how to repair a water damaged hardwood floor

How to Fix Water-Damaged Wood Flooring

1. Dry the Floor if it is Still Wet. If your water damage is new, you will need to dry the boards off before you can really assess the ...
2. Check for Extra Floorboards in Storage and Install Them. ...
3. Sand the Floor. ...
4. Clean the Sanded Hardwood Flooring. ...
5. Stain the Sanded Wood Floor. ...
6. Apply Polyurethane. ...

Full Answer

How can I protect my hardwood floors from water damage?

• Lifting up or actual pull up from the sub-floor can be a green-light for buckling damage.
• Puffed-up areas on the floor or crowning, especially in moisture damage areas.
• Wood floor cupping or when boards turn up on the edges.
• Gap and cracks between hardwood planks.

How to repair hardwood floor water damage step by step?

Wood Floor Water Damage and Repair

• Water Damage to Your Hardwood Floor. One of the most frequent problems we’re called in to address is water damage to hardwood floors. ...
• The Type of Wood Flooring You Have Affects the Repair Options Available. ...
• Sanding and Refinishing Water Damaged Flooring. ...

How to repair water damaged wood in 7 simple steps?

• Start to swell up from moisture and deform in structure/shape.
• The edges will start to swell up the most and with time will start to crumble and fall apart.
• Waterlogged Particle board can start to sag under the weight which can be extremely unsafe.

More items...

How do I fix water damage on my hardwood floor?

How to Remove Water From Wood Floors

• Remove Surface Water. Use a shop vacuum on "wet mode" (no bag) to remove as much water as possible from the surface of the flooring.
• Scrub the Floor. Mix a mild detergent and a compatible disinfectant (such as Mr. ...
• Treat Moldy Areas. ...
• Dry the Floor. ...
• Sand Water-Damaged Wood Flooring. ...
• Deal With Mold on Wood Under Paint. ...
• Replace Laminate. ...

Can water-damaged hardwood floors be fixed?

Depending on the damage, the hardwood floor may be repaired rather than being fully replaced. If there is minor damage then the majority of the floor can be saved and an isolated floorboard may need fixing. However, if the damage is major then the whole floor may need replacing and sometimes even the subfloor as well.

How do you fix water-damaged hardwood floors?

Resolve the Water Source Problem.Resolve the Surface Water.Scrub Clean the Wood Floor.Treat Mold, Mildew on wood floor.Dry Mop your Floor.Sand the Cupping Planks.Seal and Refinish the Floor.

How do you fix a buckled hardwood floor with water damage?

How Do You Fix Buckled Hardwood Floor?Fix the source of moisture. The first step would be to fix the source of the moisture on your floor to prevent any further bubbles and swelling that can spread the damage to new planks. ... Remove the warped plank. ... Replace the damaged planks. ... Refinish the Floor.

Will cupped hardwood floors from moisture flatten?

In some cases, if the cupping was not severe the flooring may flatten to an acceptable level with minor gapping after drying. Remember the flooring has lost moisture so some shrinkage will result. Before any repair or remediation the flooring should be checked for looseness.

Can wet hardwood floors be saved?

If you remove the water from your hardwood floors quickly and properly dry them, you may be able to save the wood (or most of it). Most likely, you will need to sand and refinish the wood afterwards, and then your floors will look (almost) brand new.

How do you flatten a swollen hardwood floor?

0:391:32How To Repair A Hardwood Floor - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYour washcloth should be a little more than damp with warm water and your iron set to medium-highMoreYour washcloth should be a little more than damp with warm water and your iron set to medium-high heat lay your washcloth on the floor on the damaged. Area and start ironing the floor.

Will warped wood floor go back to normal?

If the buckling is only minor, in many cases the boards might return back to normal. If the boards are still showing areas of damage and buckling, you'll need to replace them.

Can you repair hardwood floors that have buckled?

If your floor has buckled because of excessive humidity, first, you have to find the moisture conditions that allow the floor to dry to normal levels. Once the floor is dry, you can consider spot repairs and reinstallation as well as refinishing and renailing.

Will warped wood go back to normal?

Applying additional moisture and heat to the opposite side of the warp can cause the wood to warp back into its original flat position, effectively “unwrapping” the piece. Minor warping can usually be corrected with heat and moisture only, but for more severe warping, you may also need to apply pressure to the wood.

How do you dry cupped wood floors?

To dry out cupped hardwood floors, start by vacuuming up visible water and running industrial fans in the room. Once the area has begun to dry, bring in a dehumidifier to remove any excess moisture stuck in the wood's pores. Finally, use a moisture meter to check the area is completely dry.

How long does it take hardwood floors to dry after flood?

Drying the hardwood floor (patience is key) It may also be necessary to access the floor from below for faster drying. Effective drying of a hardwood floor is a slow process. It will sometimes take seven to 10 days for the floor to release enough water to halt the forced drying process.

How do you fix cupping wood?

0:305:16Cupping And Wood - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd there's different ways depending on how severe the cupping is that you can manage this you knowMoreAnd there's different ways depending on how severe the cupping is that you can manage this you know one one way is to actually cut the board in half rejoin the edges glued back together another.

Will warped wood go back to normal?

Applying additional moisture and heat to the opposite side of the warp can cause the wood to warp back into its original flat position, effectively “unwrapping” the piece. Minor warping can usually be corrected with heat and moisture only, but for more severe warping, you may also need to apply pressure to the wood.

How do you get water stains out of hardwood floors without sanding?

Make a paste of baking soda and water. Rub the paste into the stain using a microfiber cloth and leave for 24 hours. Apply furniture polish and leave to dry overnight.

Why has my wooden floor lifted?

Here's the most common reasons: Solid wood is a natural material, and as such it is very susceptible to moisture in the air and walls. If you have a damp problem in your house, or there is otherwise too much moisture in the room, the wooden floor can absorb this, and over time it will cause the boards to buckle.

Can you replace individual hardwood floor boards?

Your beloved hardwood floors' aesthetic can be easily upended by a rogue board with water damage, cracks, or grooves. But try not to fret—you can replace individual wood planks on your own without having to replace the entire floor.

An Ounce of Prevention Is Cheaper Than The Cost of Repairing Your Wood Floor

The first thing to mention is that your wood floor’s polyurethane coating is specifically intended to keep water and dirt from ever touching the wo...

How Can I Tell If I Have Water Damage on My Wood Floors?

The damaging effect of water on wood builds over time. By the time you notice a change in your wood floor, the water has already hurt the floor. On...

Where Did The Water Come from?

Before you try to repair the damage, the first question to ask is “where did the water come from?” An occasional spill won’t cause mold to form or...

The Type of Wood Flooring You Have Affects The Repair Options Available

As suggested in the Wood Flooring 101 section of our website, the type of wood flooring you have limits the range of possible repairs for your wood...

Sanding and Refinishing Water Damaged Flooring

Water-damaged boards that suffer from mild cupping or simple surface staining can be sanded down in the field, re-stained and re-coated. While this...

Replacing Damaged Flooring by Weaving in New Planks

For many water-damaged wood floors, the best way to repair the damage is to eliminate and replace the affected boards and then to refinish the enti...

What happens when wood is exposed to water?

When your hardwood flooring is exposed to water, it will lead to multiple unpleasant changes in the wood. The wood planks may lose their natural look or get damaged entirely.

What to do when you remove the top layer of plywood?

When you remove the top layer of wood, make sure to inspect the plywood base. If you find that the plywood subfloor is weakened by water or has mold growth, then make sure to pull off the top layers.

What causes wood planks to rust?

Water accumulation beneath wood planks results in mold growth. This mold combines with the tannins in woodturning color, resulting in staining. Tannins react when they come in contact with the water minerals. It leads to wood staining, or you may observe rust along the edges of a plank.

How to make old planks look new?

Sanding and refinishing will also make old planks look new and sleek as the wood loses its natural color over time due to sunlight and other factors.

Why does my wood floor look humpy?

If your wood floor is damaged with water, you may observe cupping of single planks or crowning of multiple planks, making them look hump. When the floor wood absorbs water, it expands. This expansion can make the whole plank or various planks buckling.

When is it time to install new flooring?

Once you’re sure that the concrete subfloor is dry, it’s time to install new flooring.

Can you refinish wood floors to repair water damage?

You may sand, refinish, and re-coat the wood floor to repair water damage, but is not a permanent solution. The best way to avoid and fix water damage for wood floors is to get them repaired. For this, you will have to take out the affected planks and replace them with new boards.

Why is my hardwood flooring water damaged?

Problems that cause damage to wood floors may happen due to persistent moisture over a long period. External sources are the first place to look to determine the cause.

How to tell if wood is water damaged?

Knowing how to spot the signs of water damage will help you catch the problem before significant damage occurs. Cupping and crowning are some clear signs that there is an issue somewhere.

What does it mean when your floorboards are cupped?

Each of the floorboards has a concave appearance. Cupping is the first sign that indicates there is a moisture problem in your floors.

What does crowning mean on a floor?

Crowning usually means that the moisture content at the top of the floor is higher than that at the bottom.

How much moisture does a flooded floor have?

The moisture content in any typical hardwood floor ranges between 6-12% and a flooded floor will have a moisture content of 40% ; which is why the damage can be severe.

How to get rid of mold on a carpet?

Scrub all the affected areas with the cleaner, ensuring the mold is gone together with its discoloration. Rinse the area with clean water and then dry the surface with a cloth.

Why do floorboards curl?

Since the moisture content is higher at the bottom than at the top, the bottom of each floorboard swells, making the top curl inwards while the sides of the boards swell around the center, bringing about the concave look.

How to dry out a house after cleaning?

To dry everything out as much as possible after cleaning, use fans, dehumidifiers, and open the windows so that everything thoroughly dries.

Why do floorboards curl?

The bottom of your floorboards absorbs more moisture, which causes them to expand. The bottom then swells, which makes them curl up.

How to stop mold growth in a house?

If you do see visible mold, be sure to clean it with some cleaner that will stop mold growth. Use that same cleaner to scrub the area, rinse it thoroughly with clean water, and then dry the surface as much as possible.

What does it mean when a floor is cupping?

Cupping is when the edges of the floor have lifted up and are higher on the edge than in the center. This means that the damage occurred from water vapor or direct water coming from under the floor.

What are the sources of water in a house?

You will need to look for external sources of water, like rain that comes in your home, cracks in the floor, or burst pipes. Internal sources can be appliances, water drips, pets, and even spilled glasses of water .

Can you sand a floor that has been cupped?

If the cupping is too significant, it cannot be sanded flat. Instead, you will want to nail the floorboards back down. Unfortunately, if your floors are cupped too much, you won’t be able to nail them down or sand them. In this case, the only thing you can do is pull up the individual boards and replace them.

Can you repaint a floor with mold?

If you have a lot of mold, you will want to restrain and repaint your floors. Painted floors, in particular, are known to encourage mold growth underneath the paint. You will have to strip the paint off the floors and repaint them. Use a cleaner in between paint and wood, and always dry everything out as you go. Do the same thing with your stain.

How to dry out a house after cleaning?

To dry everything out as much as possible after cleaning, use fans, dehumidifiers, and open the windows so that everything thoroughly dries.

Why do floorboards curl?

The bottom of your floorboards absorbs more moisture, which causes them to expand. The bottom then swells, which makes them curl up.

What does it mean when a floor is cupping?

Cupping is when the edges of the floor have lifted up and are higher on the edge than in the center. This means that the damage occurred from water vapor or direct water coming from under the floor.

What are the sources of water in a house?

You will need to look for external sources of water, like rain that comes in your home, cracks in the floor, or burst pipes. Internal sources can be appliances, water drips, pets, and even spilled glasses of water .

Can you sand a floor that has been cupped?

If the cupping is too significant, it cannot be sanded flat. Instead, you will want to nail the floorboards back down. Unfortunately, if your floors are cupped too much, you won’t be able to nail them down or sand them. In this case, the only thing you can do is pull up the individual boards and replace them.

Can you repaint a floor with mold?

If you have a lot of mold, you will want to restrain and repaint your floors. Painted floors, in particular, are known to encourage mold growth underneath the paint. You will have to strip the paint off the floors and repaint them. Use a cleaner in between paint and wood, and always dry everything out as you go. Do the same thing with your stain.

Can wood floors be repaired?

But the good news is that it’s not impossible.

How to keep water level in wood floors?

If you have a room prone to excess moisture, install a dehumidifier to keep the water level in the air regulated. Cover your wood floors with plenty of rugs, as it’s easier to dry cotton than wood.

How to get moisture out of wood?

Once you’ve pat-dried the clean wood, open the windows (if you are in a dry climate) or bring in a dehumidifier to remove all moisture from the room. Expect this to take up to a whole day. Don’t rush this step! Using a heater or hair dryer directly on the wood risks cracking it.

What happens when you pop floorboards out of the subfloor?

Buckling — when cupping and crowning go unchecked the floorboards can actually pop out of the subfloor which is then subject to its own damage. If you are tripping over your wood floor, it is probably buckling.

What does it mean when a subfloor buckles?

If buckling continues after you’ve followed every step above, this could be a sign the subfloor has been damaged as well, and you will need to dry and clean it before replacing the boards above.

What to do if you spill water on a laundry machine?

A gray water spill, like a laundry machine leak, will need to be thoroughly cleaned with wood-safe products before repairs can take place.

Can moisture damaged wood split?

Cracking and Warping — moisture-damaged wood can split and contort into any shape but the nice flat flooring you had.

Is water damage to hardwood flooring scary?

Everyone loves beautiful hardwood flooring and water damage is a scary prospect. But before you panic, follow these steps and save the day as a DIYer!

How Do You Fix Buckled Hardwood Floor?

Buckling may be caused by minor or extensive damage to your floor. Here’s how to fix bowing damaged hardwood floors.

Why do hardwood floors warp?

If there is one worst enemy to wood floors, it got to be moisture. When hardwood floors get exposed to moisture for an extended period, they start to warp and get damaged. But, how do you fix the warping on hardwood floors?

Why do you need to remove planks from a floor?

You may need to remove the damaged planks from the floor if the moisture has caused irreparable warping and buckling. Do it carefully to avoid damaging the other wood planks. Depending on the extent of moisture damage, you may remove part of the plank or the whole plank.

Why does my laminate floor buckle?

Moisture generally triggers floorboards expanding, contracting and at the end lift up after water saturation. Warping problems also may occur and affect your laminate floor. Do laminate expand and contact? This also does cause buckling in laminate and other solid hardwood floors.

How to tell if hardwood floor is buckling?

Signs of buckling hardwood floor. Lifting up or actual pull up from the sub-floor can be a green-light for buckling damage. Puffed-up areas on the floor or crowning, especially in moisture damage areas. Wood floor cupping or when boards turn up on the edges. Gap and cracks between hardwood planks.

How to replace warped wood planks?

For this step, you will need new hardwood planks to replace the warped ones you removed. Ensure the color, finish, and shine are the same for better consistency. Measure the plank needed and cut off the plank that fits the cut damaged piece.

Why does moisture build up?

Moisture build-up may start as a result of simple water spills, especially if not immediately wiped up.

How much water damage can you remove from solid wood floors?

With solid hardwood floors, you can sand and scrape away up to a quarter of an inch off the wood to remove water damage on the surface. This type of flooring can also have replacements for individual planks.

How to tell if a floor is water damaged?

Often times the first sign there is a problem, and there is water damage, is when individual planks are cupping or several begin to crown causing a hump in the floor. Water absorption in the wood of your floor causes expansion, which is most noticeable in the edges of the board that are turning upward or when planks begin to buckle.

What percentage of moisture is in a hardwood floor?

An acceptable or normal moisture content in hardwood flooring usually ranges between 6 and 12 percent, but flooded wood flooring can often have up to a 40 percent moisture content, which means there is severe damage. Hardwood flooring retains water and if it is left to dry on its own then the moisture retained has more time to sit causing greater damage.

Why is engineered wood not resistant to water?

Because the core of engineered wood flooring is not resistant to water, the floor will become damaged if water is allowed to soak into it. You'll know there's water under your engineered wood floor when your floorboards start to buckle and warp. Similarly, flooring made from genuine hardwood is also a permeable and will absorb any water ...

What are the factors that determine the type of flooring you have?

These determining factors include: How much time the floor has been exposed to water. The type of flooring you have, whether solid or engineered hardwood. How much damage there is and if the water has seeped into the subflooring.

Why do you use a water vacuum?

When you wipe up smaller amounts of liquid or use a water vacuum, it will help eliminate excess water from being absorbed into the hardwood and will be able to dry fully quicker. A small amount of water can be easily cleaned and can dry by itself and will gradually get back to looking normal again.

How to tell if water damage is coming from a leak?

Another warning sign that water damage has occurred is when a black or dark sta in runs along the edge of a plank or across several. When this type of stain is visible it is often due to mold growth. These water damaged signs come from a consistent water source that may have come from a leak of some kind within your home.