How to Dry Wood Floors After Flood & Water Damage
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Flood and Water Intrusion Standing water caused by flood and water intrusion can be disastrous to your hardwood flooring. These situations can be typical in flood-prone areas. In this context, it is widely known that water is the worst enemy of hardwood floors. Stagnant water on the surface of hardwood floors in Charlotte, NC, can permanently damage the wood through moisture absorption.
A Quick Response
When your home is suffering from water intrusion or flood, a quick response is key to save your hardwood floors. Hence, the first 24 hours are vital to prevent your floors from longer water exposure. The longer the wood is in contact with water, the worse the damage will be.
Water Damage According to the experts on hardwood floors, wood can get wet for a variety of reasons. For example, it can be affected by a flood from outside caused by heavy rain, as well as leaky pipes, water spills, or groundwater. Under conditions caused by water exposure, wood gets wet and absorbs moisture and, therefore, begins to expand and eventually cup or warp.
What To Do When Your Hardwood Floors Get Wet? The first thing is to remove all floor coverings such as rugs, carpets, and mats. This is because your carpets and rugs are soaked, and they must be removed before the flooring absorbs the water. Next, it is vital to dry visible water immediately by mopping and toweling it. Another excellent tool to dry the surface can be a shop vacuum on “wet mode� that allows you to remove large amounts of water.
Cleaning Your Floor In the case of flooding, scrub your floors with a stiff brush using a mix of detergent and a compatible disinfectant. During this procedure, avoid wetting your flooring excessively. Scrub the surface until you remove all dirt to avoid mold growth.
In the case of major water intrusion, remove a few boards to allow the others to expand and dry the subfloor. In the same way, use fans to circulate air inside your home. And finally, keep the windows and doors open if moisture is lower outside.
Call The Professionals
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