The number of homes with hardwood floors is steadily on the rise. The biggest reason being they sell homes faster and increase the value of them too. Hardwood floors are durable and complement the walls and furniture in your home. The only problem is that water can be a hardwood floor’s worst enemy and because our homes are exposed to water almost every day, you need to know what can happen if water is allowed to sit. Mike’s Custom Flooring presents a helpful guide.
Causes of Hardwood Floor Water Damage
Time is of the essence when it comes to saving your hardwood floors after water damage because when water sits on top of wood floors, it can permanently ruin the hardwood as the wood absorbs the water through its pores. Wood becomes wet for many reasons; flooding from storms or leaky pipes, tub or toilet overflow, ice dams, a leaky roof or a malfunctioning appliance. Water damage can occur after a fire with the water used to put it out, water spills and pet accidents can all force water into your wood floors.
Hardwood Floor Warping & Popping Damage
When wood absorbs water, it will cause the wood to expand and warp. If you have wood floors that warp, you’ll notice that the sides of the wood will swell and become higher than the center of the boards. This will create an uneven surface. Water can also seep in between the planks and absorb into the plywood sub-floor underneath your hardwood floors. Even engineered hardwood can have water seep through the planks and cause the glue to become loose. This can cause the floors to pop up as they expand. Water damage can also cause discoloration of hardwood floors. Remove water and dry it as quickly as possible to prevent any damage. The first 24 hours are crucial because the longer your hardwood is in contact with water the worse the damage will be. Most of the time floors can be saved if water is cleaned up quickly. At worst you may have to sand the spot or area and refinish it. This is less expensive than ripping it up and having to replace it.
White or Black Mold Spots on Hardwood Flooring
It’s important to take care of water on your hardwood floors as quickly as possible to save your floors, sub-floor and to prevent mold growth that comes with its own set of problems. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states that mold can grow in as little as 48-72 hours on almost any household material if the moisture level is 16% or higher. The moisture, temperature and layer of dust under a floor that is wet provides the ideal environment for mold growth.
Water Damage Repair & Restoration 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
A water damage restoration company uses proven methods to extract water and moisture from water damaged floors and many times the floors can be restored. If not, they can be repaired. You can trust the professionals at Mike’s Custom Flooring to get the job done. We repair and refinish hardwood floors, so they look like new again. Give us a call today!
