How to Prevent and Repair Water Damage on Hardwood Flooring

Water damage is a problem no one wants, especially in your flooring. Hardwood flooring can be troublesome, and sometimes costly, if damaged. Here are some ways to prevent and repair water damage on your hardwood floors. 

Prevention

While disasters can’t always be prevented, you can help your floors from being damaged by normal, daily living. Your wood floor has a coating that prevents water and dirt from damaging it, but they’re not all fully waterproof. You can do a few simple things to keep your floors damage-free:

Clean up spills immediately.

Place rugs in front of exterior doors, sinks, or other areas that could frequently have moisture.

Balance your home’s humidity to prevent excess moisture.

The Signs of Damage

Water damage can appear in many ways. The first signs to look for are cupping, crowning, or buckling of the wood. These, along with discoloring, will likely be the first things to happen when your hardwood is damaged. If you’re seeing these signs, you should seek the source of the water as this is typically a sign of consistent moisture in that area.

Repair Options

Repairing damage as quickly as possible is the best policy. The type of wood floor you have determines the best way to repair damage.

Sanding Your Floor 

Hardwood flooring is easy to sand down to correct cupping or even mold that may be growing on the surface. Sanding and refinishing can be a longer process, however, in order to make the boards match aesthetically.

Replacing Your Planks 

Replacing planks is an easy option, as well. It would be smart to keep any extra planks from your original flooring in case of damage and need of a simple replacement. If you don’t have the original planks, you can stain new planks to match.

When dealing with water damage in any part of your home, it’s best to call a professional to assess or handle the problem. If left unmanaged, water damage can lead to much larger issues that may put your family at risk.

Subscribe to our blog for more information about keeping your home in good shape!