All of the rain that’s bound to fall is great for your garden and your landscape, but it’s not so good when you come back inside and track mud and water all over your home’s hardwood floors.
Now that we’re well into April, you might not be surprised to see rain in the forecast. All of the rain that’s bound to fall is great for your garden and your landscape, but it’s not so good when you come back inside and track mud and water all over your home’s hardwood floors. So what do you do next?
How Water Damage Happens
As great as it is, even hardwood can fall victim to water damage. Any time you spill some water on your floors, you should clean it up immediately. Wood can soak up some water, but not much, so you need to be careful. And if you’re planning on getting out of town this weekend, make sure that you don’t leave your water running or that the pipes inside your home don’t burst. Prevention doesn’t always work, but it’s better than nothing. Now let’s look at how you can identify signs of water damage.
Identifying Water Damage
The symptoms of water damage will look different depending on the amount and duration of the water exposure. Here are some of the things you should keep an eye out for:
- Stains on your hardwood floors
- Cupping and your subfloor weakening
- Nails coming loose
- Gaps in your floorboards, and the boards coming up
- Mold and mildew infestation
Because condensation and humidity will affect the performance of your floors, you might find fluctuating levels of moisture in your hardwood floors. In general, the moisture levels should be somewhere between only 6 and 12 percent. Flooding can be catastrophic, and even worse than spilling a drink such as water, lemonade, or even red wine on your hardwood floors.
Should You Replace?
Now the next question you have to answer is whether you should replace your hardwood floors. Sometimes, all you’ve got to do is repair or refinish them, but in some cases, a total replacement might be called for; here are some ways you can tell:
- How long there’s been water damage
- Whether your floor is solid or engineered hardwood
- How badly the floor was damaged
If the water damage is so extensive that it has reached the subfloor, then you should consider replacing it, but otherwise, sanding and refinishing should suffice.
Ready for a Beautiful Hardwood Floor? You Can Trust John K Eareckson & Co.!
When you work with John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring, we will ensure your hardwood floors undergo a stress-free acclimation process and that they sparkle for years to come. From a seamless and beautiful installation to years of maintenance, John K Eareckson & Co. Flooring has the expertise to care for your home’s hardwood floors. For a consultation and more information visit us online or give us a call at 410-788-4200. You can also follow us on Facebook, Google+, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr.