Out of control humidity issues, spills, floods due to broken pipes or appliances, tracked in water, snow , or ice, and even accidents by pets can all be severely damaging to hardwood floors. You can avoid a lot of these problems if you keep in mind some simple steps that you can take limit hardwood floor damage.
Step 1: Limiting Hardwood Floor Damage - Take Action Immediately
The longer the floor is exposed to excessive water or humidity, the larger the damage floor is absorbed by water floor is moisture, they expand expanded, both vertically and horizontally. As each board expands horizontally the gap on each side of the room & # 39; s center. Horizontal expansion causes the boards to "grow" in width. The floor will continue to expand but we will have now expanded to the side of the floor and the wall. The whole floor will then require sanding and refinishing.
Step 2: Preventing Hardwood Floor Damage - Immediate Cleaning
After drying up with soft, absorbent towels due to the water will not penetrated beyond the surface of the floor .. after drying up In the case of a large spill or flood, such as those from a broken water line, a water heater, The longer a dryer. The longer a hardwood floor remains wet, the greater The more you have the specialized equipment, you are going to need special professional assistance. If it is not the water to penetrate the floor and the sub floor, which will make drying the floor next to impossible for a homeowner. h ardwood floors can be treated successfully with little or no further repairs required.
Step 3: Restoration - After Water Damage Occurs
The hardwood floor is noticed. A hardwood floor installer will not be able to help you at this point. The floor must be returned back to NWFA / A qualified restoration professional will know this standard. If your floor is a sanded and / or re- finished before being brought back to the proper dryness standard, it may be damaged beyond repair.
The sooner the problem is Small spills can not prepare for the damage. Small spills can be taken care of by homeowners, large spills and floods, or leaks over time will require professional assistance. addressed, the better your chances of saving your floor.
