Restoring Hardwood Floors After Flood Damage
Though hardwood is an attractive flooring material, it is susceptible to water and flood damage. Because of its delicacy, when you begin the process of flood damage restoration, your contractors will likely work on the floor before anything else.
Wood is a porous material, meaning that it can easily absorb dampness. There are some telltale signs that your hardwood floor has water damage, such as cupping, crowning, discoloration, warping, and more.
Whether hardwood flooring requires a simple repair or a full replacement depends on the severity of the damage and the type of water affecting it. Though it’s always best to check with an expert, here are some tips to help determine potential costs.
The Severity of Flood Damage
There are several categories and classes of flood damage. What is most concerning about flood damage is the category of water. The category refers to whether the water is clean or contaminated by unsafe bacteria, fungi, or sewage.
If the water is clean, you can repair the floor if you’re quick to call a restoration company. Should the water contain any sort of contaminants, the most likely option is to replace the affected section or entire floor.
The longer that hardwood flooring is wet, the less likely it is that water damage contractors can repair it. As water seeps into the wood, the planks crack and warp. As the water soaks in further, it can affect the subflooring and cause mold to grow in the wood.
After flood damage, the floor likely won’t be the only part of your home that’s affected. You also need to prevent mold from forming on appliances and walls throughout the house. It’s important to promptly schedule mold removal from professional water damage and mold remediation company, as it can easily spread to the floors.
Signs It’s Time to Repair or Replace Damaged Floors
High moisture levels: While hardwood flooring typically consists of 6-12% moisture, flood damage can cause that percentage to rise to 40%. Waterlogged hardwood deteriorates quickly, causing structural damage. While some hardwood floors are real wood, others are imitation wood material, which can also change how the wood absorbs water.
Discolored boards: It is also difficult to repair floors with additional staining, as their coloration often changes over time. Thus, you may not find a perfect match for your floor, making replacement necessary.
Warped board: Finally, visual signs can also indicate whether repair or replacement is necessary. Cupping, or when the boards of the floor expand and thus have uneven edges, are often a telltale sign for replacement. Crowning, or when floorboards stick up, is sometimes fixable if the damage is isolated.
Call Austin’s Best Flood Damage Restoration Company for a Free Estimate
If you need top-rated flood damage restoration in North Austin, contact All Nation Restoration. All Nation Restoration, North Austin offers lifetime owner transferable warranties with their work and timely emergency service every day of the year.
Give All Nation Restoration, North Austin a call at (512) 934-8180 to repair flood damage today. Service areas include Austin, Round Rock, Plugerville, Manor, Cedar Park, and surrounding areas.
