’s important to contact a flooring professional to test the moisture levels in your wood floors, especially if the water damage was caused by a significant or prolonged leak. This step ensures that moisture hasn’t seeped into the floorboards. Finally, refinish the floors to restore their original beauty and ensure they look as good as new.
What should I do if my floors are fully flooded?
If your flooring has been submerged in water due to a burst pipe, the first step is to immediately shut off your home’s water supply to stop the source of flooding. Next, begin the cleanup process using tools like a wet/dry vacuum, buckets, towels, or a squeegee to remove excess water. Be sure to remove and clean any water-damaged items, such as carpets and furniture, to prevent further issues. To accelerate drying, place fans or air movers in the affected area.
It’s crucial to contact a professional flooring company to assess the moisture levels in the floorboards and identify any hidden damage beneath the surface. In most cases, even flooring marketed as waterproof may need to be replaced after significant flooding. Taking these steps promptly can help mitigate long-term damage and restore your space efficiently.
How long does a wood floor take to dry out after a flood?
Once the source of the water is stopped and the excess water is cleaned up, the floor should begin to dry quickly. However, the time it takes for the floor to fully dry and return to its original condition depends on the extent of the water damage and the surrounding environmental factors.
Water-damaged wood floors, in particular, may take several weeks to dry completely. In some cases, if there is a wood subfloor beneath, it may be necessary to remove the wood flooring to ensure the subfloor is thoroughly dried. When this happens, full replacement of the flooring may be required.
How do I know if my wood floor is fully dry?
To determine the moisture content of wood flooring, a moisture meter is an essential tool. In most climates, wood flooring typically has a moisture content ranging between 5% and 10%. A flooring professional should measure this to ensure the wood has properly dried to the ideal level for your region. This step is crucial for maintaining the quality and longevity of your flooring.
How can I prevent damage on wood floors in the future?
While it’s possible to repair or replace wood floors after a flood, preventing water damage in the first place is always the better option. While some instances of water damage may be unavoidable, it can largely be prevented with the right precautions. By taking proactive steps, you can protect your hardwood floors and avoid costly repairs caused by accidental water damage.
- Always clean up any water spills right away from hardwood floors. This will help you minimize the damage.
- Make sure to take care of your hardwood floors by using a protective coating of polyurethane, which helps if you do end up with water damage.
- When you clean, avoid using too much water or an improper cleaning solution on the hardwood floors.
- Always inspect plumbing and fixtures and make sure that they are working properly. Your appliances should be installed professionally.
- When you are away from home for at least several days, try to have a friend or a neighbor check on your home for potential water damage issues.
Professional Water Damage Restoration
Addressing water-damaged wood floors promptly is crucial to minimizing damage, reducing repair costs, and restoring your home’s beauty and functionality. Whether dealing with minor leaks or significant flooding, understanding how to identify water damage, responding effectively, and working with professionals can make all the difference in saving your floors. While some water damage is unavoidable, taking preventative measures such as regular maintenance, immediate cleanup of spills, and proper sealing can help protect your wood floors and ensure their longevity. By staying informed and proactive, you can safeguard your home against the costly consequences of water damage.
It is important to remember that wood is porous, which means that water damage to your wood floors will continue to spread until it is addressed. At ServiceMaster DRR, we provide complete water damage restoration services to dry and restore wood flooring that has been affected by flooding or excess moisture. Our professionals use advanced equipment to remove excess water and thoroughly dry the wood flooring and subflooring to prevent warping and other damage. Do not hesitate to call us at (800) 439-8833 for immediate restoration if your home is affected by flooding or water damage.
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Steve VanDenBerg is the owner of ServiceMaster Disaster Restoration and Recovery. He has over 30 years of experience working within the restoration industry and successfully leading start-ups, turnarounds, acquisitions and mergers, and rapidly growing companies.
Steve earned his BS in Business & Accounting from Calvin University in Grand Rapids, MI and began working for DSI Holdings as their Chief Financial Officer. When Steve began with DSI Holdings, they were running an underperforming ServiceMaster Restore franchise with one location. Steve implemented new policies and procedures for accounting and finance as well as a professional sales plan that increased profits eightfold over his time as the CFO. He was then promoted to President and CEO and in this time, he expanded the company from two locations with $4M in sales to 12 locations and $45M in sales. DSI Holdings became one of the largest disaster restoration companies in the U.S. and helped with major restoration projects throughout the U.S. and around the world.
Steve purchased ServiceMaster DRR in 2015 when the business was in decline. Drawing on his years of experience in turning around struggling ServiceMaster franchises, Steve overhauled our operations, including finance, sales, and marketing, which led to a quick turnaround. Within Steve’s first 24 months, sales increased by 60 percent. Steve also helped greatly improve our operating margins and established a relationship with California’s largest residential insurance company. Under Steve’s leadership, we have become one of the largest disaster restoration providers in California.
Steve has found great success in turning around struggling and stagnant restoration franchises by changing the business model and strategy, greatly increasing sales and profits. Many of the changes he has implemented have even been adopted by the franchisor into their operating model.