Wood floors make our homes look cozier and help increase their property value. But even though they typically come with a protective coating, this doesn’t make them waterproof. As water is this flooring system’s main weakness, any water restoration company, Scottsdale, Arizona would know how vital it is to act fast once your floor comes in contact with water.
In this article, we’ll give you a comprehensive walkthrough about the things you need to know and steps have to undertake should you have water-damaged wood floors.
Why Act Swiftly: Water Damage Consequences
Wood floors have wood cellulose fibers that can soak up water, that when released can cause rotting. Water-damaged wood floors can also sag when not addressed immediately. What’s worse is that your home’s substructures can also get affected, leaving a negative impact on your property’s structural integrity.
Nonetheless, it isn’t just your floors or your home that are at risk. Water damage — in the form of mold and mildew growth — can also take its toll on your and your household’s health. These health consequences include triggering asthma and increasing one’s risk of developing skin and respiratory ailments.
With all these adverse effects, it’s only understandable why experts affiliated with a water restoration company, Scottsdale, Arizona advise homeowners to act swiftly once their wood floors become water-damaged.
Preventing Water Damage
Standing water per se doesn’t create mold instantly. Bacteria growth is actually attributed to a combination of water, dirt, and grime. Hence, one way to help prevent water damage is to clean regularly.
When cleaning wood floors, it is important to use wood care products recommended by the flooring system’s manufacturer. Microfiber mops are also preferred to help protect your wood floor’s sealant and protective coating.
If Your Wood Floors Got Damaged By Water, Here’s What You Should Do
If the damage has already been done, here are the things you need to undertake:
Remove surface water. One of the first steps in addressing water-damaged water floors is the removal of surface water. You can do so by using vacuums on wet mode, and getting aid from dehumidifiers, electric fans, and even hairdryers. If it’s not possible to open your door and windows because of the outside environment’s humidity level, utilize your HVAC system.
Scrub the floor. To prevent bacterial growth, you need to remove all dirt and grime. Gently scrub the floor using a solution made up of warm and clean water, mild detergent, and a compatible disinfectant. Make sure to use water minimally. If you see moldy areas, scrub them off using cleaning agents available on most wood floor stores.
Replace the laminate. Your wood floors’ laminate material is highly sensitive to water damage. As it can be a potential place where mold and mildew and thrive, experts recommend replacing them once they get damaged by water.
Seek help from restoration experts. Though addressing water-damaged wood floors can be done through DIY works, it’s still best to get help from a water restoration company, Scottsdale, Arizona. Restoration pros can identify the root cause of the problem, fix it accordingly, and carry out the restoration process more effectively and efficiently.
ASAP is a trusted water restoration company, Scottsdale, Arizona. Our team of certified professionals is always ready to help you recover from an unfortunate disaster. Contact us today!