Water damaged wood floors: A quick repair guide

12/28/2022 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO® of West Fort Worth explores the steps and expertise it takes to successfully repair wood floors after water damage occurs to help homeowners prepare for professional services.

After a stormy night full of lightning strikes, high winds, and excessive rainfall, Texas properties may need storm damage restoration. Hardwood floors can warp or buckle after soaking in floodwater for even a few minutes.

SERVPRO of West Fort Worth offers reliable storm damage restoration for home and business owners in the area and explains how to identify damaged floors and how the experts restore hardwood to pre-storm condition.

Identify the type of water damage

Homeowners should first call a water damage restoration company to assess the damage. Multiple types of water can damage a wooden floor, which experts divide into three categories. Each level indicates the hazards that may be within the water that is damaging the wood flooring.

• Category 1: Clean water comes from a safe source, like the tap in the kitchen sink.
• Category 2: Grey water includes a range of used water, like dirty water from a dishwasher or washing machine.
• Category 3: Black water comes from the toilet or sewage line breaks and is highly toxic.

Remove the remaining water and dry the area

The professionals use specialized tools and commercial-grade humidifiers to remove any remaining moisture from the damaged wooden floor.

Removing water and moisture helps them identify the areas that may need more in-depth repair or allows them to discover hidden mold and mildew. Avoid using heated hair dryers or other hot tools on the boards, as this can crack them.

Sometimes, the team may need to remove the flooring to check the padding underneath for additional mold or other damage.

Examine the damage and create a tailored plan

The restoration experts will evaluate the area for different levels of damage, which may include, but isn’t limited to:

• Buckling: the wood flooring is popping away from the subfloor
• Cracking: wooden planks are cracking or splitting apart
• Crowning: the flooring lifts in the middle of the plank
• Cupping: the outer edge of the wooden planks lift away from the floor
• Discoloration and smell: dark spots in the wooden floor or a musty odor is noticeable when walking through the area

Each type of damage will require a unique approach to ensure the room is stable and safe to use again. The water damage restoration team will guide you through the necessary steps to help you reclaim your home.

Repair, replace, and restore wooden flooring

Depending on the exact nature of the damage in the wooden flooring, the team repair boards as necessary or replace the flooring in unsavable areas. Sanding the boards can help correct crowning and cupping. Some areas may require additional work on the subflooring to ensure complete restoration of the room.

Trust SERVPRO West Fort Worth to provide high-quality restoration services for properties with wooden flooring.

Storm damage restoration West Fort Worth, TX

After a storm hits, take proactive steps to repair and restore wooden flooring. Team Shaw of SERVPRO of West Fort Worth offers top-tier water damage restoration services, as well as fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and storm damage restoration in West Forth Worth and Pelican Bay, TX.

Trust the local experts to arrive quickly and perform 24/7 restorative services to make the home safe again: “Like it never even happened.”

Contact Team Shaw of SERVPRO of West Fort Worth at (817) 560-3086 to schedule service today.