After this, you will need to remove the top floor — the floorboards of wood flooring, carpeting, tile, linoleum, or other flooring materials — so that the subfloor can be exposed to open air, which will dry it out. Dehumidifiers may help in this process by drawing out moisture.
The first way that you can fix a subfloor moisture problem is by removing the finished floor and exposing the subfloor. Make sure that an HVAC system is installed or use a dehumidifier, and then, let the subfloor dry until the moisture levels have gone down.
You just need to make sure there is as much air circulation to all sides and edges of the sheet as possible, as these are the key areas in need of drying. If you are drying the wood outdoors, it is a good idea to place it in an area with direct sunlight as this can speed up the process significantly.
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.
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.
However, as with all other wood products, plywood should be protected from moisture and especially water, as it will soak that water up. A small amount of rain will not ruin plywood. A few showers of rain or a storm on your plywood will be ok as long as it is for only an hour at the most.
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.
Moisture is the primary factor that promotes mold growth on plywood. This moisture can come from various sources, such as leaks, condensation, or high humidity levels.
To further speed up the drying process, set up an electric heater. The heat will help evaporate the moisture faster. If the water-damaged wood is in an enclosed space, consider using a dehumidifier.
Sub floor ventilation systems are very effective in homes that experience a continuing musty odour or where there is mould on shoes and clothes in wardrobes or on furniture in living spaces. Subfloor ventilation can remove ground moisture from underneath raised floors, creating a drier and warmer sub floor area.
Key Takeaways. 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.
The process of changing a liquid into vapour is called evaporation. The water present on the mopped floor absorbs heat from the room and becomes vapour. This process dries up the room. Hence, mopped floor dries up due to evaporation of water.
Usually, this will mean removing the flooring on-top of your subfloor. Sometimes wooden subfloors can be dried out and returned to their previous condition, but in severe floods or cases with extensive water damage they will likely need to be replaced as well.
Even though your floor looks dry, chances are moisture is still lurking beneath the surface. 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.
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.
Add a vapor barrier
Adding a vapor barrier entails adding an underlayment below the subfloor in order to keep ground moisture from seeping into the subfloor. If you suspect that the moisture issues are caused by water vapor coming from the ground, this can be an excellent solution.
You can seal a subfloor using a sealant specifically designed for subfloors, such as a penetrating sealer or a moisture barrier. Penetrating sealers are typically made from a wax or oil-based formula that soaks into the wood, protecting it from moisture and rot.
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.
The drier the air, the faster the water will evaporate. Therefore, a dehumidifier will dry the air in a room, allowing for faster evaporation. Moving air, such as with a fan, will also speed up the drying process. If that doesn't work to dry the floor in a few days, you will need to move to more drastic measures.
If moisture seepage is already occurring, the most effective way to remove it is to use a dehumidifier and fans to draw out the humidity from the air. This should be done in conjunction with sealing the slab.