Do you find yourself with the task of restoring dried out hardwood floors? When you move into a home or have hardwood floors that have dried out, you will need to rehydrate the wood to restore the floors. There are a number of different ways you can rehydrate your dried out wooden floors. Mike’s Custom Flooring would like to share how you can identify dehydrated wood and what method you can use to rehydrate your hard wood floors.
Can Hardwood Floors Dry Out?
Most people will look at their hardwood floors and might notice they look a bit dry. They may even have some cracks. However, there are different levels of dehydration. Minor dryness will not require the equivalent repair as that of extremely dry wood. To better determine if your wooden floors are dehydrated, the best method to test the wood is with a hygrometer. A hygrometer measures the moisture content in the floors. On average, most hardwood floors should have around 50% moisture. If the hygrometer reveals that your wood has less than 50%, your wooden floors are dehydrated. Some of the other visual signs that the wooden floors are dehydrated can include gripping, cupping, shrinking and squeaky floors. When your hardwood floors are dehydrated you will want to take steps to rehydrate your hardwood floors right away.
How Do You Rehydrate Hardwood Floors
When it comes to rehydrating hardwood floors there are a few different ways you can return moisture into your floor. One of the first steps is one that is a great start to any of these methods. First, you will want to set up a humidifier in the room with your hardwood floors. By adding moisture into the air, you will allow the wood to absorb the needed moisture slowly and safely.
Water Base Polyurethane – In addition to using humidifiers, you will want to also treat the hardwood floors with a water based polyurethane. In using a water based product, it helps to put moisture back into the wood and put a glossy coat on top of the flooring’s surface. The polyurethane coating will also help to keep the moisture into the wood longer. A water based polyurethane coating will help to put moisture into the wood and seal the wood ensuring the wood remains hydrated.
Oil Base Urethane – Another way you can put moisture back into your hardwood floors is by using an oil based urethane product. You will want to use an oil based urethane product when the wood is only slightly dry. If the hardwood floor isn’t super dried out just yet, you will want a water based product. An oil based urethane will help add some moisture as well as a protective coating that helps to maintain the moisture in the wood.
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Before using either a water base or an oil based product, the surface of the hardwood floor will need to be sanded or refinished before applying the protective coating. If you find you need help restoring dehydrated hardwood floors, contact Mike’s Custom Flooring for hardwood refinishing and other flooring services today.
