Hardwood Floor Drying
Tips On Saving Your Hardwood Floors From Water Damage
Advice for drying hardwood floors in Chula Vista to protect them from water damage
Water and wood. The finest combination, though, is that one. If there has recently been flooding where you live, water has likely invaded your home and is currently sitting on the wonderful hardwood floor you previously admired.
Since hardwood flooring readily absorbs moisture, it can be entirely destroyed by water, warping and discoloring it.
Saving Hardwood Floor from Water Damage
Since the wood will get worse with each hour that passes as long as it is saturated in water, the first 24 hours are crucial. The hardwood floor might be kept from suffering serious damage if you act quickly and properly to remove the water and completely dry it.
It is difficult to do all of this job since you require a dependable water pumping machine and a powerful dryer to guarantee that all of the water has been entirely dried off. To make your hardwood floor look brand new, it still needs to be sanded and refinished.
Here are our best recommendations for eliminating moisture and water from hardwood floors, even if Kwick Fix Plumbing will take care of everything for you if you have the necessary equipment and knowledge and prefer to handle it yourself.
What Happens When Hardwood Floor Absorbs Water?
If your hardwood becomes wet during a flood, it will start to slowly absorb water. In addition to these, roof leaks, overflowing toilets, and broken pipes are other sources of water damage.
When wood absorbs water, it expands and cups or warps. When the flooring grows and rises unevenly, the sides will be higher than the center, causing this to happen. Even if the water is only present for a short while, it will eventually seep through the tiny gaps between the boards or be absorbed by the plywood subfloor that is positioned beneath the hardwood floor. The glue beneath it will eventually become loose, causing the floor to rise.
When there is water damage, it is crucial that the flooring dry as quickly as possible and that the water is removed. In addition to preventing mold growth, a major issue that will be very expensive to cure, this will safeguard the hardwood flooring. Mold growth can start 48 to 72 hours after water damage and can spread swiftly, according to the US EPA.
Does Your Insurance Company Cover Water Damaged Flooring?
We get inquiries from homeowners asking us if their insurance company will pay for the damage. Your insurance policy and the nature of the damage both play a significant role. In the US, 20% of homeowners have flood insurance. Therefore, your insurance company is unlikely to pay out if the damage was brought on by flooding, which implies that water entered from the outside.
Your insurance provider could be able to pay the costs if the damage was brought on by a pipe leak, a water heater explosion, a toilet overflow, or even structural damage to the house, such a roof leak.
You should contact your insurance provider for further details.
If your insurance provider has already agreed to cover the loss, they might be required to cover any further losses related to the claim. While other services like fixing water damage and replacing damaged furniture are all covered, paintings and floors may be excluded.
What To Do After A Hurricane Or Major Storm
Getting in touch with an established water or flood damage restoration firm, like us, is the best course of action in times of significant water damage. We are experts in this field and have all the tools necessary to restore your item to its initial state. We are aware that every homeowner will contact a restoration company after a flood. Don’t stress over it! Our certified staff members are readily ready to assist you with your loss twenty-four hours a day, seven days per week.
If you recently experienced flooding, we strongly suggest you to contact us. The sooner you contact, the less damage there is to your property.
Keep these safety measures in mind while you wait for us to arrive to protect your hardwood floor and other priceless items:
1: Find & Stop The Source Of Water
Your top goal should be to locate the water’s source and immediately shut it off. You won’t be able to save the hardwood floor if water keeps seeping through. The best course of action is to recognize the issue and make the necessary efforts to address it before it worsens.
2: Remove Other Wet Items Out Of The Area
All wet furniture and other belongings should be moved as quickly as you can, preferably outside or to a dry location. If you’re moving the goods to a different room or location, make sure the new space has a waterproof floor or a layer of plastic between the furniture and the floor.
As soon as you can, take out any padding and carpet that are covering the hardwood floors. Wood absorbs water much more gradually than carpet does. They first smell and get mold as a result. Remove any tack strips as well, as doing the repair oneself could result in an injury from their sharp edges.
3: Use A Wet Vacuum To Suck Up All The Standing Water
You shouldn’t let water pool on your house so that it can ruin it. In order to quickly and effectively absorb as much water as possible, it is best to use a wet vacuum. A seasoned mitigation company like ours should conduct this task since we have specialized water extraction equipment that can quickly absorb the water. Important: You might also need to remove some drywall and the baseboards, depending on the extent of the water damage. Because drywall absorbs water like a sponge and can accumulate an excessive amount of moisture, this technique could seem challenging, but it is essential to prevent mold growth. Flood damage restoration companies frequently remove drywall 18 inches above the highest point where the water has reached to ensure that the entire area is completely dry.
4: Cleaning The Surface With A Disinfectant
The most important thing is to avoid letting mold get near your hardwood floors. Additionally, a non-sudsy disinfectant may be employed for cleaning. Use a wet vacuum to remove any remaining water after you’re done.
5: Using A Dehumidifier
A dehumidifier is probably certainly present in your home. It’s time to take advantage of the chance. Simply place it in the center of the space. If you have a lot of dehumidifiers, you can place them all in one location. Until help arrives, make sure the water is cleaned every few hours. If necessary, the dehumidifier should run for three days or at least 24 hours. It is advised that you use it for a few weeks. Keep the area clear of people until the floors repair.
6: Use Large Fans
The drying process will be accelerated by using powerful fans. For the most ventilation, make sure the fans are pointed at the ground and leave the windows open. Fans will help with both the essential ventilation and the evaporation of the extra moisture. If it is humid or heavy raining outside, keep the windows closed. Only leave the dehumidifier on continuously and leave the room doors open. Make sure the fans are running at full volume and power. A fluctuating quality is advantageous.
You can use air conditioning in addition to fans, but not heat. Unwanted cracking and cupping are brought on by heat, and an increase in localized moisture promotes the development of mildew.
Finally, before utilizing the fans, make sure they are dust-free and clean. Any of the cords or plugs shouldn’t be exposed to water.
7: If There Is A Level Below The Water Damage Area, Reduce The Moisture In The Sub-floors As Well
It is almost certain that the leaks and flaws in the hardwood floor allowed water to flow through and reach the subfloor below. You should also dry off this area. It will be particularly beneficial if there is a room below the damaged area with an unfinished ceiling. Use fans and a dehumidifier in this area to speed up the process.
Make a tiny square hole in the ceiling if the ceiling is finished so that the subfloor may dry out more quickly.
8: What If Boards Start To Pop-up?
The wood absorbs moisture, which increases the risk of swelling and buckling. If you can’t walk across the floor, take out a few boards to improve the ventilation of the subfloor.
9: Check For Signs Of Mold Or Mildew
Check for any signs of mold or mildew once the floor has fully dried. Clean the floors as soon as possible with a solution of baking soda and water if you notice any signs of mold growth or can smell it growing. If the mold has already become too widespread, you can engage a mold/remediation company. Mold and mildew removal are both taken care of when you choose Kwick Fix Plumbing to handle your flood damage restoration.
10: Using Moisture Meter
The floors can take up to 6 weeks to dry completely on average. It is essential that you give the flooring enough time to completely dry before attempting to sand it. The results of your actions will hit you hard if you act impatiently.
To make sure the wood has dried fully, measure the material’s moisture content with a moisture meter. These affordable gadgets are simple to locate online. Before sanding the floor, use the moisture meter to check for moisture several times. There are undoubtedly some areas of the floor that are more damp than others. The moisture content of the hardwood should be between 6 and 9% before to installation or sanding.
It’s possible that your insurance provider is rushing to resolve the claim. Allow it to happen; if not, it will cause you trouble in the future.
11: Sand & Refinish The Hardwood Floors
Here, your flooring has to be sanded and refinished to restore its neat and appealing appearance. Water would have damaged the polyurethane, maybe requiring the replacement of some portions or sections entirely. If there is any polyurethane left on the floor, it will be significantly thinner and degraded, which means it won’t endure for very long. The best course of action in this case is to refinish the floors.
Water-damaged floors may typically be sanded and restored. During the process, some light cupping will be used. Depending on how much water was absorbed and how well the floor was dried, only the damaged portions of the floor need to be replaced most of the time. The best course of action in this circumstance is to consult professionals.
Notes On Finding Contractors
You are free to choose any of the recommended contractors; you are not required to choose any that your insurance carrier suggests. They are breaking the law by doing this. Contact the individual who makes you feel the most comfortable. As a reputable company, we take great pride in the caliber of our work and humbly beg you to use us in an emergency. You can read client testimonials about our services.
Final Words
A crisis could arise at any time. Flooding could harm your hardwood, therefore the best way to preserve the beauty of your magnificent floor is to get rid of the water as soon as you can. However, only one individual can quickly put the aforementioned suggestions into practice. Contact Kwick Fix Plumbing if you require restoration services.
So don’t be afraid to hire our professionals. Get a free estimate by calling us today. Give us a call at Kwick Fix Plumbing for all your plumbing and leak detection needs.