Broken pipes, leaking water heaters, and overflowing toilets all have the potential to cause water damage to your wood floor. Water damage can diminish the appearance of your floors, but it can also cause electrical problems, health hazards, and a need to replace your subfloor. Be on the lookout for signs your wood floor has water damage and learn how you can address these problems quickly and efficiently.
Warping
Warping is one of the most common signs of water damage on solid hardwood and engineered flooring. Wood planks absorb water, causing them to shift, distort, and misalign. When this happens, you may notice bubbling, cracking, and peeling. In some cases, the boards may buckle and detach from the subfloor.
For less serious forms of warping such as cupping or crowning, address the root cause and thoroughly dry out the boards. Planks can sometimes be flattened out again.
- Cupping takes place when the floorboards curve upwards and cause the edges to become higher than the center of the boards. This happens when moisture gets trapped under the floorboards, exposing the bottoms to more moisture than the tops.
- Crowning takes place when the floorboards swell with water in the center, causing the top to become rounded and the edges to draw away from one another.
Discoloration
Usually, discoloration is the most obvious sign of water damage because wood floors require regular maintenance. Discoloration usually appears as black staining, splotches, or spots on the floors. You may also notice new markings on the grain or fading between the planks. The discoloration means water has seeped beneath the finish. Fortunately, you can often remove the water stains through polishing or restoration.
Mold or Mildew
The combination of moisture and warmth beneath and between floorboards causes mold and mildew to grow. Mold and mildew are not always visible, but if your flooring has an odor similar to dirt or rotting plants, you may have a problem. It only takes 24 to 48 hours for these issues to develop, so dry wet areas as quickly as possible. If the issue continues, mold and mildew will make the boards soft and warped. In extreme cases, they may also cause health issues.
Hidden Symptoms
Water damage is not always easily detectable. If you suspect your wood floor has been damaged but you’re not experiencing any of the first three symptoms, you may need to look closer. If you suspect unseen damage:
- Inspect the bottom of the floor from the crawl space or basement.
- Call a water cleanup professional. They have readers that can measure the dampness of your ceilings, walls, and floors while assessing your home or business for damages.
Remove Water Damage and Replace Your Wood Floor With Preferred Flooring
Maintaining your wood floor can help to extend its life and detect water damage sooner. If you need to replace your wood floors, Preferred Flooring is here to help. Our store carries dozens of beautiful flooring options, and our staff is ready to provide you with the information you need to make the best choice for your family.
Call us at (618) 526-9393 or visit our showroom to speak to a staff member and receive a no-obligation quote. You can also send us a message and a member of our team will get back to you as soon as possible. We proudly serve Breese, Highland, Mascoutah, New Haven, Trenton, Bond County, Clinton County, Madison County, Monroe County, Randolph County, St. Clair County, and Washington County, Illinois.