What Should I Consider after a Wood Floor is Flooded?

In the event of a flooded hardwood floor, you should immediately drain the excess water, assess and document the damages, clear the flooded area, clean the dirt and dry the floor using air blowing equipment and dehumidifiers. At the end of this process, if the floor shows signs of cupping and crowning, consult a professional hardwood flooring installer to help you get the floor back in shape.

Successful restoration of flooded hardwood depends on factors such as response time, type of wood, amount of moisture and the degree of water damage already present. In any case, consider hiring a professional disaster restoration company that can adapt to the situation and provide specialized equipment for efficient drying. While waiting for the specialists to arrive at your home, here’s what you can do:

• Stop the flow of water if the flooding occurred due to a burst pipe, washing machine failure or water heater failure.
• Turn off the power to the affected room until the water has been removed.
• Assess the damages before you begin the restoration in order to determine whether to clean up or replace the floor. Take photos, list damaged items and show them to your insurance company.
• Remove any items (carpet, furniture, etc.) from the floor and take them to a dry area. Wear protective gear such as gloves, rubber boots and a mask.
• Open windows and doors and to allow moisture to evaporate more quickly.
• Start removing the excess water with a wet/dry vacuum cleaner or with mops and old cloth. If the water level is deep, use a pump to drain the water. Ask someone to help, since the longer the water stays on the floor, the higher the chances are for mold to grow and the bigger the damages will be.
• Use dehumidifiers, heaters and fans to speed up the drying process. Place them on top of an elevated surface in the flooded area and close the windows. Direct the fans towards the floor’s surface.
• Clean any debris and mud from the floor with non-abrasive brush and detergent while the heaters, fans and dehumidifiers are running. Rinse the floor with clean water and continue to dry the floor.

In conclusion, when dealing with a flooded hardwood floor, act quickly and contact a professional flood remediation company, such as PuroClean, that can mitigate the damages and implement the best possible course of action.