Overflowed toilets, leaky roofs, busted pipes and tropical storms, are just a few water related accidents that can ruin your hardwood floors - all thanks to its extremely porous nature. Whether or not you're able to tackle the onset of bulging, cupping or discoloration depends on the speed with which you treat these water accidents. While your floor may never look the same after extreme floods, there are steps on how to dry out hardwood floors after a flood that can help you salvage your flooring, instead of tossing it to the junkyard. The key here is how fast you act to dry the water out.
Is Water Damage Covered by Insurance?
It depends. First on the cause of the damage, and then on your insurance plan. If you live in a hurricane prone area, your insurance company will probably include some sort of general compensation package in the event of a hurricane. But because people don't necessarily anticipate floods, only few people (about 20% to be precise) have flood insurance. If the water damage is structural, like from a leaky pipe, then there's a good chance you're covered. That said, a flood insurance will probably mean a higher premium compared to other packages, so make sure you check with your insurer plus, read the policy you're committing yourself to.
What To Do After a Hurricane or Storm
Hurricanes leave such severe damages that homeowners may find it difficult to deal with the after effects on their own. In cases like this, you're advised to contact a professional service, like a home restoration service. However, because the disaster probably affected everyone in your neighborhood, it might take a while for them to get to your home so follow these steps to mitigate the damage before they arrive.
How To Dry Out Hardwood Floors After a Flood - Preventing Mold Growth
● Stop More Water From Coming In
You'll be fighting a losing battle if you're trying to dry out your floors while water is still pouring in. So your topmost priority should be to find the source of the water and block it.
● Take Off All Wet Furnishings From the Floor
This includes chairs, carpets and paddings that will only cause more water to saturate into the floor. Keep them in a water proof area, preferably somewhere airy and sunny so they'll get dry - wet furnishings are usually safe havens for mold and other opportunistic microorganisms.
● Extract Water From the Hardwood Floor With a Wet Vacuum Cleaner
They're a bit pricier than typical vacuum cleaners, but wet vacuum cleaners can absorb even water that's invisible to the naked eye. Keep suctioning until you're absolutely sure you've gotten every last drop. Depending on the severity of the flood, you may need to take out the base boards as well as sections of your drywall - to prevent mold growth. Most professional services will take out about 18" above the flood's highest point.
● Disinfect the Area
Again, this is to prevent mold growth. After disinfecting, make sure you suction off whatever water is leftover from the disinfectant.
● Air Dry the Room Properly
Sometimes ventilation alone won't cut it, so bring out the big guns - dehumidifiers, industrial fans and air conditioners. Let them run for at least 24 hours, and make sure you avoid foot traffic in the affected areas. Don't use any heat, and keep the plugs off the ground.
● Sand & Refinish Your Floors
Once your floor is thoroughly dried - in about 4 to 6 weeks, you can then sand it. Don't worry about minor cuppings, they'll be salvaged while you're sanding.
Bottom Line
Whether or not you're be able to salvage your hardwood floor depends on how fast you act. Following these tips on how to dry out hardwood floors after a flood will help prevent your flooring from worsening before professionals arrive. Removing all the water and drying the floors are some of the steps to take after a flood hits your home.
