How to Save Your Floor From Water Damage

Water is an absolute danger to your wood floors. There is no doubt about it. It can cause rot, mold, and a loss of structural integrity. If your wooden floors are in danger of being damaged by water, then the first 24 hours are vital to saving it. Leaky pipes or roof, natural disasters, and sewage issues can all create conditions where your floor is at risk. Here is how to help save them within 24 hours.

Find the Source

If you’ve got water on your floor, the first step should be to locate the source of the problem. Inspect the area around where the water is. Could it be pipes? Perhaps your roof is leaking? There are several possible causes, and you will need to fix or contain that problem before moving to the next step.

Mop Up Duty

Next up is removing any standing water from your floors. Using a mop is probably the main way to do this, but in some cases you may need towels or other tools. Even if a section of your floor has already been damaged, removing the water quickly within 24 hours can help prevent that damage from spreading.

Dry

Mopping and towelling will not get your floor completely dry, no matter how hard you try. You will need to expose the floor to air circulation. Open any windows and place fans around the room, along with dehumidifiers, to help move the air around. Allowing the wood to dry naturally and from within will help ensure that all the moisture is gone. Proper circulation will help prevent mold as well.

Traffic Police

During that first 24 hours, after you’ve mopped and are letting it dry, it is important to keep foot traffic to a minimum. That means putting barriers up to prevent children and pets from trodding on it. Once the floors have completely dried, then you can go through your normal floor cleaning procedure.

Finding standing water on your floor can be a horrifying sight. However, some quick action within the first 24 hours can help save your floor and have it looking as good as new in no time.