Can You Fix Water Damaged Hardwood Floors?

The very first thing to do is find the cause of the water and repair it as soon as possible. The more water that gets in, the more likely it is that you’ll have serious and costly damage. If the leak is traced to a faulty pipe or large appliance, be sure to cut off power to that area immediately to prevent an electrical short. If your problem is a roofing leak, then you’ll want to carefully examine the interior walls and ceilings for water damage as well. 

Sudden storms can also create headaches for homeowners when it comes to wreaking havoc indoors. Melting snow and tropical rain can both cause water-related devastation. If you live in an area that’s prone to severe weather, FEMA has a list of steps to take to make sure your family is prepared for water-related emergencies.

Once the source of the damage has been remedied, the next step is to remove the water as quickly as possible. The longer your hardwood floors have been submerged, the more severe the damage will be. 

The best means of starting the drying process is by using a shop vacuum. The home and garden experts at the Spruce note that this household necessity is specifically designed to suction up to 20 gallons of water. Since these high-capacity hoovers have many uses around the house, it is worth the investment to get one that is ultra-absorbent - the most efficient ones available today have horsepower (HP) ratings of 5 to 6.

As you’re getting rid of the water, check the capacity of your shop vac and empty the canister frequently to prevent overflow. When the final drops of moisture have been removed, clean and sanitize your machine with fresh water and bleach to prevent the formation of mildew.

After you have removed all of the excess water with the vacuum, take out anything in the area that became wet or was touching the floor. Getting everything off the floor will help you better assess the damage without missing anything.

Throw rugs can almost always be saved. After you have vacuumed as much as possible, drape the rugs over fences or a clothesline and let the sun dry them out, and kill germs. Most other household items such as tables and chairs will also benefit from a sun bath; once they are completely dry, you can examine any remaining stains to see if they can be removed.

Next, it is vitally important to give your floors a good scrub down as long as the source is not related to black water, which often contains dangerous and harmful bacteria.  Dirt and water-born bacteria can hide in the small crevices between boards and become a haven for moisture and odor causing organisms. 

Use a sturdy brush with natural bristles and a bucket with a solution of water and a non-sudsy cleanser. The key is to dislodge any remaining grime. Be sure to cover the entire affected area, and then check baseboards and walls for any additional damage.

Next, it’s time to bring in the big drying guns. Open any available doors and windows to create air circulation. Set fans to full blast to draw moist air out and speed evaporation of any damp patches. Dehumidifiers can be utilized as well to draw excess water from the atmosphere, but like your shop vac, you’ll need to empty the canister regularly.

Good quality hardwood floors need time to dry properly or there is the possibility the boards will crack or become warped. Resist the temptation to apply high heat. It’s inefficient and may cause further damage.

Now that your waterlogged hardwood floor is clean and dry, it needs an in-depth inspection. Here are some signs to look out for when evaluating the affected area:



• Can you smell anything? An unpleasant or musty odor can be a sign that mildew has reared its ugly head and needs to be dealt with immediately.
• Dark stains indicate that the wood has absorbed some moisture and will need additional attention. 
• Boards that have warped should be fixed to prevent injuries. 
• Swelling or shrinking boards have been too deeply damaged and should be replaced.
• If you observe any bubbles in the floor’s coating, do some research and see if that is something that you can fix or requires additional help.

Water damage to your family’s home is a huge bummer that hopefully you never have to face. But if the unthinkable happens, just stay calm and follow this common sense plan, and you will soon be on the road to recovering your peace of mind and your stunning hardwood floors.

• https://www.floodsmart.gov/community
• https://www.hgtv.com/design/remodel/interior-remodel/when-hardwood-floors-are-worth-saving
• https://www.thespruce.com/how-to-use-a-shop-vac-for-water-5081535