One thing every homeowner should know is that hardwood floors is not water friendly. Once a significant amount of water, either flood-related or not, come in contact with your hardwood floors, your floors will never be the same again.
However, there are steps that one can take to save these floors from being completely damaged. With just a few tips, you can save your hardwood floors from severe water damage without having to replace the planks.
How To Protect Your Hardwood Floors From Water Damage
Water causes mildew growth to hardwood which weakens your floor and reduces the lifespan. However, you can prevent these damages with the steps below:
● Find the Source of the Water Damage and Fix It
Moisture could come from high humidity, leaky ceilings and windows, and they can damage wood floors. In numerous cases, one has to fix the source of the water damage to prevent reoccurrence.
● Dry the Floor with a Shop Vac and Mop
Always mop your floor immediately whenever water pours on it. To get the best results, attach a wide wet nozzle to your vacuum to suck out the water from the floorboards. You can accelerate this process with a squeegee guiding the water toward the vacuum.
● Clean the Floor with Disinfectant and Detergent
Cleaning the floor with disinfectant and detergent helps prevent mold. A hardwood disinfectant kills any early-stage growth while mild detergent lifts surface grime and dirt and removes them.
● Air Dry the Floor
Turn on the fans, open the doors and windows to promote steady drying and good airflow. Also, you can make use of a dehumidifier to remove hidden water from below the floor.
● Sand any Minor Imperfections
With solid wood floors, you need to sand out minor bumps, blemishes and humps to retain the grain. Try out cupping your hardwood slightly with an orbital sander. Wear the raised edges down till they flush with the rest of the hardwood floors.
● Deal with Mold on the Hardwood Floors
Mold growth on the hardwood floors can be a tricky one. At this point, all you can do is remove the finish. Because paint has the tendency to create seals over the floor, the water is not trapped in the wood itself. You can revitalize the floor by scrapping the top paint. Once the paint is scraped off, scrub the wood with an abrasive cleaner and dry the floor again.
Contact Central Mass Hardwood Inc.
An investment in hardwood flooring is a wise choice and it should last you for many years. However, for it to have that long lifespan, one has to keep it in good condition. This means there must be no water damage.
However, if you can’t avoid occasional leaks and pours, then contact Central Mass Hardwood and let our team of professionals take care of your Massachusetts home or business’ floors and prevent further damage! Contact us today.
