If you come home to a water spill, a leaky appliance, or have to deal with the aftermath of a flood, here is what you need to know to determine if your water damaged wood floor can be saved. Water can cause damage in three different ways to a floor. You’ll want to pay attention to these areas to determine how much damage there is, and what can be done to fix or replace your wood floor.
Look for water damage at:
- The top of your flooring, including the surface and finish of your wood floors.
- The body of the floor, which would be the structure and shape of the boards beneath the finish coating.
The fastening system and subfloor level. This would include the glue or nails that hold your floor to the subfloor and the subfloor itself, which could be concrete or wood.
How to determine if you have water damaged floors
These frequently asked questions and answers about water and wood will help you determine how much damage you have and what you can do about it.
What are the signs of a wet or water damaged wood floor?
If your floor is wet to the touch or has visible moisture on the surface, or you notice water seeping through the seams of the boards when you step on them, you may have further water damage. Other symptoms and problems to look for are:
- Dark or discolored areas
- Warped boards
- Blistered or peeling finish
- Loose or uneven boards
- Boards that are buckling or coming up off the subfloor
- Squeaky spots or areas of the floor that move when stepped on
- Cupping or rippling between boards
- Delaminating layers of engineered flooring boards
- Elevated moisture readings using a digital wood floor moisture meter
What do water damaged wood floors look like?
The most common symptoms you may see in water damaged floors are surface or structural issues. You may notice areas of discoloration in the wood, including dark or light patches, or finish that is blistering or peeling off the floorboards. Structural issues will likely be changes to the shape of the board, including cupping, rippling, or warping.
How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?
A simple spill or splash from a sink or water glass is not likely to damage your floors if it is mopped up as soon as it is noticed. Many small spills are likely to evaporate before they cause significant damage.
However, large water leaks, floods due to storms, or slow leaks or drips that go unnoticed for a long period of time can cause damage. The longer the wood is exposed to elevated moisture, the higher the chance it will be damaged. Whenever a floor is flooded due to a storm, you should always assume that you have water damage that will need to be addressed.
What you should do after finding a leak or flood affecting your floor
Once you have an idea of where the water is coming from, you will need to stop the water from coming in as quickly as possible. Then, begin to dry out your flooring to have a full understanding of what damage may have occurred.
What should I do if I suspect a water leak?
If you suspect or see a water leak, you should shut off the water to the appliance or the whole home as quickly as possible. You may have to call a plumber if you do not know where your water shut off valve is.
Your first goal should be to remove any visible water from your flooring either with towels or a dry mop, and then bring in fans or air movers to help dry things out further. You should call a flooring professional who can test the moisture content of your wood flooring to determine if water has soaked into the floorboards themselves. This is an important step if you have had a major leak or suspect a hidden leak that has gone on for an unknown amount of time.
Just because the visible water has been removed from the surface of your flooring doesn’t mean that your flooring boards are fully dried out. Once you know the moisture content of the wood flooring itself, you’ll be able to determine the next steps to take.
Contact us vchflooring@gmail.com
VCH Flooring stands by the promise to do the job right. They can assess the condition of the surface and recommend the best option for your specific needs and budget. Our professional installers will perform services consistent with the industry standards to your satisfaction. If you have concerns after the installation, contact us within 60 days and the services with be re-done at no additional cost. Product warranties vary by manufacturer. Because we are a services company and do not manufacture products, we only warranty our services with the DONE RIGHT GUARANTEE. We will disclose the warranties before the work begins as part of our transparency policy to be good neighbors who serve the community with excellence.
VCH Flooring 1812 Underwood Blvd, Delran, NJ 08075. https://vchflooring.com/contact-us/ 856- 393- 1310