Determining Whether Water-Damaged Floors Can Be Repaired or Replaced

Hey folks! This is Tim from A Team Hardwoods LLC.

Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from you all on the internet.

Today's question is:

"Determining Whether Water-Damaged Floors Can Be Repaired or Replaced"

Summary:

When a homeowner calls about water damage, Tim's first step is to determine how long the damage has been present. If someone had a water event six months ago and was told to let it dry out, the prolonged exposure may have done more harm than good. His process begins with showing up, inspecting, and asking questions about when the leak happened or whether it could still be leaking. From there, his recommendation hinges on the floor's condition. If the floor is nearly laying flat or crowned by the time he arrives, and it has already gone through the drying process, he can refinish it. However, if the floor is cupping with little mountain-peak ridges, he typically recommends tearing out that area, drying out the subfloor, patching it back in, and refinishing. That, he explains, is the safest route to a lasting result.

Answer:

First would be to find out how long the damage has been there. If they're calling me and they had water damage six months ago and were told to let it dry out, by the time I inspect it, in the long run leaving it like that may have done more bad than good. So the first thing is we show up, we inspect, ask questions, see when the leak happened or if it's still leaking. At that point, if it's something that's almost laying flat, or by the time we get there it's crowned and already gone through the dry process, we could refinish it. But if it's cupping, where you'll have little mountain peaks through it, then we'd probably suggest the best way is to tear out that area, dry out the subfloor, patch it back in, and refinish the floor. That's going to be your safest route.