Water damage can ruin your hardwood floors.
Water damage can ruin your hardwood floors. Depending on how severe the damage is, you might only need some small repairs. On the other hand, you might need to replace your flooring if the damage is bad enough. Here is how you can decide whether or not to replace your wood floors before the summer ends.
Water vs. Wood
Wood naturally absorbs water. That’s why wood flooring is particularly vulnerable to water damage. You need to deal with any spills or leaks as soon as they start leaving moisture all over your wood floors. That said, you might not know what the signs of water damage look like.
Signs
For one thing, you’ll see stains on the floor. The planks might also start to change color, depending on how severe the water damage is. Moisture absorption can also cause odd effects such as cupping and buckling. The nails could pop out, leading to the floorboards coming loose. Also, if the water damage is from a flood, mold can quickly cover the floors of your home. If you don’t do anything, the mold can cause other health problems for you and your family members.
Replacement or Repair
Now the real question is whether you should replace your wood floors or just get some repairs done instead. Replacing your wood floors depends on how long your floors were exposed to water. Also, the type of wood flooring makes a difference: solid hardwood and engineered hardwood handle water damage differently. Sometimes the water might not reach the subfloor underneath the floorboards. If the subfloor is damaged, then it’s probably a good sign you need to replace your floors. If not, then sanding and refinishing your wood floors might be the solution you need. One last sign you might need to have your wood floors replaced if you notice that the floors are starting to expand. Expansion isn’t a good sign, so if you notice the effects of it, then you’ll need expert contractors to come and replace your floors for you.
Hardwood Flooring Installation and Maintenance from Jason Brown Wood Floors
At Jason Brown Wood Floors, our commitment to quality installation is clear in all that we do, which is why our customers consistently rate us as one of the top contractors in the region. We have been awarded Baltimore Magazine’s Best of Baltimore Award 4 times and have been proudly serving the Baltimore Area for over 16 years. If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 410-668-9131 or send us a message here.
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