Swollen Hardwood Floors From Water

Wood floors are susceptible to moisture and many may have been damaged prior to the single event that finally required action to be taken.

Swollen hardwood floors from water. One of the worst offenders is a pair of sopping wet shoes that sit for hours on the hardwoods even my wife has made that mistake. Many times the damage is the result of a combination of both. Minor water damage can be a result of small leaks or standing water from a spill. Find out how to repair an area of your hardwood floor that is swollen from water damage.

How to prevent hardwood floor buckling and cupping 5 tips 1. Sometimes if you let it dry out. Setting up ventialtion fans and a dehumidifier will remove moisture over the course of a few months. M ajor storms like sandy can cause extensive water damage to hardwood floors but panicked homeowners should not rush to replace what appears to be beyond repair.

Depending on how swollen the wood. If floors have cupped popped or cracked it may be an indication that the sub floor has experienced water damage as well. The wood floor swelling should go down then the flooring can be sanded and revarnished. Like solid hardwood floors damage to engineered hardwood floors can be the result of either a one time water event or an ongoing issue.

The first 24 hours are critical and the longer the wood is in contact with water the worse the damage will be. When the floor has dried to a more stable moisture level hardwood floor repairs can usually be made. If spilled water sits atop the flooring for too long or if moisture seeps into the wood from the subfloor it can eventually lead to a buckled hardwood floor. Scrub woodwork with a brush and detergent before floors are dry.

Before the floors totally dry take a non abrasive but stiff brush plenty of water and a non sudsing detergent and thoroughly clean your floors. If this has occurred it will also need to be replaced before installing new dry hardwood floor. If your house has flooded there will likely be mud and silt trapped in the crevices and corners of your floor. Get tips on cutting out the swollen part and replacing it with floor boards taken from a nearby closet or pantry.

Once the standing water is removed several boards can be taken up from the floor so that the air can circulate across and below the floor. Hardwood floors can be very damaged from water infiltration. You can then cover the closet or pantry floor with whatever s available and it won t be as noticeable. Minor water damage leaves you with hardwood floor boards that may be discolored and possibly swollen or cracked.

Speed is the key.