When your hardwood floor is damaged because of water, it can be more than disheartening. Hardwood floors are beautiful and expensive to replace, after all. While hardwood floors are extremely popular in homes today, they have one weakness, water. If your hardwood has been damaged because of a water leak, have no fear, all hope is not lost. Mike’s Custom Flooring is here to talk about what needs to be done when you have hardwood flooring that has been damaged by water.
How Do I Know if My Hardwood Floor is Water Damaged?
When your hardwood has been introduced to a large amount of water, it is important that you assess the damage before moving forward. There are usually a couple of different ways hardwood is affected by water.
– Cupping: This type of damage happens when the edges of the boards are curled up and raised while the center of the plank is much lower. This is usually the first sign you will see when your hardwood has been damaged by water. Sometimes, this is what happens when the underside of your hardwood is coming in contact with too much moisture.
– Crowning: This is the exact opposite of cupping. The outer edges are going to curl downwards while the center of the plank will be raised up. This type of damage usually occurs when there is more water on the top of the floor rather than the underside. Possible problems are heavy moisture during mopping or an appliance that has sprung a leak.
Are My Hardwood Floors Beyond Repair & I Need to Replace?
Not all water damage to hardwood flooring leads to total replacement. It will all depend on how quickly the problem is fixed. Whether it can be repaired or needs to be replaced will depend on how much water is on the floor and how long it was there. Here are some basic factors that determine whether repair or replacement is necessary.
– How long the hardwood was exposed to the excessive water
– The type of hardwood flooring you have, engineered hardwood or solid hardwood
– The severity of the damage and whether or not it has reached the subfloor
– The finish on your hardwood flooring and whether or not it can be matched
When Should Hardwood Floors Be Repaired?
If the damage is not extensive and has only affected a few of your floorboards, it is more than likely a problem that can be repaired without the need to replace your floor completely. Unfortunately, if the damage is extensive, you may end up with a total replacement and even some of the subfloor may need to be replaced as well.
Hardwood Floor Installation, Repairs, Refinishing & More in Charles Town & Eastern Panhandle of Berkeley & Jefferson Counties in WV | Winchester & Frederick County | Round Hill & Loudoun County | Berryville & Clarke County | Herndon & Fairfax County VA
If your hardwood has been damaged by water, you can turn to Mike’s Custom Flooring to help you either repair it or replace it depending on the damage. We will help you restore your wood floors so you can enjoy their beauty again. Call us today!
