How to Dry Out a Flooded Hardwood Floor

Wash off the hardwood floor with fresh water if it's coated with mud, silt, etc.

Scrub the floorboards with a stiff brush dipped in a mixture of water, detergent, and disinfectant to remove the mud and silt from corners and between the floorboards.

Remove any vent covers and/or insulation under the floor to enable better air circulation. Don't use heaters or air conditioners to rush the drying of a hardwood floor, though, because this can cause additional damage such as cracking or splitting.

Place weights or shoring on the floors to discourage warping and/or buckling during drying. If some boards do seem to warp or buckle, wait until the floor completely dries before replacing them. Further drying may help them straighten out.

Open windows to improve air circulation. Allow natural ventilation and evaporation to dry the floor. Wood floors must dry gradually.