Set up fans to increase airflow and help evaporate moisture. Position them to blow air across the floor. Use a dehumidifier to reduce humidity levels in the room. This will help draw moisture out of the wood and air. If safe and suitable, use a space heater to warm the area, which can help speed up evaporation.
Most wood floors flooded with water will take weeks or more to fully dry out.
Dry As Much As You Can
Removing water from everywhere, including underneath cabinets or appliances, is vital to saving your wood floors. A moisture meter will check to make sure that the floors are completely dried. If you have a dehumidifier, that will help remove quite a bit of excess moisture.
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.
Using a Dehumidifier: If your wood is stored indoors or in a garage, a dehumidifier can speed up the drying process. By reducing the humidity in the air, you can help your wood lose moisture effectively. Just make sure to stack the wood in a way that allows air circulation.
Will Wet Wood Floor Go Back to Normal? No, in most cases, water-damaged wood flooring will not just “go back to normal”. As a professional water damage mitigation company, we regularly deal with multi-thousand-dollar water damage repair projects.
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.
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.
Length of Time Water Sits on Hardwood Floors
The longer the water sits on a hardwood floor, the more damage it causes. If water has been on the floor more than 24 hours, the potential for replacing the entire floor is significantly greater.
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.
Waxes and polyurethane finishes can inhibit the drying process and may need to be removed to facilitate the drying process. Dryers and dehumidifiers will be used to dry any wood that is salvageable. Drying may take 7-10 days or longer depending on the amount of moisture that the wood has absorbed.
If water gets trapped under flooring, it can cause mold to grow, which poses a health risk if left untreated. If water damage goes unnoticed, the moisture can spread to the subfloor, causing damage that will require a completely new flooring installation.
It can cause severe damage to the structure and foundation of a home, including the wood that makes up the framework. When wood gets wet, it can quickly lead to the like of wood rot, spreading fast and leading to costly repairs and hazards for your family and home.
There are four main ways to refresh a tired-looking wood floor: thorough cleaning, topping up the finish, buffing and polishing, or investing in a full sand and refinish. The method you choose will depend on the severity of your floor's condition.
Steps to Repair Water-Damaged Wood
Dry the Area: Set up fans or dehumidifiers to thoroughly dry the affected wood. Check the moisture levels with a moisture meter to ensure it's completely dry. Sand the Wood: Once the wood is dry, sand the damaged area with the appropriate grit of sandpaper.
Water damage to wood can be permanent if left untreated.