Wood Floor Water Damage Repair in Seattle, WA

Wood Floor Water Damage Repair & Restoration

Water and wood flooring don’t mix well. Even the smallest of spills can cause permanent water damage to wood floors if left untreated. The water not only damages the wood panels themselves but also the layer of subflooring below. It can cause a range of issues, including uneven surfaces, discoloration, and mold growth.

Take a look below at the top causes of water damage and how to spot them so you can nip this problem in the bud as soon as possible after the damage has occurred.

Top 3 Causes of Floor Water Damage

While you may want to stop water damage before it occurs, it’s not always preventable. After all, accidents are bound to happen. However, it doesn’t hurt to keep an eye out for the top three causes of water damage.

Find The Source

The leading cause of water damage to wood floors is leaking pipes. Common causes for leaking pipes include tree roots and frozen water. Tree roots can grow tightly around a pipe underground, squeezing enough that it breaks through the exterior.

When the outdoor temperature drops below freezing, the water in your pipes is likely to freeze. Since water expands when it freezes, it causes the pipe’s interior to stretch so much that it forms cracks and holes. When the temperature rises again and the frozen water melts, it escapes through any cracks and holes that formed during the freezing process.

Leaking Appliances

Household appliances that use water can also cause water damage. When you overfill your washing machine or your dishwasher malfunctions, the damage can be extensive.

Storm Flooding

Everything from thunderstorms and excess rain can cause water damage to your floors. All you can do in these situations is take proper precautions and stormproof your home as much as possible.

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How to Spot Hardwood Floor Water Damage

How to Detect Water Damage

Now you know what causes water damage, but how do you know when it has occurred? Look for these three telltale signs:

  1. Discoloration: Water often creates dark or faded patches on the wood flooring. Mold growth can also play a part in this process.
  2. Rising panels: Since wood is porous, wood floors absorb water when they get wet. The absorbed water loosens the panels, causing them to swell and lift out of place.
  3. Cracked wood: Excess moisture causes individual wood panels to form cracks across the surface.

To Replace or Repair Hardwood Floor Water Damage Spot?

The first question you must ask yourself after detecting water damage on wood floors is whether to repair or replace them. The answer to this question depends on how much flooring is damaged and to what extent.

If the damage is relatively minor and hasn’t impacted the subflooring, repairs should get the job done. Repairs can also suffice for water damage that only affects a small section of flooring.

On the other hand, water damage can leave wood flooring unsalvageable. Excess water exposure can seep into the subflooring, and untreated water damage can cause mold growth that poses health risks. And just because you can repair the flooring doesn’t mean you should. A total replacement might end up being a better long-term investment.

The 5 Types of Water Damage to Hardwood Floors

Below is a list of the top five issues caused by water damage to hardwood floors:

  1. Cupping: Cupping occurs when excess moisture causes the edges of each wood panel to rise above the center portion, creating an uneven surface.
  2. Crowning: Crowning occurs when excess moisture causes the center of each wood panel to swell above the edges, creating an uneven surface.
  3. Buckling: Buckling occurs when excess moisture causes the wood panels to separate from the subfloor underneath.
  4. Splits and cracking: Rather than rising evenly and separating from the subfloor, the wood panel forms several cracks across the surface. Wood panels that form splits or cracks must be replaced because the wood is left unprotected.
  5. Gapping: Unlike the above issues, gapping is caused by moisture insufficiency rather than excess moisture. The lack of moisture causes the panels to shrink and form gaps on either side. Thankfully, the panels will return to normal when the humidity level stabilizes. Gapping is a relatively minor issue and doesn’t always necessitate repairs or a replacement.

Reliable Hardwood Floor Water Damage Repair Service

Whether you’re not equipped to address water damage on your own or simply don’t want to deal with it, PureDry is here to help. We offer 24/7 emergency water restoration services for customers in Seattle and surrounding areas. As the leading water damage experts in Washington, you can count on us to make things right. When we’re done, your flooring will look as good as new.

Call PureDry at 425-600-7560 or click the button to schedule the service you need.

Water Damage Restoration FAQs

Frequent reasons for residential water damage include leaking or burst pipes, deteriorating roofs, and poor drainage systems. Factors that affect these areas include temperature changes, unregulated water pressure, and general decay of materials and structures.
Water damage restoration costs will vary depending on the severity the damage. The extent of water damage will determine the amount of time and methods that are necessary for proper restoration and clean up. Please inquire with our team to talk more about the details of your water damage restoration and how much you can expect to pay for water damage restoration from PureDry.
Our water damage restoration is full service, and will take care of the issue step by step. We will walk with you from the the initial inspection, to damage claim assistance with insurance, all the way to our final clean up and review.

With professional water damage restoration, you can rest assured that you are getting the most knowledgeable team of experts to address the source of water damage. We have decades of experience in the Seattle area, paired with state of the art equipment that are proven to be your most effective water damage solution. We are IICRC certified for water damage restoration projects and we are pre-approved by insurance companies. We should be your first and last call for water damage restoration!

A water damage restoration company will assess damage and devise a plan of action to clean up and restore the area affected by water damage. A GREAT water damage restoration company like PureDry will be your go-to service to respond to a water damage emergency. Our team of experts will help you through the entire process, from start to finish. We offer the best value when it comes to service with our experienced technicians, top-tier equipment and full transparency. We know that water damage can cause a headache, so we do our best to deter the stress that comes along with the restoration process.
Water damage can be a very serious issue to a home’s condition. Water damage can cause structural damage, such as compromised foundations or unsound walls and ceilings. Water damage can also affect the health and safety of its residents, as untreated water damage can lead to mold, causing airborne diseases and other respiratory hazards.

Depending on the factors of severity and location of water damage, the time it takes for an area of the home to fully dry out after water damage will vary between a day to several weeks. That being said, the average amount if time it takes to dry out mild water damage will be a few days. It is important to ensure the affected area is completely dry for best results.

Homeowners insurance only covers water damage if the cause of damage is sudden or accidental. This would include the event of a pipe burst, for instance. The damage caused by the pipe burst should be covered by the resident’s homeowners insurance.

The timeline of water damage is dependent on a number of factors. Whether it’s and immediate pipe burst and drainage failure, or long term corrosion and decay of internal and external structures, PureDry is able to tackle water damage at the source, no matter how bad the damage may seem. We are prepared to handle the situation, relying on our experience and expertise to take care of the problem for you.

Water damage is typically considered to be an infiltration of water to the interior of a home, causing damage that requires reparation and restoration. Water damage will be very obvious at times, and others may need to be assessed by a professional for proper inspection of possible serious or long term damage. There are four general types of water damage. The first action that a water damage restoration company takes is determining what type of damage and level of contamination that they are dealing with.

Seattle & Snohomish Areas We Serve

PureDry works with the following insurance companies.

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