Water is to wood as oil is to water; they aren’t compatible. After a flood, the lifespan of hardwood floors becomes a matter of time since water pools and absorbs quickly. The aftermath of flooding often leaves warped, damaged, or discolored flooring which must be restored. So, can hardwood floors be saved after a flood? Here’s how water damage restoration will help.
- What happens when your hardwood absorbs water?
Wood absorbs moisture from the air, weather-related floods, or leaky appliances or pipes in the home. As the wood gets wet on the top, it causes cracks to form in the planks. As it penetrates through porous wood material, it starts to warp the flooring and sub-flooring. Home and business owners then also have to worry about mold and mildew growth.
- Why did my wood warp?
Wood warps as the moisture dries at an uneven rate. When one part dries faster than the other, it causes wood to shrink. As the wood continues to dry, the wood bends or cups. From a small spill to a large flood, hardwood floors also show signs of distress over time.
- Can hardwood floors be saved after a flood?
When it comes to repairing or replacing hardwood flooring, time is money. The amount of time wood is exposed to water is relevant to the amount of damage you should expect to encounter after a flood. Unfortunately, it isn’t always a matter of being able to go in right after a flood since water must recede before the damage can be assessed properly.
- How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?
The first twenty-four hours is critical to saving wood flooring. As the water recedes, the outer flooring may look dry while the sub-flooring may still be wet. It’s important during water damage restoration to first remove any wet sources (carpet, furniture, etc.) before using a wet vac to remove any additional water. A dehumidifier then extracts moisture.
Restore Pro technicians will then disinfect the area to ensure no contaminants are remaining from the flood. Lastly, it is necessary to dry the wood using professional-grade fans to ensure the surface areas are completely dried. Once water is removed quickly, Restore Pro can repair or replace wood beams that are buckling, cupping, or discoloring.
- How do you fix water damaged hardwood floors?
When our technicians gain access quickly, it is easier to save most, if not all, of your hardwood flooring because of the drying out process. After it is completely dry, it will be necessary to inspect each plank and replace the damaged ones. We then will sand the flooring and refinish it to make them look as they did when you first purchased the home. Not only does fixing water damaged hardwood floors save time, but it saves money.
- Will cupped hardwood floors flatten out over time?
If your hardwood floors experience cupping after a flood, it is possible to reverse the damage instead of having the planks replaced. Cupping appears when the planks are higher on the ends than in the middle. This hygroscopic process occurs when moisture is present and the wood swells before drying and shrinking. The cupping can be reversed.
If your home experiences a flood, don’t wait to call us at 1-800-847-0114 or reach out to us on our Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/RestorePro911/ for hardwood floor assistance.
