Hardwood Floor Water Damage Repair
Hardwood floors can improve a homes appearance overall, in addition to adding value to the home. Water damage to a hardwood floor come be caused by a number of things, but there is a way to repair it. If moisture from water gets underneath hardwood floor it can cause a short of ripple effect. You can save some money and try a few different things to fix the water damage to the hardwood floor yourself.
Things you'll need:
- Industrial fans
- Drywall knife
- Floor sanding machine
- Edge sander
- Dehumidifier
- Drill
- Paintbrush
- Mineral spirits
- Cloth
- Floor-finish applicator
- Water-based polyurethane
- Sealer
- Rent or purchase large industrial fans, and point them down towards the water damage hardwood floor. Open the windows in the area of the wet hardwood floor, and if it is warm outside let your air conditioner run. Do this to help begin the drying process for the hardwood floor.
- Put additional fans in your basement or crawlspace pointed towards the direction underneath the damage hardwood floor to help dry out the sub floor from underneath, if possible.
- Clear out any puddles that may be sitting between the floors by drilling a few holes in the sub floor. Place a dehumidifier underneath the area of your hardwood flooring to help remove extra moisture as well.
- Contact a contractor for wood floors after about five or six months to have them come and test the moisture for some of your undamaged hardwood. They will use an electronic moisture meter to determine the equilibrium moisture content where the water damage has occurred. This will confirm that the hardwood is completely dry if the moisture content is the same.
- Remove the floor's old finish by sanding down the hardwood floor to its bare wood. Use a damp cloth with spirits minerals to wipe the sawdust from the floor. Apply a base coat of sealer to the hardwood floor. Then, apply three coats of water-based polyurethane to the floor. Be sure to allow the floor to fully dry between each coat.