how to repair wood floor damaged by water

^{How to Repair Water Damaged Wood Floors}

1. Remove Water. Mop and soak up any surface water. If you have one, you can even use a water vacuum to quickly suck it all up.
2. Clean the Floor. Use a wood-safe disinfectant to clean away any particulates that were present in the water. Cleaning the wood also helps prevent mold growth.
3. Dry the Floor. 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 ...
4. Sand the Floor (note: this is only for crowning or cupping floors) Gently sand down the raised edges until the floor is smooth and flush with the other boards. ...
5. Reset the Boards. When boards are popping out every which way, carefully nail or screw in the raised edges. ...

Full Answer

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 you fix water damaged hardwood floors?

Step 4: Fixing water-damaged floors

• Remove the surface water. Wood fibers rapidly absorb water but tend to release the water more slowly, meaning you should use a shop vacuum to start pulling out the water ...
• Clean the floor and treat moldy areas. ...
• Run drying equipment and wait until the wood fully dries. ...
• Sand the floor. ...
• Stain and refurnish. ...

How do you fix a wood floor?

Pros of Engineered Hardwood Flooring

• Costs less than solid hardwood flooring;
• Easier to install for DIYers;
• Available in a variety of widths and finishes;
• Can be glued down to concrete or floated;
• More resistant to warping and water damage.

How does water damage hardwood floors?

• 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.

Can hardwood floors be repaired after water damage?

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 a buckled hardwood floor with water damage?

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.

Does water damaged wood need to be replaced?

The longer the water can do its damage, the more likely it is that you'll need to entirely replace your hardwood flooring. If you're not exactly sure when the damage occurred, here are some signs that the water has had too much time to wreak havoc: The floors are stained and discolored. Some boards are buckling/cupping.

What does hardwood floor water damage look like?

Staining: Staining is simply the discoloration on the hardwood floors, due to water damage. Staining comes in two forms, white stains and black stains. White stains come in the form of white circles on your hardwood floors. They indicate that the floor's finish has been mildly damaged, due to the build-up of moisture.

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.

Will cupped hardwood floors flatten out over time?

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 reverse water damage on wood?

Undo water damage. Start by placing a clean, thick towel on top of the stain. With your iron on a dry low-to-medium setting, press over the towel (making sure the soleplate doesn't touch the wood) for several seconds. The gentle heat will warm the finish enough to release the moisture into the towel.

How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?

The first 24 hours are critical, and the longer the wood is in contact with water, the worse the damage will be. 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).

How do you fix rotted wood without replacing it?

0:033:30How to Fix Rotted Wood with Epoxy | This Old House - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.MoreAnd uh the bottom of the mullion post was rotted so i cut out the rot i mixed up a two part epoxy.

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.

What can I use on water-damaged wood?

To fix watermarks or stains on wood, you should have applied marine-grade polyurethane to the wooden furniture in the first place. But, you can still remove watermarks through some other alternative methods.

How do you dry buckled hardwood floors?

Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours. Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible.

How do you fix a swollen wood floor?

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.

How do I fix my hardwood floor from lifting?

0:002:28how to repair a popping floor ,glue-down,or floating PART 1YouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThora seems to be popping up over here there's also moisture content simply the drill hole 16 of anMoreThora seems to be popping up over here there's also moisture content simply the drill hole 16 of an inch will use my horse syringe.

How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?

The first 24 hours are critical, and the longer the wood is in contact with water, the worse the damage will be. 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).

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...

How to deal with water damage on wood?

The best way to deal with water damage is to keep it from happening in the first place. Make sure you have the proper sealant to protect your wood, and don't forget to reapply it every few years.

What to do if water gathered on floor?

The water that gathered on your floor was likely dirty (especially if this water came from a floor or a leak). To remove any dirt or harmful bacteria, you brush the entire floor with a stiff, scrubbing brush.

Why does my hardwood floor feel squishy?

Your hardwood flooring shouldn't feel squishy when you take a step. If it does, odds are the structure underneath the flooring is rotted or damaged. This might mean you have a leak under your flooring or that it absorbed a lot of water from a spill or a flood.

Why does my hardwood floor smell like mold?

Does something smell like mold when you walk into your home? If you can't figure out the source of the odor, it might be your floor. Moisture in or under the floor can make your hardwood start to mold.

How long does it take for a floor to dry?

Open the windows and doors to allow more airflow through the space. This drying process may take several hours or, depending on how much water seeped into your flooring, several days.

Why does wood warp?

Since wood swells up when it absorbs water, it can warp out of shape. If you notice any bubbling on the surface of the wood, curling at the edges, peeling, or otherwise odd-looking shapes, your wood is very wet (or at least was at one point).

What happens if you leave a floor alone for too long?

The longer you wait, the worse the damage will get. If you leave it alone for too long, you may end up having to replace the floor.

What to do if water damage to wood floors?

Clean Your 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.

What is the best way to check if a floor is dry?

A moisture meter will check to make sure that the floors are completely dried. If you have a dehumidifier, that will help remove quite a bit of excess moisture.

Does Water Ruin Hardwood Floors?

Once water is absorbed by hardwood floors, moisture can spread throughout a plank and cause swelling in some areas while other parts remain dry due to how porous wood really is. This usually leaves you looking at unsightly bulges across your wood floor where water collects over time, only adding more wear on top!

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.

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.

Can a rug soaked in water damage wood floors?

Not only will this help save items such as furniture and rugs, it’ll limit the amount of water that saturates your floors. If left unattended, a soaked rug could cause potentially irreparable damage to your wood floors.

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.

How does wood change color?

First, wood flooring changes color over time as sunlight darkens or lightens the wood, depending on the species. When you sand a floor, the original color of the wood is often revealed and even when the exact same stain is applied, can appear a slightly different color.

Why does my dishwasher leak water?

For some reason, the plastic, flexible drain hoses are so cheaply made that within a few years, cracks can form that drip water down to the floor.

Why do plastic hoses crack?

Because the plastic hoses must make a bend or two, and are often longer than required, tight bends will crack over time, creating a hidden leak that can ruin your wood floor. No matter what the source of the water, the leak must be found and fixed before repairs to the flooring can be made.

Can you remove a wood plank from a subfloor?

Removing the affected hardwood planks is just the first step in mapping out the flooring to be repaired. As the top layer of wood is removed, the plywood subfloor must also be inspected to insure its integrity. If the subfloor is moldy or substantially weakened by the water, then the hardwood top layer must be pulled off, even if it appears unaffected by the water.

Can you use prefinished wood flooring?

However, if you’re replacing the damaged boards, using pre-finished flooring can make the task easier as the stain and protective coating, applied at the factory, improve both quality and consistency. It is important to note that replacing damaged planks with native materials is the surest way to guarantee a match. You should always keep some attic stock from any wood floors that you have installed.

Do you have to remove planks from existing flooring?

Just as important, because new wood will be weaved or laced into the existing flooring, rather than simply cutting in a rectangular patch from the affected area, the flooring contractor must remove planks selectively in a natural looking pattern to provide the most seamless repair possible.

Can water get into wood flooring?

That being said, water is an insidious foe of wood flooring and even if the polyurethane is in good shape, a continuous drip of water from an unknown source will find a way into the wood.