Can I Still Save My Hardwood Floor After Water Damage | Hardwood Floors | Charlotte NC

CAN I STILL SAVE MY HARDWOOD FLOOR AFTER WATER DAMAGE

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WATER DAMAGE

After a severe water intrusion in your home, your hardwood floor can get soaking wet, and this can lead to severe water damage after an extended period, even though it can go unnoticed at first glance. The most important measure to save your floor is to dry out the surface as soon as possible (especially the sub-floor).

WHY SHOULD I DRY THE SUBFLOOR? The subfloor is a structure that secures the top of the flooring, a thick flat surface on which all other layers rest. Usually, subfloors were made of concrete slabs. However, now they are made of plywood boards with thickness ranging from 19/32″ to 1 1/8.” In the case of water intrusion, plywood subfloors should be replaced in damaged areas.

DRYIN PROCESS

On the other hand, drying your wood floor is vital whenever water intrusion occurs, to prevent the surface from warping and mold from forming on the surface. In this sense, the best way to start the drying process is by placing fans or turning on your air conditioning system and opening all windows near the affected areas.

WATER DAMAGE SIGNS

The task of fixing your water-damaged floor depends on the time that it has been exposed to moisture. After the drying process, you can note a typical sign of water damage called “cupping.� Moisture causes the wood to expand, and the boards are pushed up together and deformed in the center.

DRY MOP YOUR FLOOR

When you are drying your wooden floor, the best is to use a dry mop. It can help to accelerate the slow method based on opening the windows, doors, and placing fans and dehumidifiers.

REPLACING YOUR FLOORS

If you have parquetry, you should replace the boards and install new pads beneath the damaged areas. Although solid wood is more resistant to water than parquetry, you must install raw wood and then refinish the affected area.

In the same way, when refinishing your hardwood floors, you can rent a sander to smooth out your new flooring boards. Next, when you stain your new floor to match the old flooring, the best is to apply several coats of polyurethane finish to the surface.

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