Water Damage to Wood Flooring

Identification

• Spills, floods and high humidity are common sources of water damage to wood flooring. Your wood flooring likely has water damage if you see areas that are discolored, rotten, cracked or warped. Wooden floors in bathrooms, kitchens and basements are prone to water damage.

Considerations

• It's important to remove moisture from a wooden floor before attempting repairs. Open windows, dehumidifiers and fans are effective for drying a wooden floor. Once the floor is dry, you can proceed with repairs; however, you might need to replace the entire floor if it has suffered extensive damage.

Prevention/Solution

• Wood floors become damaged after prolonged exposure to moisture. The best way to protect a wood floor is to prevent damage from occurring in the first place. Steps to protect your floor include drying spills as soon as they occur, applying a protective sealant such as polyurethane, and checking your home for leaks.