Repair of a Wood Floor With Water Damage
There is nothing better than a gleaming hardwood floor for a classic look which is easy to maintain. But sometimes something can happen to ruin the floor.
Hardwood Floor Repair of Water Damage
If a problem has occurred where water is everywhere, a wooden floor can be damaged easily. If the flooding is minor, then quick work with a mop and sponge can be enough. But where water has been sitting on a wood floor for longer than a few hours then severe damage can occur. Wood is naturally absorbent, and even if the hardwood floor is highly polished there are plenty of spaces for water to enter.
As wood absorbs water it expands and causes cracks, crowning and buckling of panels. The effects on laminate flooring are even more pronounced and the top hardwood veneer can become separated from the wood underneath.
Hardwood Floor Drying and Repair
As Restoration Aces is an experienced structural damage drying and repair company, we know how important it is to act fast to dry out and repair wood flooring. We set up drying equipment, dry it out completely, remove the material that is not salvageable and repair the wood floors. We will inspect the damage, come up with a recommended plan of action and show up ready to get it done immediately. Much of the time water damage to floors is covered by homeowners insurance, and we can help with that as well.
Once standing water is removed, water damaged wood floor drying mats are used to dry hardwood floors, having a gasket edge to make a good seal to be able to remove trapped water. A number of these large mats are connected to a blower or extractor.
After drying, most wood floors need sections of panel repair, replacement and refinishing.
Subfloor Repair
Once water has penetrated a bathroom, kitchen, living room or dining room floor, then it can soak into the supporting subfloor underneath. In many cases the subfloor is plywood sheeting, which is also easily damaged by water. Plywood sheeting is made up of very this sheets of wood glued together and water easily expands and distorts the layers. Water damaged plywood sheeting is best removed and replaced. Occasionally subfloors have supporting beams, which are often structural, and more severe damage can occur to beams, as well as hidden mold growth which is not immediately visible.
If there is concrete beneath the plywood subfloor, then it is important to dry out the concrete or water will penetrate any new sheeting that is put down.
Questions about Floor Repair:
How much will it cost to do the floor repair? When wooden floors or hardwood laminate floors have been damaged by water, it Is difficult to give an exact estimate without seeing the extent of the damage, but we will be happy to give a free estimate after inspecting the damage.
How can I tell if there is water damage on wood floors? As water penetrates wood it expands, and the first sign is that individual planks get cupped or buckled. Over a larger area a number of wooden planks can make a crown or lump in the floor. Often wood will turn a dark color, which may be caused by mold growing in the wood or by tannins in the wood reacting with the water.