If you want a modern type house, a hardwood floor is a wise choice to make your home beautiful. However, it is frustrating to have your expensive flooring destroyed with water. Here are some tips to prevent water damage to your hardwood floor.

Causes of Hardwood Floor Water Damage

1. Broken/Leaking Pipes. It usually causes water damage to the hardwood floor if there is a leak from the ceiling, burst pipes, or even faulty appliances.
2. Groundwater. It happens when a hurricane flood or any floodwater seeps into your home.
3. Temperature. The humidity of your home plays a role in damaging your hardwood flooring because it produces moisture that can cause your flooring to crack.

Signs of Water Damaged Hardwood floor

1. Cupping. You will notice the cupping of individual planks or crowning of several planks creating humps on the floor. Some of the floor planks when damaged with water develop dips and raised edges around them. 
2. Staining. When you notice visible dark stains on the floor, there is a possibility that it has developed mold growth. As molds usually occur in a moist area, your flooring is probably dealing with water damage. 
3. Bulging. Another sign that you are dealing with moisture issues on your wood floor is if you notice a “crown-shape” on the woods where it appears to bubble outward. It is the opposite of cupping, and it indicates that there is more moisture on top of the plank than on the bottom.
4. Buckling. It is the most dangerous water-damaged sign as it concludes that the damages are left untreated for a long time. You will see that the floor panels moved away from underneath.

How to Prevent Hardwood Floor Water Damage

Precaution is always the key to prevent the water from damaging your hardwood floors. Have your home assessed or inspected once or twice a year to prevent any possible causes of water damage, such as burst pipes or water leaks. Inspect and repair roof damage immediately and ensure that gutters are clean from any debris, so rainwater can flow freely away from your home’s foundation. Make sure to seal any cracks or openings in your foundation to prevent water seepage. Other steps to follow to prevent water damage to your hardwood floors include;

1. Cleaning up immediately. Any water spills can also damage the hardwood floor as it can absorb through the material. Always make sure to clean up any spills or pooling water from your flooring immediately. You can use a wet vacuum to clean a large amount of water. Just make sure to check the vacuum canister from time to time and empty it if it is full. 
2. Repairing the damage. Check to ensure that the woods are in good condition and repair any signs of damage immediately. Consider replacing old hardwood with a better and reliable wood that won’t easily get damaged with spills.
3. Avoiding excessive water. Excessive cleaning using water or any solution can also cause damage to the floor. Make sure to avoid using too much water and use an absorbent cloth to keep away the moisture from going through the woods. Avoid using string mops as it can hold too much liquid and not advisable for hardwood floors. Removed any water-soaked materials in the area to avoid moisture from spreading through the flooring. 
4. Using absorbent materials. You can prevent any water damage if you place water-absorbent mats or rugs near the area where there can be a possible water spills, like near the door, appliances (e.g., refrigerator, dishwasher), or even under the sink. You can also use an industrial dehumidifier to avoid any excess water from absorbing and damage the hardwood floors.

Safety First

Prevention is the key to avoiding water damage problems. Water that absorbs in any woods can develop mold and mildew. If your water-damaged hardwood floor is left untreated, it could cause a bigger problem to a supposed beautiful home. It can risk your health through molds that grew underneath the flooring, or even weakened the foundation of your house. If any of this happened, better consult a professional.

Water Damage Lake Elsinore has the best and experienced workforce to help you solve an easy problem. Experts are the best option to make your home safe and beautiful. We provide water damage restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call us today!