How to Handle Water Damaged Hardwood Floors

Have you ever noticed a spot on your hardwood floors that is starting to discolor? Or have you ever walked across your floor and felt one of the floorboards sticking up underneath you? These are all signs that you may have water damaged hardwood floors. Whether you realize the damage right away, or it takes some time to see it, it’s important to address it as soon as possible once you are aware to prevent any further damage, or health issues for your family down the road. Here are some tips on how to handle water damaged hardwood floors.  

piece of water damaged hardwood floors.

Signs of Water Damaged Hardwood Floors

There are a few different signs of water damaged hardwood floors. As mentioned previously, discoloration and your floorboards sticking up is an indication of damage. Staining, buckling floorboards, and mold growth are also signs that you may be dealing with water damage. It’s important to stay alert and check your flooring for any of these signs every so often. Once you notice any of these, you should call a professional right away. 

Tips for Restoring Water Damaged Hardwood Floors

  1. When dealing with any type of water damage, it’s important to wear protective gear. Where there is water damage, there could be contamination or even mold growth. Both of which can be harmful to come in contact with. 
  2. If there is a current flow of water coming into the damaged area, it’s important to stop the flow first. Then, you can assess the damage accurately. 
  3. When assessing the water damaged hardwood floors, make a decision to try and handle them yourself or to call a professional restoration company. It is recommended that you always call a professional to handle the damage quickly, safely, and accurately. At this point, you should also give your insurance company a call and document all damage with photos.  
  4. If you have any rugs or carpets in the room, you should remove them. Then care for them using our Preventing Carpet Mold after Water Damage  article.
  5. Air out the space by opening as many doors and windows throughout the home as possible. 
  6. Dry up the mess using mops, dry cloths, or a wet/dry vacuum. Again, if there is a lot of damage, please consider calling a professional restoration company to handle the situation. 
  7. Use dehumidifiers and fans to help the area dry quicker and prevent mold growth.  
  8. Use our prevention tips for protecting hardwood floors from water damage in the future.

Finding Water Damage Restoration Professionals in Albany, NY

If you experience water damage to your hardwood floors or anywhere else in your home or business, the first thing you should do is call Professional Fire Restoration to assess the damage. Hiring water damage restoration professionals is the key to addressing water damage and getting your home or business put back together quickly and efficiently. The team assesses the water damage and creates a restoration plan that covers you and your property from point A to point Z.  

We have over 35+ years of experience of turning crisis into calm. We’re here to help you along your path to starting new. Contact us today so we can help clean the water damage in your home or business and repair it to what it was or make it even better.