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How to Prevent and Repair Water Damage on Your Hardwood Floor

Water damage on your hardwood floor can be a nightmare. Even though hardwood floors are extremely durable and can last for decades when maintained properly, water can negate that in a matter of minutes. That’s why we’ve put together this list of tips and tricks to prevent and repair water damage on your hardwood floor.

Take Steps to Prevent Small Scale Damage

Hardwood floors are porous by nature since they are derived from a plant. But this also means they are susceptible to even the smallest spills. They can absorb the water quickly, causing immediate or eventual damage.

So what can a hardwood floor owner do? Well first of all, you should try to avoid even small spills. If they do happen, however, clean them quickly and thoroughly. Also, be sure to only use oil-based cleaners on your hardwood floors, since water-based cleaners can destroy them.

Make sure to ask guests and family members to remove their shoes before walking on your hardwood floor. This will minimize the likelihood that your floors will get wet from rain, snow, or other outside particles that stick to the bottom of shoes.

Just these little things can make a big difference in your floor’s longevity. So be careful and keep your hardwood floors safe from spills and other kinds of minor water damage.

Select Where You Install Hardwood Carefully

Because hardwood is susceptible to moisture, it is important to be careful about where you install hardwood flooring. There’s a reason why you never see hardwood floors in bathrooms! Only installing hardwood in areas where the moisture doesn’t get too high is a good way to ensure your floors won’t be damaged.

A lesser known fact about installing hardwood floors is that basements also tend to be rather moist areas with low ventilation. The goods news is that if you do happen to want to put hardwood flooring in your basement, there’s a solution.

Engineered hardwood flooring is designed to combat moisture, unlike its solid hardwood counterpart. If you live in a climate that is particularly humid or moist, then engineered flooring may be the best option for your entire home, not just the basement.

Install a Humidistat

Humidistats are installed in HVAC systems in order to control the humidity in a building. They’re very effective in dehumidifying the atmosphere and can be incredibly helpful with keeping your hardwood moisture-free.

Make sure you’re familiar with how to read your humidistat and how to maintain the humidity in your home. This can lengthen your floor’s life.

Fix Minor Damages Yourself

Fans and dehumidifiers can be used to fix minor water damage in your floor and subfloor. That’s the beauty of hardwood: it’s incredibly durable.

Fully drying your floor should restore it back to its original beauty, even if your floor has buckled from the water. And if it’s extremely damaged on the surface, refinishing is always an option as well.

Call a Professional When It’s Severe

Sometimes even using fans doesn’t repair your floor. If it’s still buckling and you’ve tried everything, call a professional. You floor may have detached from the subfloor in this case.

The good news is that your floor isn’t lost. A professional can fix it for you easily enough. Just make sure to be more careful in the future by following the tips listed above!

Hardwood floors are a luxurious item and should be treated as such. Always treat you hardwood flooring with care. If you do, you’ll be sure to enjoy it for decades to come!

This is particularly true if you purchase your hardwood floor from JAS certified PurezaWood. We provide the highest quality luxury hardwood flooring in the Chicago area.

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