If you have moisture under your hardwood floors, there are a few steps to take to fix the problem. Moisture can come from many sources, including an improper installation, poor ventilation and condensation.
The first step is to inspect the area for any signs of water damage like black spots or mold on the wood. If you find these signs then it’s time to call in professionals who specialize in fixing moisture under hardwoods floors before they get worse.
You don’t always have to replace your hardwood flooring – it just depends on the amount of damage that the water caused.
If you don’t know what to do, hire professionals that have experience in fixing hardwood floors. These guys will come up with a plan to fix the moisture under your wood but they’ll also get rid of any mold and mildew on it as well.
What Happens When Your Hardwood Absorbs Water?
There are a number of ways that wood floors can become wet. Wood may get damp if you have leaky pipes, frozen pipes or an ice damming situation. It could also be from flood water coming in due to rainfall and heavy storms like hurricanes/thunderstorms since their winds bring the rain with them too which is usually how exterior leaks happen.
But your wood floors can also get water damage from an overflowing toilet, a broken down dishwasher or washing machine or even a water heater. Pet accidents can also cause moisture damage to your wood floors over time.
Generally, when wood is exposed to something wet, the moisture causes cracks and warping to occur. This is when water expands within a board’s pores causing it to expand lengthwise while contracting width-wise which leaves a warped floor that will need repairs.
Water is the most common cause of floor damage, and it only takes a few drops to have long-lasting consequences. It can seep underneath your floors or pass through cracks in planks if you’re using engineered hardwood; this water will also loosen up the glue beneath so that the boards start popping as they expand due to humidity changes.
If you’re not careful, water can quickly seep through the cracks in your hardwood floors and ruin them. For example, if it’s raining outside or someone spills a drink on their floorboards, they could end up with warped boards that are so damaged that they’ll have to be replaced!
With water damage, it’s important to act fast and dry the floor. If you don’t remove the water quickly enough, mold can grow faster than ever before! Mold first begins growing within 48-72 hours after your floors get wet – this is why removing any excess moisture ASAP is so crucial to stop mold from spreading.
Hardwood Floor Is Buckling
Hardwood floor buckling can be an indication of water damage . In many cases, there is wood rot present, but at first glance the floors appear to be solid.
However, when you lift a section of hardwood flooring, if there is water underneath it is usually very obvious that there’s wood rot. The core material usually swells dramatically and forms pockets of stagnant water as the moisture migrates through the wood flooring.
How much does it cost to repair ? More than you think . The scope of work is always more extensive when there’s water damage and wood rot present or underneath your hardwood floors. This is because we have to remove more material that can’t be saved in order for a new floor to be installed correctly and long-term.
How Do I Know If My Floors Are Wet?
Probably one of the first signs you’ll see are things like buckling, cupping and cracks in your hardwood floors.
As water seeps into the floors, cracks form and then expand. The planks of wood in your floor will cup or buckle up to reveal a hump on top due to swelling from absorbing too much moisture. As time goes by, you’ll notice that these bumps become more pronounced as they are left untreated over time.
Another telltale sign are black or dark stains along the edges of your floor boards. This could be due to water damage. The most likely reason for this is mold growth from a combination of moisture and humidity in the air.
What Causes Moisture Under Hardwood Floors?
As we mentioned earlier, the cause for the moisture on or under your hardwood floors can come from a variety of things and/or circumstances.
- Storms
- Flooding
- Clogged gutters
- Old windows
- Damaged foundations
- Dishwashers, refrigerators, washing machines and water heaters
- Leaky pipes
- Incontinent pets
Your water problems might be as simple as a lack of sealing around the outside. Often, homeowners notice staining by windows or doors and it’s likely that there is seeping underneath door sills or down framing on poorly installed older window panes which need to have some sealant applied.
So much of the damage from refrigerators and dishwashers is due to water filters not being changed in a timely manner. It can be easy for these appliances to drip, which causes them slip down into places that are hard or impossible to reach. This often leads to expensive repairs because there’s no way around it – if you want your floors protected and looking great then now is the time start checking those filters!
If plumbing problems are causing you damage to your home we strongly recommend that you get a professional plumber to fix these problems immediately.
What Happens If Your Subfloor Gets Wet?
Subfloors are a very important part of hardwood floor installation. Without a strong, dry subfloor supporting your planks of wood flooring, you may run into problems like shifting and creaking. If you have issues with moisture under hardwood floors, it can often be traced back to an issue with the original installation or subsequent repairs (like laying a mat over damp plywood).
How do you get moisture out of a subfloor?
The simple steps to drying out your subfloor are…
- You may need an moisture meter to test your subfloor for moisture.
- Remove any visible water using a mop, cloth, etc. This of course depends on the amount of water. A Wet/Dry Vac can be used once the excess water is removed.
- Sweep the floor to remove as much debris as you can.
- Open any windows, turn on the ceiling fans over the floor and use oscillating fans throughout the room. You may have to run these fans for 2 or 3 days depending on the amount of water damage and the size of the room.
Will My Insurance Company Cover My Water Damaged Floor?
If you suffered from water damage to your floors, be it hardwood or carpet, and are wondering if insurance will cover the cost of restoration, generally speaking most insurance plans do cover this. But you will have to check with your insurance agent and policy to find out if you are covered and for how much?
To be sure that you get the maximum coverage possible however, it is wise to call your insurance company and ask how much the benefits are. If you have a high deductible that needs to be met then it may be cheaper for you in the long run if you use a restoration service.
Again, if plumbing problems are causing damage to your home and wood floors, we recommend you contact a professional plumber right away.
If you have any questions about moisture under floors or are having some problems with it, call Atlantis Plumbing today at 770-443-8229. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.