Water is one of the greatest threats to hardwood floors. With flooring costs from $7-$25 per square foot, your floors were probably a large investment in your home, one that you would like to keep in good condition. To keep your floors in mint condition, some precautionary steps should be taken. However, in the case of water damage emergencies, a timely and professional response is essential to preserve your floors.
Signs of Water Damage to Hardwood
Unfortunately, once you notice signs of a leak, burst pipe or water damage, the damage is already done. Let’s look into some of the initial signs of water damage. Knowing these can help you address the issue as soon as possible and salvage what you can of your floors.
- Warped Floorboards
- Blistering or Peeling Finish
- Rippling Beneath Boards
- Delaminating of Layers
- Loose or Uneven
- Floorboards
- Squeaky Spots
- Soft Floorboards
- Mold or Mildew Between Floorboards
What to do After Finding a Leak Affecting Your Floor
First and foremost, if you find any of these signs above, it is imperative to contact a water damage specialist immediately. You may not be able to find the source of the water quickly, and the first step of remediation is cutting off the supply source. A specialist will know where to check. After this, you can start removing the water from the affected area with a dry mop, then begin drying out the area with fans. Removing the moisture will help prevent mold growth.
What Happens When Water Gets Under Hardwood Flooring
Because of the porous qualities of hardwood and the natural gapping between boards, it is likely that in cases of large amounts of water, it will seep below your boards. Even if the surface water has been absorbed, water will probably have already permeated your boards to reach the underneath. Most wood floors have adequate sealing in the middle of the floor that prevents penetration of water. However, if the water travels to the edges of the floor, the water will seep into the cracks and travel to the subfloor.
The material of your subfloor will determine how severe the damage is. Concrete subfloors usually won’t be permanently damaged, wooden subfloors will. If the water reaches the edges of the floor or sits on your floor for more than 24 hours, it will probably need to be dried out completely, which means removing your hardwood flooring.
Water Damage Specialists in San Diego
In short, water damage is probably the worst thing that can happen to your hardwood floors. Our team of water damage specialists is well-versed in handling disasters like this and working to get your home restored. If you are dealing with water-damaged floors or suspect leaks, contact us immediately. We offer 24/7 service with an arrival time of 60-90 minutes.