Can SERVPRO Save My Hardwood Floors After Flood Water Removal?

12/20/2021 (Permalink)

When flooding affects your hardwood flooring, quick action is necessary. Contact SERVPRO for water removal and flood damage remediation services.

Nashua Homeowners Are Keen To Save Expensive Hardwood Flooring After Flood Water Removal

Hardwood flooring adds something special to a Nashua home. The look of hardwood floors is elegant, warm, and luxurious. Wood flooring often represents a significant investment, and so, of course, residents are keen to keep their floors in good condition.

Our customers who need flood water removal in Nashua often tell us they are concerned about their hardwood floors. They want to know if the floor is salvageable or damaged beyond repair by the floodwater.

What Does Water Do to Wood Floors?

Wood absorbs moisture from the air around it, and of course, it can absorb water from its surface. Unfortunately, this makes hardwood floors susceptible to damage during a flood. Water can cause:

• Cupping – moisture causes the planks to curve downwards
• Crowning – moisture causes the planks to bend upwards
• Buckling – planks lift away from the subfloor altogether

When Should a Homeowner Call SERVPRO?

Call SERVPRO of Nashua as soon as you realize flood water has touched your hardwood floor. We're Faster To Any Size Disaster, which is essential because time is of the essence if you want to save your floor. The longer the wood is wet, the more likely it is to cup, crown, or buckle. There is also more risk of water getting into the subfloor and a higher chance of fungal growth.

Please put in a call to us at once. We will be in touch within an hour to arrange a time for our team to come to your home and begin the mitigation process.

What Should a Homeowner Do While Waiting for the Remediation Team to Arrive?

A homeowner's actions depend on how safe the situation is. If the water is from a river or sewer, it could contain contaminants, and it is not safe to touch it. Please wait for the experts.

However, if the flood is from indoor plumbing (not the toilet or sewage) or a leaking appliance, it may be safe for you to mop up the water carefully. If it is safe to do so, we recommend:

• Wearing protective gloves and an apron
• Use a mop or microfiber cloth to soak up water gently
• Moving rugs, books, magazines, textiles, or any other colored items away from the floor to prevent further staining

Please do not attempt to clean up large amounts of water – leave that to the professionals. Do not try to clean up if you are unsure whether the water contains contaminants or if it is not safe for you to be in the room. Always put your safety first.

What Factors Affect Whether SERVPRO Can Save the Floor?

There is the possibility of saving cupped or crowned floors, but buckled floors must usually be replaced.

The type of floor makes a difference in the damage and the remediation process. Real hardwood floors consist of a single layer of wood, which can be dried and refinished. Real floors are more straightforward to salvage than engineered floors, with multiple thin sheets of wood placed in different directions. The various layers can crack underwater damage, rendering them unsalvageable.

There Are Other Factors That Affect Whether We Can Save The Floor:

• How much water is present and how much has sunk into the floor
• Whether the water has penetrated to the sub-floor
• How long the water has been in contact with the floor – it is easier to save floors within 24 hours of the incident
• The category of water – we cannot keep floors flooded with blackwater (which contains sewage and other contaminants)

What Equipment Does SERVPRO Use to Tackle Water-damaged Flooring?

We use moisture meters, moisture probes, and thermo-hygrometers to assess the amount of moisture present, how deep the water goes, and the humidity of the air across the floor's surface.

We employ truck-mounted and free-standing pumps to remove floodwater from the floor and prepare it for the next stage of cleaning and drying. The more water we draw, the better the floor's chance of survival. When the floor is clear of water, we use dehumidifiers and air movers to lower the humidity and encourage drying.

We can also apply microbial and deodorizing treatments to the floor if needed.

Can Householders do Anything to Prevent Flood Damage?

Although you cannot change the laws of physics and prevent the wood from warping under the influence of water, you can make your floors more resistant by taking care of the finish. Ask your installer for tips on how best to care for your floor's distinct finish and make it more robust.

You can also flood-proof the room by ensuring door and window seals are in good condition and keeping appliances and plumbing in good condition.

If you are concerned about your hardwood floors, give SERVPRO of Nashua a call at (603) 889-2311.