Blog post
Wood Floors Water Damage
Wood floors are a timeless look that can add value and beauty to any home. So, no matter what kind of hardwood you have, you want to make sure that it stays in good shape. One keyway to do that is to prevent water damage.
As a long-standing restoration company here in Atlanta, GA, One Stop Restoration seen the damage that water can do to beautiful hardwood. Whether it’s a minor spill that goes unnoticed or a major flood, you want to do your best to protect your flooring from water disasters, big and small. Here are some tips on how to keep your hardwood safe from water damage.
Wood floors are a timeless look that can add value and beauty to any home. So, no matter what kind of hardwood you have, you want to make sure that it stays in good shape. One keyway to do that is to prevent water damage.
As a long-standing restoration company here in Atlanta, GA, One Stop Restoration seen the damage that water can do to beautiful hardwood. Whether it’s a minor spill that goes unnoticed or a major flood, you want to do your best to protect your flooring from water disasters, big and small. Here are some tips on how to keep your hardwood safe from water damage.
Weatherproof your home
Our first tip for protecting your hardwood floors from water doesn’t focus on your flooring. Instead, you’ll want to focus on waterproofing your home in general against storms and flooding. This will keep water from entering in the first place. Here are some ways to do that:
- Fix leaks. If you tend to get minor water leaking from the roof or doors during storms, you’ll want to get that checked out right away. Putting a bucket under a leak may be a temporary fix, but you could be dealing with long term structural damage and mold that could get worse over time. One Stop Restoration can help you with all your water damage and leak issues in Atlanta, GA metro area including nearby cities.
- Replace your windows with storm windows. Here in Atlanta, we get some powerful storms that can take out windows and expose your home to rain and debris. Storm windows are more expensive, but they can withstand some of the more severe weather events that Atlanta is prone to.
- Improve your sump pump system. You may think of sump pumps as protecting your basement against flooding, but they can also be a crucial line of defense for your hardwood floors! After all, if you can prevent moisture in your basement, the rest of your home will be better off, as well.
- Be strategic about your outdoor space. With the right outdoor landscaping plan, you can keep rainwater and watering systems away from your foundation. One of the most common systems is called a French drain, which is a rock-filled trench around the exterior of your home. This system adds a layer of defense against flooding.
Don’t let plumbing incidents go unfixed
Just as you’ll want to waterproof the exterior of your home against weather damage and flooding, it’s important that your internal plumbing is in good shape. Here are a few signs that you should call a plumber out to inspect your home for hidden water damage:
- Smell of mold
- Decreased water pressure
- Leaky faucets
- Problems with drainage
- There are drastic changes to your water bill
These are all signs that you could have problems with your plumbing system. If left unaddressed, you could face a larger problem such as a burst pipe or long-term damage to your insulation, drywall, and flooring.
One Stop Restoration in Atlanta, GA can help with all of your mold remediation, water damage restoration services.
Make use of rugs and runners
There are many ways that everyday life can lead to water on your hardwood floors. Everything from doing the dishes to stepping out of the shower to taking the dog for a walk can expose your hardwood floors to water. And, while it doesn’t seem like a big deal at the time, long term exposure can damage the wood.
Rugs and floor runners are a great solution. Here are a few places where you’ll definitely want to put down a rug:
- Bathrooms and kitchen. Even if you have tile flooring in your bathroom and kitchen, you’ll still want to lay down some rugs. That’s because it’s very easy to track water from these areas to other parts of your home.
- Door entrances, both outside and inside. Having a welcome mat outside and an entry rug inside of all doors is a great way to prevent people and pets from tracking water inside.
- High traffic hallways. This isn’t just a great way to protect your hardwood from water, but it will also prevent normal wear and tear.
Now, we should note that rugs need their own care regimen. Otherwise, water trapped in your rugs could damage the flooring underneath or grow mold. This is especially true when it comes to bathroom and kitchen rugs, which absorb a lot of moisture. These rugs or mats can be hung to dry between showers or every couple of days to prevent water buildup.
Don’t place plants on the floor
Indoor plants are a wonderful addition to any home, but as much as they benefit your health and wellbeing, they can lead to damage for hardwood flooring. That’s because not only do plants raise humidity levels, but they can also leak water onto the floor if you’re not careful.
In fact, even if your plant is in a plastic or terracotta saucer, the danger is that even small amounts of water can seep onto the floor and get trapped under the plant. Instead, it’s best to make sure there’s good airflow underneath all plants by placing them on raised plant stands or shelves. You can also clear up floorspace and prevent water damage by hanging your plants from the ceiling.
Increase airflow
Increasing the ventilation in your home is beneficial for a few reasons. Having good airflow can lower humidity, reduce your risk of mold, and encourage better air quality. So, it’s not just good for your hardwood floors, it’s good for everyone living in your home!
The CDC recommends increasing airflow with the following tips:
- Open doors and windows as much as possible. It’s not always feasible to bring fresh air into your home, especially when temperatures are too high or someone in your household suffers from seasonal allergies. But if it is an option, keeping your windows open can improve airflow.
- Use ceiling and floor fans to move air. Get to know the layout of your home so that you can place fans strategically for better airflow.
- Clean the air filters in your ventilation system. Over time, air filters trap dust and debris that can make your ventilation system less effective. It can also mean that your family is exposed to airborne debris every time you turn on the air conditioning. So, while it’s good to use your ventilation system to keep your home, and your hardwood floors, dry, it’s important to clean them at least once a year or more.
- Always use exhaust fans when showering or cooking. Again, even if you don’t have hardwood floors in your kitchen or bathroom, it’s still important to keep these areas dry so that water isn’t tracked into other rooms. Exhaust fans do a good job of keeping humidity levels low to protect your more vulnerable floors.
Invest in a dehumidifier
Dehumidifiers are great for homes here in Atlanta, especially when humidity is at its highest, between May and September. Dehumidifiers work by extracting moisture from the air and depositing it into a removable water tank. The air that is then released back into your home is dry and, depending on the model, purified through a filtration system.
While dehumidifiers can do a good job of protecting your hardwood floors from water damage, you should check them periodically to ensure they’re not leaking. If your dehumidifier does leak, get it fixed professionally.
Fireproof your home
One thing that surprises many homeowners after a house fire is that they must also deal with water damage from the fire hoses. You can prevent this from happening by practicing fire safety and fireproofing your home. We’ve already discussed two ways to do that—cleaning your vents and installing french drains to the exterior of your home—but you can also reduce your risk of a fire with the following tips:
- Don’t overload electrical outlets
- Use quality extension cords and power strips
- Don’t run extension cords under rugs, as this can cause friction
- Never leave candles and lit stove burners unattended
- Use quality space heaters and follow the manufacturer’s instruction for use
Your main priority in practicing fire prevention is, of course, the safety of your family. But, it’s also a good way to protect your home from damage, both from the fire itself and the water damage that comes from fire extinction.
Need some more tips about how to prevent fire in your home or business in Atlanta, GA? Call One Stop Restoration today!
Learn the right way to clean hardwood floors
The theme of this guide, as you’ve certainly noticed, is finding ways to prevent your hardwood floors from getting wet. But, eventually, you’ll need to clean them! So, how can you do so without exposing them to water damage? Here are a few steps:
- Regularly remove dirt and debris by sweeping or using a vacuum with a hardwood setting
- Mop the floor weekly or as needed, being sure to use a lightly damp, not sopping wet, microfiber mop
- Use room temperature water, not hot water, to clean hardwood floors
- Only use wood cleaning products, being careful to follow the manufacturer’s instructions
- Quicken the drying process with a fan or open windows
If you are mopping on a particularly humid day or you notice that you see standing water as you mop, it’s a good indication that there’s too much water in your mop. Wring it out more thoroughly so that you don’t damage your hardwood floors.
With these cleaning tips, you can ensure that your hardwood looks great while lowering the risk of water damage.
If you do experience water damage, call in a professional team as soon as possible
If you’ve noticed that your hardwood floor is showing signs of water damage or you’ve had a water related incident like a flood, don’t panic. A professional team may be able to help. But, it’s crucial that you address the problem as soon as possible. By allowing water damage to go untreated, it can lead to wood rot and mold.
Here’s a rundown of how a restoration team can make your hardwood look like new:
Sanding
Sanding can be a necessary step for worn, old, or damaged hardwood floors. A professional team will have an industrial sander, such as an orbital sander, that can cover large areas.
Spot treatment for rot
In some cases, water damage can lead to wood rot in your flooring. If the rot is minor, the repair team can chip away the damaged area and fill it in with an epoxy-based putty. This is often unnoticeable when used in small areas.
If the rot is extensive, however, the repair team may need to remove and replace the damaged wood panels.
Refinishing
Once your flooring has been sanded and spot treated for water damage, it will be time to refinish the floor. This step requires a thorough cleaning process to remove all dust and debris. This will ensure that the finishing layer, generally a polyurethane sealant, will adhere uniformly to the wood. In most cases, you won’t be able to walk on the refinished wood flooring for 24 to 48 hours.
How much does it cost to treat water damaged wood floors?
Here in Atlanta and surrounding areas, it can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000 or more for hardwood refinishing. In the case of a major flood, an entirely replaced hardwood floor can cost several thousand dollars. The final price, of course, will depend on the size of your home and the extent of the damage.
Here in Atlanta and surrounding areas, it can cost anywhere between $1,000 to $4,000 or more for hardwood refinishing. In the case of a major flood, an entirely replaced hardwood floor can cost several thousand dollars. The final price, of course, will depend on the size of your home and the extent of the damage.
Given that hardwood repair and replacement can be quite costly, you can see why it’s so important to take good care of your flooring. By taking these steps to prevent water damage, you can be sure that your hardwood floors are in good shape for as long as possible. And, in the case that you do experience water damage, give us a call. We can repair water damage and prevent further wood rot and mold.
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