Water Damage Recovery Tips for Your Hardwood Floors

3/17/2020 (Permalink)

An unfortunate flood or spill can easily damage your hardwood floors, but fixing them is not impossible. However, time is not on your side. You will need to move quickly to preserve them and prevent permanent water damage and mold growth. The presence of moisture encourages the growth of the mold, and hardwood flooring will absorb moisture more easily. Work thoroughly and with speed when trying to recover your hardwood floors. Here are tips to follow when your hardwood floors experience water damage:

• If the source of water has not been stopped yet, be sure to do that immediately. Take precautions and wear proper protective gear.
• Prevent any possibility of electrocution by turning off the power to the affected room until the water has been taken care of.
• Remove any items from the affected area and move them to a dry spot.
• Open any doors and windows to allow for ventilation in the room. This will help the floor dry faster. Fans, dehumidifiers, and heaters can also help with drying the room.
• Remove the surface water by using a vacuum to remove as much of the excess as possible. 
• Scrub the floors to get rid of any leftover debris and mud. Use mild detergent and clean water with a brush and clean thoroughly until all dirt is gone.
• Leave the fans going, and continue to dry the floor. Depending on how serious the damage is, the drying process can take from up to a week or more. Dehumidifiers, fans, and heaters can help speed up the process, but do not attempt to dry it too quickly or the floor can crack. Do not apply direct heat to the floor either, as this can cause other issues as well. 

Even with all of your efforts, properly cleaning and removing moisture from hardwood floors is difficult. Mold can still grow if not properly treated. If the floors are too badly damaged then they might have to be replaced altogether. But if you call SERVPRO of North Nashville today, we can assess the damage and help go in the right direction of fixing your floors! Our Commercial and Residential Restoration and Cleaning Services are not only fast, but also effective. We can fix the damage before it escalates.