A hardwood floor is a valuable asset to a home, and it can be very distressing when one receives hardwood floor water damage. After any type of home disaster, there are a few steps you can take to help limit the damage caused and help you start on the road to repairing water damaged hardwood floors in your home. It is important to dry your floors as quickly as possible to prevent more damage in the form of mold, warping, or rot.
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Step-By-Step Instructions
Step 1: Start Removing Debris and Water
Hardwood floor water damage repair starts with limiting the amount of damage caused. If you see any standing water or dampness on the floor, wipe it up with a towel or use a shop/wet vac to remove the more obvious moisture.
Step 2: Dry the Floor and Sub-Floor
Rent a number of large fans and get a dehumidifier. Place several fans pointing at the water damaged potion of the floor. If there is a another floor, basement, or crawlspace underneath, place another fan in that area and point it upwards to help dry the sub-floor. Leave the dehumidifier running in the room, use the air conditioning if you have it, and leave nearby windows open on dry days to give the moisture somewhere to go.
Step 3: Drill Holes in Sub-Floor
If at all possible, drill a few small holes in the sub-floor in order to allow water to drain. Water pooling in this area can be very hard to remove without taking this step.
Step 4: Talk with your Insurance Company
Talk to your insurance company about whether the damage is covered. Certain insurance companies will have specific policies when it comes to hardwood floor water damage repair. They may require that the entire floor is removed and replaced, in which case trying to save the floorboards would be a waste of money.
Step 5: Remove Boards If Necessary
If there is substantial swelling due to your hardwood floor water damage, you may have to remove a board or two of the floor in order to relieve the pressure and prevent cracking.
Step 6: Prepare for Refinishing
Wait until you are certain the floor is dry before starting any refinishing. Repairing water damaged hardwood floors before they are completely dry will result in a further warped floor. The entire process might take as long as six months, so be patient. Once it has thoroughly dried, clean the floor and prepare for refinishing.
Step 7: Repair Buckled Floor Parts
Try to repair buckled floors by using nails to attach them to the lower sub-floor.
Step 8: Level the Floor
Attempt to sand down raised areas to make the floor level again. This may shorten the lifespan of your hardwood floor, but it will greatly improve the appearance and give you a level floor again.
Step 9: Kill Mold Where Necessary
If any mold has grown on your hardwood floors, use a mild solution of trisodium phosphate and water to scrub away the damage. This should kill the mold and help you lift the stains in the area. If the mold has grown deep into the wood, you may need to sand down the area and use household bleach to kill remaining spores.
Step 10: Paint or Refinish your Hardwood Floor
Finish up your repair project by painting or refinishing the wood.
Hello, i am John and have over ten years experience in water damage clean up, water damage restoration and water damage mold. During my career i noticed that a lot of homeowners are uninformed about water damage and it's consequences. This site provides you with how-to guides and lots of information on water damage and everything what's involved.