Although at first you may believe your wooden flooring may be unsalvageable after flooding, there are in fact many ways in which you can prevent and potentially rescue your wood flooring! This blog will outline some easy-to-follow steps to help you do just that.

Prevention of Water Damage to Wooden Flooring 

The important thing to note is prevention is always easier than salvaging water-damaged wooden flooring, so taking wood flooring preservation seriously is highly advisable.  A sealer, such as wax or polyurethane, will have been put on your wood floor if it was placed by a professional to protect it. It’s crucial to reseal your wood as soon as possible if your hardwood floor has been in place for a while or if you’re moving into a house with an old wooden floor. 

Sealants essentially serve as a barrier between your flooring and the stresses of daily life. Although sealants perform an excellent job of preventing liquids from immediately penetrating your wood, this does not imply that the wood is fully waterproof. If your water damage prevention fails, fear not, for at Just Wood Flooring we offer a resanding and renovation service to ensure your wood flooring can appear as its former self once again!

How to Salvage Water-Damaged Wood Flooring

Here are five essential steps that will help to restore your wooden flooring and minimise water damage:

1. Clear the floor of any wet items – After being saturated with water, rugs and furniture will continue to absorb moisture into the wood.
2. Soak up excess water – Small spills and puddles may be quickly cleaned up using towels, mops, and clean rags.
3. Clean the floor – Use antibacterial liquids to clean the area and remove debris to prevent further damage to the flooring.
4. Leave the wood floor to dry – Even if the wood flooring seems dry, water may have seeped into the individual boards. dry the flooring. Try using a dehumidifier and set it at its maximum level. Place it in the middle of the space and leave it on for at least a day.
5. Check for mould – Although salvaging your wooden flooring is important, your health is far more important. Mould poses a serious health risk within residential and commercial structures. When exposed to mould some may develop allergic responses and respiratory issues. If you do find mould on your wood flooring it is advisable to clean the floor with a baking soda and water solution to kill the mould. 

These are some steps you can take to restore your wooden flooring yourself but, in the event of a serious flood, it is better to allow professionals to step in and restore your wooden flooring for you. If you need some advice relating to water-damaged wooden flooring, feel free to contact us today – we’ll be happy to talk you through your options.