Wood floors and furniture are the best materials for a beautiful home. However, it is disappointing if the wood is flooded and damaged. Water destroys wood over time, so understanding this is crucial to preventing rot, finding solutions, and coming up with preventative measures.
The effects of water damage are numerous and severe. It can wreak havoc on furnishings, fixtures, and electronics. In addition, water damage can result in mold growth. Mold can grow behind walls or in other unnoticed areas if moisture is present. Therefore, it may require a water damage restoration company to deal with the water damage problem.
How quickly can water ruin wood?
Damage from water can have immediate effects, and water leaks can spread across your home in a matter of minutes. In addition, wood is a natural material susceptible to decay and mold when exposed to excessive moisture or water without much protection.
Water damage can ruin wood flooring within 48 hours to 7 days. Several causes of water damage, like a flood, would swell and distort your wood flooring. In addition, significant biohazard contamination is possible. Take action to avoid further damage to property and family members.
Others might also ask, how can deadly mold appear on wood? Toxic mold might have a slimy, wet surface or a soot-like, grey texture. You might even spot fuzzy orange or brown spots in some instances. Avoid getting too close and contact a professional immediately if you discover mold in your house that exhibits any of these characteristics.
How long does it take for wood to rot due to water?
In a wet environment, with hot, humid air, exposed to filth, and close to the ground, untreated wood can begin to rot in as little as six months. Water ruins the wood in an obvious way from 1 to 3 years. Several causes may note this problem, like rainfall, a leak in plumbing pipes, or sprinklers.
In addition, even if you regularly clean them, use treated solutions, and paint them every few years, wood will eventually start to rot after 10 to 25 years. Finally, remember that a water-damaged wooden floor is vulnerable to severe biohazard contamination; therefore, it is essential to address it immediately.
Tips on how to dry hardwood floors
Hardwood flooring’s worst enemy is water. Moisture can ready absorbed into wood because of its porous nature. So here are some key things to prevent significant damage to your hardwood floor.
- After being saturated with water, rugs, and furniture will continue to absorb moisture into the wood. Take all wet items out of the room and put them somewhere they can dry quickly without damaging the floor.
- A wet vacuum should remove more extensive water sources from the flooring. Therefore, you should keep using the damp vacuum even if the wood no longer shows signs of water.
- Utilize a non-foaming disinfectant cleaner and a scrub brush that will not harm the floor’s surface.
- When the flooring becomes dry, check for mold and mildew. If you notice mold in the wood’s pores, you may start with the basics, and if significant mold shows, call for a local water damage restoration company.
- Consider conducting a moisture test. Using a moisture testing meter, you may determine whether the wood still has any moisture.
- Use fans and a dehumidifier and let them run until the moisture test reveals that the wood is completely dry.
- Consider covering your hardwood floor with waterproof flooring after thoroughly cleaning and drying.
Signs of water damage to a hardwood floor
When water remains on a wood floor for a while, the wood absorbs the water. As a result, it can cause the wood to expand and distort. When the sides of the wooden planks on your floor are higher than the middle, this indicates a warped floor. And so, water damage is most probably the reason.
Discoloration of the wood, the floorboards lifting off the ground, and mold growth are other signs that the wood is damaged. Being proactive and cleaning up any amount of water immediately away is a smart move. However, because the consequences of water damage are gradual, you might not detect anything wrong with your wood flooring for a long time.
What can you use to get rid of water-related mold on wood?
Mold primarily thrives on damp and moist surfaces. Therefore, dry wood or wood exposed to sufficient sunlight will be relatively resistant to mildew. However, if a flood or water damage spreads across your wood, it may grow mold if you do not take prompt action.
Basic steps to eliminate mold on the wood are essential, especially if you have children and pets in the household. However, if the mold grows significantly, you may need the expertise of water damage restoration to handle it.
Most wood surfaces can be successfully cleaned of mold using vinegar, mainly white distilled vinegar. It will enable it to pierce the wood and eradicate the mold. On the other hand, a mixture of liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water is quite good in getting rid of mold when applied to painted or stained wood.
Water damage experts
Remember, the most crucial thing is never to wait for the flooring to dry naturally. Water damage will reduce the lifespan of the wood if you leave the water in place. Once it’s safe to return the property, cleanup and water damage restoration should happen quickly. Contact a water damage restoration pro within 24 to 48 hours to reduce mold and wood damage. Water damage behind walls and under floorboards is often worse than it appears. Again, it’s best to use a reliable restoration company.
Their team will examine the water damage and work needed to make your home safe again. Restoration involves drying and reinstalling flooring, drywall, and insulation. Pros will also analyze the salvageability of your water-damaged possessions. Depending on the water damage, expect to spend a few days to a few weeks drying out and repairing the home.
