Flood Damage to Hardwood Floors

8/25/2022 (Permalink)

SERVPRO Can Help to Save Your Hardwood Floors after Flood Damage

Most people look forward to the end of winter in Mason City Iowa and the warmer weather that follows. We must, of course, remember that along with spring rainstorms, melting snow, and warm sunshine, there is an increased threat of flooding. It is all part of spring in the Midwest. Damage from flooding in the spring can be costly and extensive for you as a homeowner. If you have lived here for a while, you are probably aware of any flooding dangers that are possible.

These things sometimes, unfortunately, take you by surprise, and then your home is underwater. If this happens to you, it can be quite overwhelming, but it is not the time to hesitate. The water needs to be cleaned up as soon as possible to prevent even more damage, and to do this you need professional help. Our staff at SERVPRO are trained and experienced in flood damage, and we can help you anytime you need it.

We do not hesitate to get to your home once you contact us. SERVPRO technicians are trained to know the moisture effects on different materials and how to dry them properly, including your wood flooring. Permanence and exposure time are two of the major variables that determine how much damage is done to affected materials. Refers to how quickly water vapor goes through a material, and exposure time refers to how long the material was in contact with the water.

Wood naturally contains moisture but expands when it absorbs extra moisture. The boards can warp and expanded boards can push against one another. Buckling at the joints where the boards meet or at the walls can occur because of this. How much buckling happens depends on how much moisture is absorbed and what kind of wood it is. Warping and buckling can be permanent after the wood finishes drying. Floors have to be replaced if the right drying and refinishing cannot get rid of the damage.

Cupping and crowning can also occur. Cupping happens when the water is absorbed from the sides and bottom of the wood. The edges slightly raise or cup. Many times, it can be sanded out. Crowning happens when the top of the wood holds more moisture than the bottom and sides. It can make the wood arch, making a bowed shape in the middle. It usually happens with the bottom of the wood is over-dried.

SERVPRO of Mason City knows how to handle the wood flooring in your home. We are available 24/7! Call (641)424-3382