Water is the enemy of hardwood flooring. Due to the porous nature of wood, moisture can be easily absorbed into the material. So your flooring may show signs of staining from small spills. The wet floor may also begin to buckle and cup when large amounts of water are absorbed as the planks swell.
You may say to yourself, "Well, the wood has been sealed and waxed. So no water can be absorbed into it." While sealers and waxes are designed to add more water-resistant benefits to wood flooring, they can't completely prevent moisture from being absorbed. These products are designed to give you more time to clean up the water or spill from the floor, as well as toughen the flooring so that it does not become easily damaged.
Drying your floors quickly is essential to reduce the amount of permanent damage. Here are steps that you can take if you have wet wood floors after a major plumbing accident or flooding has occurred in your home or commercial building.
Remove Water-Soaked Objects from the Floor
Rugs and furniture that has been soaked with water will continue to shed the moisture into the wood. Also, the wet furnishings can create mildew and mold growth, which will get into the pores and seams of your flooring. Remove all wet items from the room and place them in an area where they can dry effectively without ruining the floor.
Soak Up as Much of the Water as Possible
Towels, mops and clean rags can immediately soak up small puddles and spills. Use a wet vacuum to pull up larger water sources from out the flooring. Don't stop using the wet vacuum even when you can no longer see the water on the surface of the wood. There will still be water lurking in the wood pores and plank seams. Continue to run the wet vacuum over the floor until there is no water seen in the vacuum canister.
Clean the Entire Wood Surface
It may sound strange to add a liquid to the floor after siphoning off the water. Yet there will still be debris and dirt in the pores of the floor, which can store water as well as bacteria that can further harm the wood materials. Use a disinfectant cleaner that doesn't produce suds and a scrub brush that won't scratch up the surface of the floor. Once you have removed the dirt and debris, clean up the leftover water with the wet vacuum and apply a wood floor cleaner to remove the leftover disinfectant. Then rinse the wood surface and dry once more.
Completely Dry the Wood
While the wood flooring appears dry, water could have penetrated throughout the plank as you can't remove it with the wet vacuum. Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours.
Next, place fans around the room so the entire surface receives the blowing air. Place the fans at the highest settings possible. If there is a level below the flooring that can be accessed, place fans on the lower level and aim the air up toward the ceiling to dry the subfloor and flooring from underneath. You can also open the windows to bring in more moving air, yet you should not do this when it is raining outside as you don't want the extra humidity to enter.
Inspect for Mold
Mold is a dangerous health hazard inside homes and commercial buildings. Residents, employees and customers can experience allergic reactions and breathing problems when coming in contact with mold or inhaling the spores. Check the flooring for mold and mildew when the flooring looks visibly dry. If you see the signs of mold in the pores of the wood, you will have to scrub the floor with a solution of baking soda and water. Then vacuum up the moisture and continue the drying process.
Perform a Moisture Test
You can check if there is any remaining moisture in the wood with a moisture testing meter. Don't be surprised if the meter still shows signs of moisture in the floor after a day or two. It can take up to several weeks for wood flooring to completely dry. Also, the humidity in the room and the amount of water that was present on the floor can prolong the process. So leave the fans and dehumidifier running until the moisture test shows that no water remains in the wood.
The most important thing to keep in mind is that you should never wait for the flooring to dry naturally. The sooner you take the following steps, the better off your flooring will be. If you just let the water sit, you will end up shortening the longevity of the wood and will have to replace the section of the water-damaged flooring or the entire floor in the room. Then keep your flooring looking beautiful by performing the appropriate periodic cleaning and preventive maintenance work so that your wood flooring lasts for many years.
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FAQs
If there is a level below the affected room, place fans on the lower level and aim them towards the ceiling to assist in drying the subfloor and flooring underneath if it is dry outside, open windows and doors in the room about two inches to allow extra moisture to escape.
How to dry a wood floor after water damage? ›
Completely Dry the Wood
While the wood flooring appears dry, water could have penetrated throughout the plank as you can't remove it with the wet vacuum. Use a dehumidifier placed at the highest setting possible to dry the floors. Place it in the center of the room and leave it on for at least 24 hours.
How do you protect wood floors from water damage? ›
Use floor mats in entryways and mud rooms to soak up the moisture from wet boots, umbrellas, or the snow the kids bring inside with them. Install a plastic pan beneath the washing machine, and put trays beneath potted floor plants. Place an ultra-absorbent bathmat outside the shower.
How do you prevent moisture damage to wood? ›
Apply a coat of polyurethane, varnish, or lacquer to protect the wood from penetrating humidity and moisture that can seep into your deck and other outdoor wood furnishings. 2. Finish and waterproof wood with a professional-grade wood stain and sealer combo and repaint when necessary.
Should wet floors be left to air dry? ›
There's a common misconception that leaving wet bathroom floors to air dry is an efficient and harmless solution. However, doing so is more problematic than one might think. The prolonged exposure of the floor to moisture, as it waits to evaporate, can lead to water infiltrating small crevices, cracks, or grout lines.
Can wet hardwood floors be saved? ›
Depending on the damage, the hardwood floor may be repaired rather than being fully replaced. If there is minor damage then the majority of the floor can be saved and an isolated floorboard may need fixing. However, if the damage is major then the whole floor may need replacing and sometimes even the subfloor as well.
How long does it take for water to damage wood floors? ›
How Long Does Water Take to Cause Damage? The first sign of water damage is usually cupping, which is when the edges of the boards start to curl up. If the boards are not dried out within 24-48 hours, they will start to warp and potentially crack. In severe cases, the floor may need to be completely replaced.
How do you absorb water from wood floors? ›
After thoroughly towel drying the floor, add absorbent material like sawdust, baking soda, or kitty litter. Spread a generous amount of the material over the affected area and let it sit overnight. The absorbent material helps to draw out any remaining moisture from the wood and makes it easier to dry.
What happens if you leave water on wooden floor? ›
Water damage is one of the biggest fears of homeowners everywhere because of the risk it poses to nearly everything in the home. For example, when not handled properly, water damaged hardwood floors can warp, develop mold, and drastically lower the value of your property.
How long can wood be wet before mold? ›
Mildew (mold in early stage) and molds grow on wood products, ceiling tiles, cardboard, wallpaper, carpets, drywall, fabric, plants, foods, insulation, decaying leaves and other organic materials. Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours.
Liberally sprinkle baking soda inside the furniture to help absorb the moisture from the wood. 2. Use a fan to blow air over the piece, or place furniture in a bathroom with a dehumidifier.
How to dry a wet wood floor fast? ›
An easy way to remove moisture from your wood floors is to use a dehumidifier. Set the dehumidifier at the highest setting possible and leave it in the center of the room for at least 24 hours.
Will a wet wood floor go back to normal? ›
Most wood floors flooded with water will take weeks or more to fully dry out. In some circ*mstances, especially with a wooden subfloor, removing the wood flooring is necessary to fully dry out the subfloor. Total replacement of all the flooring is necessary in these cases.
What is the correct way to deal with wet floors? ›
use a dry mop or squeegee on wet floors to reduce floor-drying time, but remember, while the floor is damp there is still a slip risk. even using a well-wrung mop will leave a thin film of water, sufficient enough to create a slip risk on a smooth floor. spot clean where possible.
How long does it take for a wet wood floor to dry? ›
Hardwood floors can take several days to weeks to fully dry, so soaked hardwood floors have a window where they're pretty hospitable to mold spores. Mold growth can occur within 24 to 48 hours of moisture exposure, so it is important to monitor your hardwood floors and ensure they haven't been affected.
How to pull moisture out of a wood floor? ›
Moisture can and will find its way into the cracks and crevices of your hardwood flooring. An easy way to remove moisture from your wood floors is to use a dehumidifier. Set the dehumidifier at the highest setting possible and leave it in the center of the room for at least 24 hours.
