A wet subfloor doesn't always need to be replaced, but it must be thoroughly dried and assessed for damage. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry it out. If the subfloor is swollen, warped, or has mold growth, replacement is necessary.
In most cases, damaged subflooring doesn't need to be replaced. However, in the event of extensive water damage from flooding or extended periods of exposure to moisture, damaged sections may need to be removed to avoid mold and ensure structural integrity.
unless the subfloor has extensive damage or rot there is no reason to replace it unless you need to cut into it to relocate plumbing fixtures etc.
If a leak or flood sits on your floor for 24 hours or more and/or reaches the edges of your floor and seeps underneath your flooring, it likely will need to be dried out completely. Usually, this will mean removing the flooring on-top of your subfloor.
Homeowners insurance generally covers water damage that's sudden and accidental. For example, if a pipe bursts or a washing machine overflows and damages your floor, you may be covered. But if the water comes from flooding, standard homeowners insurance typically won't cover it.
Subfloor mold often shows up as dark spots or patches under your floors. You might find it under carpets, vinyl, or laminate. The mold can look like black, green, or white marks on plywood or OSB, which are common in homes since the 1950s. A musty smell is a sign of subfloor mold.
Taking all these factors into account, subfloor material costs can range from as low as $2.50 per square foot for plywood to as high as $10 per square foot for Amdry or Barricade.
There are many factors that can affect its longevity, such as the material, the amount of moisture it's exposed to, etc. However, most subfloors can last as long as the home itself. That said, you may have to replace your subflooring after 20 to 30 years if it has absorbed too much water too often.
Remove Damaged Areas
Any area of the subfloor exposed to water damage and rot needs to be removed and replaced. Take a circular saw, set it to one-inch depth, and precisely cut the rotting subfloor areas you marked with chalk. Use a pry bar to remove damaged sections carefully.
An uneven subfloor is most likely to be the culprit for that spongy feeling if the issue is not evenly distributed but confined to specific areas – particularly if you can rule out causes such as water damage if, for instance, the flooring is newly installed.
The moldy subfloor must also be removed and replaced. Particular care must be taken when cutting into moldy wood because the process sends mold spores flying into the air. Moldy wood removed from the subfloor should be enclosed in double plastic bags before it is carried through the house.
If you have water under your floorboards, remove floor coverings and dispose of damaged paper products, dry the area, clean and disinfect the soaked floorboards, ventilate the room, and contact a professional like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore for complete restoration services.
When Should You Replace Subfloors? There are many signs that your damaged subfloor should be replaced with a new subfloor. These include squeaks and other noises, cupping or warping, cracked or popped tiles, sagging or unevenness, the smell of mold or mildew, or bubbling tile.
A wet subfloor doesn't always need to be replaced, but it must be thoroughly dried and assessed for damage. Use fans and dehumidifiers to dry it out. If the subfloor is swollen, warped, or has mold growth, replacement is necessary.
It's difficult to assess if the sub-floor is rotting until carpets or tile are pulled back and an inspection is conducted. However, if the sub-floor feels spongy and sags when walking across the floor, this is a sign of a rotted sub-floor.
Over time, due to water damage, pests, or simply wear and tear, subfloors can deteriorate and require replacement. While the task might seem daunting, with the right tools, materials, and know-how, it's a manageable project that can be tackled by DIY enthusiasts or professionals alike.
Does homeowners insurance cover subfloor? In general, homeowners insurance covers subfloor water damage. However, it must be caused by one of the perils listed in your insurance policy.
Given the complexity of subfloor repairs, you should really stick with a carpenter for this project. But if you want to install a new subfloor or underlayment over sound floor joists, hire a local flooring contractor for this step.
The most obvious is a spongy feel or “give” to the affected area. Other signs of water damage include warping in the floorboards of your hardwood floors, loose sections in your tile floor, bubbling or peeling in linoleum, lifting in your laminate flooring, or a musty smell that could indicate mold growth.
Homeowners insurance doesn't usually cover mold damage or removal unless it's the result of a covered peril. If the mold in your residence was caused by something sudden or accidental, such as a bursting pipe or some other covered incident on your policy, you may be protected.
Mold growths, or colonies, can start to grow on a damp surface within 24 to 48 hours. They reproduce by spores - tiny, lightweight “seeds”- that travel through the air. Molds digest organic material, eventually destroying the material they grow on, and then spread to destroy adjacent organic material.