Water can wreak havoc on wood flooring. Moisture can create stains and discoloration. In serious cases, water can even change the surface of hardwood flooring. A spill or leak can also create a breeding ground for mold, which can endanger your family’s health. If you have water-damaged hardwood floors, the team at Barbati can help!
Signs That You Have Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
Some signs of moisture damage are obvious, while others are more subtle. A small leak or spill might cause discoloration that’s limited to one section of the floor.
A large leak or a spill that’s not cleaned up right away can cause much more serious issues. You might see:
- Cupping: the center of a plank is lower than the edges
- Crowning: the center of a plank is higher than the edges
- Buckling: wood flooring separates from the subfloor
How to Deal with Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
If you notice signs of moisture damage, clean up the water right away and use fans to dry out the affected area as much as possible. Then have a hardwood flooring professional conduct an inspection, determine the extent of the damage, and figure out how to fix it.
A contractor will sand the surface of your hardwood flooring to remove the damaged wood. If some planks are damaged beyond repair, they’ll need to be replaced. If sections of the floor have buckled and separated from the subfloor, more extensive repairs will be necessary. You might need to hire another company to deal with mold.
After contractors have sanded your water-damaged hardwood floors and replaced planks that couldn’t be fixed, they will stain the surface. You can have your flooring stained the same color, or you might decide that it’s a good opportunity to switch things up and go with a different color. Contractors will apply a protective finish to reduce the risk of future damage.
Call Barbati for Help with Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors
Moisture damage is a serious issue that should be addressed as quickly as possible. Barbati Hardwood Flooring has been helping Pennsylvania homeowners with wood floor installation and repairs since 1987. A member of our team can evaluate the condition of your hardwood flooring and give you an estimate for refinishing. Call (484) 354-8869 today!