Timing is crucial for hardwood flooring water damage mitigation, just like any other water-related damage. Hardwood is porous, so it absorbs water quickly and can require replacement if the restoration process isn’t begun immediately. There are options for homeowners who have suffered water damage to their hardwood flooring.
First Steps For Hardwood Flooring Restoration
Homeowners should always consider hiring professionals for water damage restoration as they have the expertise as well as specialized equipment, so the work is more likely to be successful. However, there are first steps a homeowner can take if they’d like to attempt to restore their hardwood flooring on their own.
- Wear proper protective gear.
- Stop the water from getting into the home.
- Turn off the power in the flooded room.
- Take photos of all damaged items, flooring, and other components in the home.
- Remove everything from the room and allow it to dry.
- Open windows and doors to expedite the drying process.
- Use a shop vac or a mop to remove as much standing water as possible.
- Use heaters, fans, dehumidifiers, and other tools to help dry the flooring as fast as possible.
- Clean the flooring, rinse with clear water, and continue drying the flooring.
Calling The Professionals for Help
For a higher likelihood of preventing permanent damage to the hardwood flooring or mold growth in the home, contact PuroClean Certified Restoration for water extraction in Springfield Missouri. We already have the tools needed for the job, we can quickly remove the water and dry the flooring, and we can use the best methods to minimize the potential for permanent damage to the hardwood flooring.
Inspection of Flooring and Damage
Our professionals begin by inspecting the flooring itself and the damages. We need to make sure the flooring is actual wood, not something that looks like wood. We also need to figure out the type of wood used for the flooring as some will be more difficult for water extraction than others. We will look into the construction method as well, as repairs might be needed once the boards are dry.
Drying the Hardwood Floors
The water extraction process begins immediately to save as much of the flooring as possible. Our professionals may need to access the floor from below to help the wood dry faster. It can take up to a week or longer for the moisture to be completely removed from hardwood flooring since wood absorbs a lot of moisture quickly and the moisture level must be reduced until it’s within 4% of the floor’s dry standard. This amount varies based on the type of wood.
Refinishing the Floors
Hardwood flooring is finished when it’s installed to protect the wood and ensure it looks amazing. The finish is likely going to be damaged because of the water, though it may also need to be removed to expedite the drying process. Once all of the water is removed, any cupping needs to be corrected, and the finish needs to be reapplied. Our restoration professionals can refinish the floor, restoring the look and feel of it, so the water damage is no longer apparent.
Restoring a water damaged floor, especially if there is hardwood flooring in the room, is never easy. If you ever experience water damage in Springfield Missouri, call the professionals at PuroClean Certified Restoration to do the job right.