Your hardwood floors tie your whole home together, but sometimes, disaster can strike and leave your beautiful floors underwater. This may sound like the end, but don’t worry—it’s far from it.
The water damage restoration experts at PureDry are here to guide you through the repair process. We have years of experience removing excess water and restoring damaged areas to pre-loss condition, and we want to transfer this experience into your hands.
If your hardwood floors are severely damaged, we recommend contacting a company specializing in water damage restoration. But, for less extreme repairs, PureDry has the answers. Follow the steps in this blog, and your hardwood floors should look better than ever.
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Assessing the Damage
The first step in how to fix water damaged hardwood floors is to assess the damages. To fully understand your project’s scope and needs, you must identify and note all problem areas. Once you know exactly what you’re dealing with, you can properly plan for renovation.
Signs of Water Damage on Hardwood Floors
Water damage appears in many forms with varied degrees of severity. Before repairing water damaged hardwood floors, you need to look for the following:
- Mold Growth: Consistent exposure to water can result in mold and mildew growth.
- Discoloration: Hardwood floors may take on dark spots when covered in water.
- Cupping: This is when the edges of wood planks curl upward.
- Crowning: When a wood plank’s center rises further upward than its edges, it is crowning.
- Buckling: In severe cases, wood planks may come entirely loose from the floor.
Determining the Severity
Once you identify the signs of water damage on your hardwood floors, you can properly assess and determine the severity. For mild to moderate damages, you could certainly repair your floor on your own. Severe damages will likely require professional attention.
PureDry’s wood floor water damage services are highly rated and available 24/7, preventing mold growth and foul smells from dominating your home. We use safe and efficient methods to restore the ground beneath your feet in no time.
Preparing for Restoration
If you have a strong plan and the right mindset, then let’s get started. To begin your restoration process, you should gather the following supplies and take the following precautions.
Tools and Supplies
Repairing water damaged hardwood floors requires gathering the right supplies. Before you get to work, make sure you have the following items by your side:
- Safety goggles, gloves, and a mask
- Fans
- Wet vacuum for hardwood floors
- Dehumidifier
- Sander
- Wood filler
- Wood stain
- Polyurethane finish
Safety Precautions
Look at the first items on your list of tools and supplies. Goggles, gloves, and a mask are essential for any renovation project, so make sure to wear them at all times—you will stay protected from dust and chemicals rising into the air. If you can, open some windows and activate your fans. You will want to keep your working area properly ventilated.
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Ultimate Guide to Restoring Water-Damaged Wood Floors
Now that you have the right plan and the right tools, it’s time to get to work. This is how to repair water damaged hardwood floors.
1. Remove Excess Water
To remove excess water, use a wet vacuum for hardwood floors. Take your time with the vacuum so that you remove all water and stunt mold growth.
2. Dry the Area
After using the vacuum, set up a dehumidifier and fans to dry the affected area. This can take a few days, so it’s important to be patient. You will need a completely dry floor before moving to step 3.
3. Sanding the Floor
Damaged and warped wood can only be remedied with a sander. You should use a drum sander to correct larger areas and an edge sander for corners and edges.
4. Filling Gaps and Cracks
Gaps, cracks, and holes can be fixed using wood filler. When choosing a wood filler, make sure it matches your floor’s color.
5. Staining the Floor
After smoothing out your floor and filling in gaps, apply a wood stain matching your floor’s original color.
6. Applying Finish
You’re almost there. To protect your floor and make it look new again, apply a polyurethane finish. Read the label on your finish for extended instructions, and you may need to lay down multiple coats for best results.
7. Polishing
Once your finish has dried, there’s just one more thing to do—polish the floor. It’s bound to look good as new.
Preventative Measures
After you have restored your floor, you should take the necessary steps to prevent water damage from returning. Here are some ways to avoid future water damage to your hardwood floors.
Regular Maintenance
Cleaning your floors on a regular basis will keep them looking new for years to come. Be sure to avoid harsh chemicals and unsafe cleaning practices.
Immediate Spill Cleanup
If water sits on wood for too long, it can stain and damage it. By immediately cleaning up a spill, you avoid any potential issues.
Control Indoor Humidity
Balance is key. If your indoor humidity level is too high, wood may expand. If your humidity level is too low, wood may crack. The sweet spot is between 30% and 50% humidity.
Proper Ventilation
Make sure that your home ventilation systems are working properly. Insufficient ventilation can lead to high moisture levels and mold growth on your floor.
Use of Mats and Rugs
Mats and rugs can reduce the amount of water and dirt tracked around your home. In the long run, this can be a great defense against unsuspected mold growth and wood expansion. Be wary of rubber floor mats, though—they can hold moisture and lead to further damage.
Regular Inspections
Every now and then, you should look for water damage and mold growth on your floors. Be especially vigilant in high-risk areas such as basements.
Sealant Reapplication
Wood floors will wear down over time, just like anything else. You can keep them protected from excess moisture by reapplying sealant as necessary.
Avoid Standing Water
Be sure to remove any standing water from your floors, as this water can quickly sink into wood. Standing water can commonly appear while you are washing dishes or watering houseplants.
Professional Check-ups
PureDry’s water removal and extraction experts can help provide thorough maintenance advice during a check-up. We inspect every inch of your floors to ensure that you have no problem areas, but if you do, we can repair them on the spot. Maintenance check-ups are encouraged after your home experiences extended humidity issues.
Trust PureDry With Repairing Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
If you’ve encountered water damage or mold growth on your hardwood floors, contact PureDry. We specialize in fixing water damaged hardwood floors and can equip you with all the necessary knowledge to prevent future incidents.
As Greater Seattle’s trusted water damage restoration company, we help you however we can. Water damage can take a toll on both your emotions and wallet, which is why we help you receive as much insurance compensation as possible.
PureDry saves your floors from disrepair, and we help you save money at the same time. Contact PureDry to fix your water damaged hardwood floors today.
You can call our 24/7 emergency service at (425) 374-0027 or book an appointment online.
