Wooden Floors and Water Damage - Don't Miss This Step!

7/20/2021 (Permalink)

Think about the stubbed toe you'd get on this bad boy. Yikes.

When wood or wood laminate flooring is damaged by water and must be replaced, it is not as simple as removing the old floor and replacing it with a new one. Water damage accounts for thousands of dollars of loss every year. Our experts at SERVPRO Kaufman County & Cedar Creek are familiar with the many pitfalls that can be faced if restoration is not undertaken correctly. Wooden floors are a beautiful feature that adds value to your home. While you may be eager to replace them after water damage, read on to avoid becoming a statistic and falling into the common errors of wooden floors and water damage.

Many people fail to realize it is critical to assess the surface under the floor and whether it is sufficiently dry. Most people aren't aware that if the surface is a concrete slab, it's impossible tell if it's dry only by touching it. Because failing to properly dry the underlying surface could cause harm to your new flooring, you'll want to make sure this is done correctly. This especially critical with concrete slabs.

Drying concrete slabs

Concrete must always contain some moisture by its sheer nature, but it will evaporate any surplus water until it reaches equilibrium. This process could take months if left to dry naturally, and it's almost impossible to know when it's complete. 

A concrete slab's surface may appear dry, but actually still be emitting moisture vapor. Because that vapor will cause new flooring laid on top of it to warp, a calcium chloride test is performed first to assess the present level of moisture. It is critical this happens before new flooring is installed on top of a concrete slab. The results of this test will be compared to the "dry standard" that must be met prior to the installation of new flooring.

Our technicians at SERVPRO Kaufman County & Cedar Creek are trained to work with concrete. When your lab is tested dry, you can lay your new floor with confidence and rest easy knowing no further moisture damage is happening. 

If you slab still contains moisture, technicians can perform a slab dry. This expedites the drying process, making sure you face as little disruption as possible. 

Remember, what's under the floor is just as important as the wood itself!

Don't become a statistic. If your wooden floor suffers water damage, the experts at SERVPRO of Kaufman County & Cedar Creek are ready to help. Our expert technicians can test your slab against the dry standard. If you still have moisture, we can get you dried out, and get you on your way to a new wooden floor quickly. 

For help with water damage on your wooden floor, or any area of your home, call SERVPRO of Kaufman County & Cedar Creek.