Signs That Your Hardwood Floors Are Water Damaged

Whether you just had them installed or they’ve been there for years, you want to protect the look and feel of your hardwood floors. That’s easier said than done—especially in the case of water damage. If your property recently experienced a burst pipe, appliance malfunction, or natural disaster that left your floors flooded, you must act quickly. Water can cause irreparable damage to wood planks and seep below into the subfloor, where it can wreak havoc. 

After a water loss, you should look out for signs of water damage on your hardwood floors. Identifying damage early can help you prevent the damage from worsening. It can also save you from needing to repair/replace a larger area than necessary. Look out for these signs of hardwood water damage. 

What Causes Water Damage on Hardwood Floors?

Water is the bane of wood flooring. Wood is susceptible to water, causing it to warp, discolor, and ultimately require repair or replacement. Sources of water can include appliance leaks, burst pipes, flooding, and more. Worse yet, some of these sources can go undetected until damage is noticeable. 

Water damage is rarely a simple fix. In many cases, the underlying cause of the damage must be addressed before you tackle damaged hardwood floors. That’s why it’s important to know the signs of hardwood floor water damage. The sooner to act, the greater the possibility of minimizing the damage. 

Signs of Hardwood Floor Water Damage

1. Discoloration and Fading

Hardwood floors are highly coveted because they look so appealing. That can quickly change if it comes into contact with water for extended periods. Water damage can cause discolored floors. Whether your wood floors have a natural color variation or not, the appearance of stains, dark patches, or white streaks and rings should be a cause for concern. Some signs are the result of water that’s dried up while others may be signs of an ongoing problem. Either way, you’ll want to investigate further to ensure no more damage is done. 

2. Warped Floorboards

Are any of the floorboards raised, curled, or deformed? If yes, then you likely have a water damage issue. Excess humidity, leaks, and other types of flooding can cause warped floorboards. As wood planks absorb water, they can start pushing and shifting into other planks. When the water finally dries, the wood doesn’t resettle to its former state—it’s morphed into humped shapes. 

3. Mold and Mildew Growth

Even if the surface of your hardwood flooring appears and feels dry, moisture and excess water could have seeped into the subfloors. There it can quickly provide the necessary conditions for mold growth. You could have the start of a mold infestation in as little as 24 hours of water damage. If you’re seeing green, black, white, or another color growth on the floors or musty smells coming from the water-damaged flooring, then you likely already have a mold problem. 

4. Cupping and Buckling Boards

Similar to warping floorboards, some planks may buckle or cup as a result of water damage. As you walk across your hardwood flooring, you expect an even surface. But cupping and buckling boards can create uneven surfaces, making this sign relatively easy to notice. Cupping and buckling can also trap water and moisture in the subflooring as well, so be sure to check for mold. 

5. Wood Rot

Water-damaged hardwood floors cannot be neglected. The longer flooring is left untreated, the higher the risk of wood rot setting in. Rot can weaken the structural integrity of floors and subfloors, making the area potentially unsafe to be in. 

Call Power Dry To Dry Your Water Damage Hardwood

It’s not easy discovering you have water-damaged hardwood floors. The thought of having to repair or replace them is enough to ruin your week. However, the quicker you call Power Dry for our hardwood drying services, the better chance you have at saving your hardwood floors. Our team uses a proven process to identify wet areas, deploy extraction and dry equipment, and help ensure mold doesn’t set in. 

Whether it’s midnight or midday, you can rely on our emergency 24-hour services. Our team can be on-site within 60 minutes to get started. Call our IICRC-certified technicians at (913) 285-8775 or contact us online for a free assessment.