How to Address Floor Water Damage Correctly
Leaks or floods in your home can lead to a multitude of issues, including flooring damage. From cosmetic damage to serious structural damage, you could be facing expensive repairs if you don’t act appropriately. Floor Coverings International of Cleveland West, OH® is glad to give you all the information you need to tackle your water damage restoration with confidence, whether that means doing it yourself or calling a professional.
Make sure you know what level of water damage on your floors can be repaired, what needs to be replaced, and when it’s time to call a professional for remediation or flooring replacements.
6 Things That Commonly Cause Water Damage to Floors
There are several common occurrences that can lead to water damage in your home. These include…
- Plumbing leaks
- Appliance malfunctions
- Roof leaks
- High indoor humidity
- Groundwater seeping under the foundation
- Poor exterior drainage
The severity of the leak, as well as how soon you can spot it, will determine what level of damage repair or flooring replacement you need. Don’t hesitate to reach out to the professionals when you’re dealing with water intrusion.
Common Steps in the Water Damage Restoration Process
No matter what type of flooring you have, there are some basics to the water damage restoration process that you’ll need to take care of. For instance, dealing with water damage should always involve…
- Locating the source of the leak and stopping it.
- Extracting any standing water to access the floors.
- Removing wet rugs or fabric furniture from the area.
- Using dehumidifiers and fans to dry the area.
- Inspecting the subfloors or underlayment for mold growth or damage.
It’s also a good idea to document all damage for your insurance company, as this can help you with your claim.
How to Repair Wood Floor Water Damage
The biggest dangers with water damaged wood are cupping or buckling that ruin the visual appeal of your boards and lead to rotting, decaying materials. Minor water damage that’s been quickly spotted can often be solved with a simple refinishing project. However, severe cases will require you to remove the materials, assess the subfloors for mold growth, and install new hardwood in their place.
Tips for Water Damaged Laminate
Has your mop caused water damage to your laminate floors? If there’s only minor bubbling, you can carefully puncture the bubble and inject a floor adhesive before weighing the area down to cure. This should smooth out the imperfections.
If you’re dealing with more severe water damage, like buckled edges or visible swelling, you’ll need to replace the planks. It’s important to follow all the usual water damage steps, such as removing the water and drying the area. For laminate, it’s especially important to make sure the subfloor is completely dry before installing the new boards so that you can avoid mold and mildew growth.
How to Deal with Damaged Vinyl or Tile
Vinyl flooring is prone to peeling at the edges in the wake of minor water damage. To repair this, use a heat gun to gently warm the vinyl and reset it before applying a new waterproof adhesive. If the planks are more seriously swollen or buckled, the affected planks will need replacing. Make sure that you clean and disinfect the subfloor before installing new vinyl, so you don’t trap moisture underneath the new materials.
Tile is known for unmatched water resistance, but that doesn’t mean a serious leak won’t lead to trouble, especially if your grout isn’t waterproof. It’s best practice to tap gently on the tile surface to see if any are loose. If they are, you’ll need to circulate warm, dry air to remove any trapped moisture before reapplying the adhesive or any missing tiles. From there, you can sanitize the area and reseal the grout lines.
How Do You Fix Water Damaged Carpet?
Carpet is incredibly susceptible to water damage. Not only will you need to do the usual fan drying, but you’ll want a heavy-duty extractor to pass over the area multiple times to really pull out every trace of moisture. Most of the time, your carpet pad won’t be salvageable, so you should cut it out and throw it away. After that, you’ll dry the subfloor and use an antimicrobial treatment to make sure there’s no chance of mold, mildew, or bacteria growth.
We recommend having the site professionally cleaned before you re-stretch or re-install the carpeting over new padding.
When to Call a Pro for Water Damage Restoration in Cleveland, OH
If water has damaged a large section of your flooring, seeped below the floor and into the subfloor, or been lingering for a long period of time, calling a professional to evaluate the damage level is a good idea. You may even need water remediation from an experienced team. They can help you assess the damage level, develop a plan to remove the water, and help you determine what areas of your home can be repaired or need to be replaced.
You never have to deal with your water damaged flooring on your own. Floor Coverings International of Cleveland West, OH® is here to help with the restoration process, so you can feel more at ease. We’ll bring our Mobile Flooring Showroom® to you, so we can see the extent of the flooring damage, help you decide if repairs are an option, and show you options for waterproof flooring replacements. We’ll also provide a down-to-the-penny quote, so every stage of your project is clear and direct. You’ll be satisfied with your new floors once we finish the installation. Call (440) 588-3562 or fill out our online form today to get your free in-home consultation on the calendar.
