how to repair hardwood floor with water damage

How to Repair Water-Damaged Wood Floors

• Act Fast. If you notice any signs of water damage, you need to take care of the problem as fast as possible. ...
• Wipe Up the Water. Start by cleaning up any water that's still on the surface of your floor. ...
• Give the Floor a Good Scrub. ...
• Dry the Floor. ...
• Sand and Reseal. ...
• Call a Professional. ...

Full Answer

How to minimize water damage to your wood floor?

Required Items

• Stiff Brush
• Shop Vacuum
• Squeegee & Absorbent Cloth
• Mild detergent & Disinfectant
• TSP (trisodium phosphate for mold)
• Bucket & Rubber gloves
• Fans or Carpet Criers

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...

Can water-damaged hardwood floors be fixed?

Depending on the severity of damage, the hardwood floors may only need to be refinished. In some cases patching is required to replace the damaged boards prior to refinishing. In the worst case scenario, the entire floor needs to be removed and replaced.

How do you fix a swollen wood floor with water?

If the floor is swollen from humidity, then you must set up ventilation fans to dry out the room. To speed up the process, a dehumidifier may also be set up in the room to help dry out the flooring and capture the moisture.

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.

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.

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.

How do you fix a hardwood floor that is bulging?

As mentioned, weather and moisture are the most culprits of buckling wood floors. If the buckling is minimal, you can try drying the damaged area and see if it returns to its normal shape. You can also try putting a little pressure or a heavy object on top of the buckled wood to settle it back to its place.

Can cupped hardwood floors be repaired?

To truly fix it, you must get to the source of the water damage. Once you've addressed that, you can try to get your wood floors back to their original beautiful state. For minor cupping, the fix might be as simple as returning the room to its normal humidity levels with a dehumidifier.

Will warped wood floor go back to normal?

Cupped flooring looks bad but it's almost always reversible. It can usually be corrected by simply restoring proper humidity inside the room, which will help balance out the moisture above and below the flooring.

Can mold grow under hardwood floors?

Mold grows on organic materials in environments with high humidity or trapped moisture. Unfortunately for your hardwood floors that means they are vulnerable to damage and mold growth underneath them when there has been water or flood damage.

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.

Will buckled floors go back down?

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.

How do you reverse swollen wood?

One notable solution in fixing swollen wood furniture is by drying it thoroughly before anything else. You can remove the moisture by letting it sit under direct sunlight for at least 24 hours rather than using artificial means such as a hairdryer or blower.

How do you fix a swollen floor board?

Laminate flooring that swells due to moisture should be disassembled and new pieces installed. To do this, remove the baseboard or quarter round and then take the flooring apart one row at a time until you reach the swollen section of flooring.

How do you fix swollen floorboards?

4:316:16Water Damaged Laminate Flooring-How To Fix It ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd go through each of the cracks. And the areas where the laminate flooring connects. And justMoreAnd go through each of the cracks. And the areas where the laminate flooring connects. And just really try and suck out as much water as possible.

Why is my floor bulging?

When a floor board starts to bulge, it's usually because it is warped. Hardwood floors usually warp because they have been exposed to water, or excessive humidity. The water causes the fibers in the wood to swell and shrink. A board that is severely bulged will most likely need to be replaced.

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.

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.

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.

What to do if you live in a high rise building?

Consider installing a moisture barrier, if necessary, and an appropriate sound barrier, such as cork, if you live in a high-rise building. It will help avoid future problems. Now you can start the process of selecting, cutting, sizing, and installing the new wood planks.

Is hardwood flooring good for a dance studio?

From offices to the home interior to the dance studio floor, hardwood floors are an ideal pick for every space.

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.

Can you replace planks that have water damage?

This is certain that you’ll have to replace the planks that are visually appearing damaged with water. But, there might be invisible mold, mildew, or water accumulation on the non-affected planks that may appear in the future. Therefore, you’ll also have to take additional planks out, surrounding the damaged planks.

Be Sure To Document the Level of Water Damage

Before you do any repairs, you want to take photos of your water damage and make notes about it. This will help you with any insurance claims. You also want to do some research into the water damage itself, which can help you to prevent the same issue from occurring again and damaging your floors again.

Will Repairs Do, Or Do You Need a Full Replacement?

Sometimes, a floor is damaged so much that you simply can’t make repairs and instead need to replace the entire floor. If your moisture content is too high on every board, it doesn’t make sense to repair it. The moisture content of your boards depends on how long it was exposed to water.

Figure Out What Caused the Issue

Once again, the biggest thing you need to tackle first is figuring out what caused the water damage to begin with. Most people will know what caused the issue, like a leak in the dishwasher or a flood from a fire, but sometimes the reason isn’t always apparent.

Fix Your Water Damaged Wood Floors

The sooner you fix your damaged wood floor, the easier it will be and the better chance you have. First, you want to secure the area and clean up all of the water. You don’t want to introduce any more water while you are working on your floors.

Fixing Your Wood Floors Is a Snap

Fixing your water-damaged wood floors doesn’t have to be the nightmare it is sometimes portrayed to be. It actually isn’t a difficult process at all if you only have a board or two that is water damaged. However, if almost every board needs fixing or nailing, then you may just want to replace the entire floor for the best results.

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 do I remove paint from hardwood floors?

First, scrape the paint off and use an abrasive cleaner to scrub the wood. Dry the floor with the method outlined earlier, and when completely dry, you can then refurbish your hardwood flooring.

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 do I clean mold off a floor?

Clean the floor and treat moldy areas. To thoroughly clean the floor, you will require a mild detergent combined with a compatible disinfectant such as Mr. Clean. Add the detergent and disinfectant to a bucket of warm, clean water and stir to ensure an even mixture .

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 does water saturate wood floors?

When water is allowed to saturate a wood floor the result is a condition we refer to as cupping pictured here: This happens because more moisture is absorbed by the unfinished underside of the boards causing the bottom of each board to expand more than the top.

What to do when your floor is dried out?

2. Sand and refinish. Once the floor has been dried out, hire a professional like Totta Hardwood Flooring to come sand and refinish your floor. The good news is that most of the time these types of situations are covered by home-owners insurance. Schedule Consultation.

What happens if you sand a floor before it is fully dried?

If a floor is sanded before it is fully dried, it will be flat initially, but have problems down the road. When the floor eventually dries out, you will get the reverse effect of the cupping referred to as crowning. The image shown illustrates the difference between the two. It’s not the end of the world if your floor gets wet.

How long does it take for wood to dry out?

However, this can take anywhere from 2-12 months depending on air-movement, temperature, and relative humidity in the home. When I go out on calls like this I always measure the moisture content of the wood. The important thing is that we eventually get consistent reading throughout the entire floor. Running a fan or small dehumidifier on your own can decrease the time it takes to dry the floor out

Can a dehumidifier dry out a floor?

There are many companies that offer dehumidifier services that can dry out your floors very quickly. This is a great option because you do not have to wait and many home-insurance providers will pay for this service. If you’re in the Kansas City area check out http://www.cwmrestoration.com

Identifying Water Types

The first step with all water damage is to find the source of the leak and stop it. You might need to turn off the supply to your home or call your plumber to help plug it. Once no more water is flooding onto the floors, you need to know just what type of water damage you are dealing with.

Signs of Water Damage on Your Floors

Next, it’s time to identify how your flooring reacted to the water. What you might assume is natural wear over time could really be telltale signs of water damage.

How to Repair Water Damaged Wood Floors

Once you’ve classified the water damage, stopped the source, and understand what type of damage you’re dealing with, you can begin to fix the floors.

Do I Need to Replace My Water Damaged Wood Floors?

In serious cases, you may need to replace your flooring. For example, if a leak occurred while you were on vacation, enough time may have passed for mold to grow — in which case the only safe option is replacing your floors. In fact, after 24 hours of water damage, mold can grow and floors could require replacement.

How to Prevent Damaging Your Wooden 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.

Need Help? Call All Dry USA!

Never attempt home repairs if you don’t feel comfortable or safe, or it’s dangerous (as in the case of black water flooding). Don’t start nailing down floorboards or renting an orbital sander if you don’t have the proper tools or time. Home repairs can turn into large projects very quickly, but you don’t have to go through it alone.

Why is water damage bad for your home?

Water damage is one of the biggest fears of homeowners everywhere because of the risk it poses to nearly everything in the home. For example, when not handled properly, water damaged hardwood floors can warp, develop mold, and drastically lower the value of your property.

What to do if rug is soaked?

If left unattended, a soaked rug could cause potentially irreparable damage to your wood floors. Next, using whatever you have, remove as much standing water from the floors as possible. A wet-vac will work best, but laying down towels and rags will help quite a bit.

Do you need to dry wood floors?

Once you’ve cleared, dried, and cleaned your floors, you’ll need to dry your floors once again. Continue to wipe the floors with whatever you can. Removing water from everywhere, including underneath cabinets or appliances, is vital to saving your wood floors. A moisture meter will check to make sure that the floors are completely dried.

Can water damage wood floors?

When dealing with water damage to wooden floors, water is not the only material that you have to watch out for. Depending on the source, there might be silt, mud, or other organic materials along with your unwanted moisture. Scrubbing your floors gets rid of these impurities and can prevent permanent damage to your flooring.

Do boards absorb water?

However, a large volume of water will seep in between the boards and get underneath. The untreated areas of the boards will absorb water and expand.

Can you save wood floors from flooding?

Remember, if you ever are facing a water damage issue in your own home, all is not lost. You can still save wood floors with immediate action and if necessary, help from professionals such as Jenkins Restorations.

How to get rid of mold in a room?

The most obvious sign of mold growth is the musty smell. If molds started to thrive in the room, use a bleach solution to kill off mold and spores.

Can you dry wood floors with fans?

You can dry the floor naturally using fans, but make sure not to apply any heat. Applying heat to wood may lead to mold growth and other problems. If the weather permits, open doors, and windows for proper air circulation. If the condition of the room is too humid, you may need to use a dehumidifier to remove moisture in the room.

Be Sure To Document the Level of Water Damage

Before you do any repairs, you want to take photos of your water damage and make notes about it. This will help you with any insurance claims. You also want to do some research into the water damage itself, which can help you to prevent the same issue from occurring again and damaging your floors again.

Will Repairs Do, Or Do You Need a Full Replacement?

Sometimes, a floor is damaged so much that you simply can’t make repairs and instead need to replace the entire floor. If your moisture content is too high on every board, it doesn’t make sense to repair it. The moisture content of your boards depends on how long it was exposed to water.

Figure Out What Caused the Issue

Once again, the biggest thing you need to tackle first is figuring out what caused the water damage to begin with. Most people will know what caused the issue, like a leak in the dishwasher or a flood from a fire, but sometimes the reason isn’t always apparent.

Fix Your Water Damaged Wood Floors

The sooner you fix your damaged wood floor, the easier it will be and the better chance you have. First, you want to secure the area and clean up all of the water. You don’t want to introduce any more water while you are working on your floors.

Fixing Your Wood Floors Is a Snap

Fixing your water-damaged wood floors doesn’t have to be the nightmare it is sometimes portrayed to be. It actually isn’t a difficult process at all if you only have a board or two that is water damaged. However, if almost every board needs fixing or nailing, then you may just want to replace the entire floor for the best results.

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 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 is my hardwood floor crowning?

Its usually caused by sanding a cupped floor before it completely dries up. Moisture build-up, wet mopping, and plumbing leaks are the main cause of hardwood floor crowning.

How to remove a wood plank?

For partial removal of wood, set a circular saw to a depth of the board thickness. Make a cut parallel to the damaged part. Use a chisel, screwdriver or pry bar to pry out the cut strip or the whole wood plank. In some cases, you will need a hammer to loosen the tongue and groove joints.

Can moisture build up on laminate floor?

Humidity can lead to gradual moisture build-up without even realizing it. Moisture build-up may also come up as a result of flooding. 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 you need to refinish hardwood floors after replacing buckled planks?

You’ll then need to refinish the entire floor after replacing the buckled plank to maintain a uniform look. Ensure you prevent moisture from flooding or sub-floor moisture buildup, drainage problems, or leaking pipes that may cause warping and swelling on your hardwood floors.