Hardwood floors are more durable than most people suppose. But there is one thing that can definitely damage your hardwood irreversibly: water. If you want to enjoy beautiful hardwood for years to come, then you should know that water is the enemy. But life happens, and sometimes water can get on your floors from circumstances beyond your control. Here’s what to do when hardwood floors get wet. You need to act fast!
Water can ruin your hardwood floors. But if you act fast, you can save it.
Cut Off the Water Source
The first thing you need to do when hardwood floors get wet is to figure out what’s causing them to get wet in the first place. This is easy if you spilled a drink or walked inside with wet shoes. But sometimes, the source of water damage to your hardwood isn’t so easy to ascertain.
In the winter, you may end up with water damage due to a bursting or leaking pipe. In the summer, issues due to excess humidity or flooding are more common. If you don’t address the source of the problem, the following steps won’t help to save your hardwood floors.
Use a Wet Vacuum Cleaner
To save your hardwood floors from water damage, you’ll want to get rid of as much water as you can as quickly as possible. Rags or paper towels are inefficient at this. Wet vacuum cleaners are a far better way to tackle liquid spills.
Continue to vacuum even after you don’t see any more liquid. What moisture you don’t see may have been absorbed into the pores of the hardwood, and this can cause some serious damage as time goes on.
Break Out Dehumidifiers and Fans
A wet vacuum is the most efficient way to suck up a lot of water fast. But it won’t handle everything. Once you’ve finished vacuuming, you’re going to want to use a dehumidifier to eliminate some ambient moisture in the room. Simply place it in the affected area and let it run for at least a full day. When the rate at which it collects water in the tray slows down significantly, you can turn it off.
You can speed up the drying process even faster by using fans in conjunction with your dehumidifier. Just aim them at your floors and let them run!
Refinish Your Floors
Even after you’ve dried up all the water to the best of your ability, your floors might need some professional attention. Polyurethane does have some water resistance, but it will generally need to be replaced after prolonged contact with water. Some boards may have taken on permanent water damage, despite your best efforts.
If your hardwood floors have been damaged by water, contact Jason Brown Wood Floors, and we’ll take a look.
Hardwood Flooring 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.
Jason Brown Wood Floors is also your convenient dealer of high-quality, professional grade power tools. We offer brands that tradespeople trust most for the job. Come check out our Bel Air showroom to browse the in-stock selection of products and tools by Festool, Freud, Diablo, Shaper, and Mirka.
Keep up with us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Houzz, and YouTube, and check out our blog for more news and information!