It’s important to know what hardwood floor water damage looks like because wet flooring could be a sign of a much larger underlying issue, such as an undiscovered plumbing leak. Here’s what to look for when trying to spot signs of hardwood floor water damage.
Moisture Stains
Take a long, hard look at your wood floors. The color from one board to the next should be relatively consistent, so you know you have a problem if you see dark stains anywhere. This is a sure sign of water damage. In fact, the wood may feel damp to the touch. Even if the wood is now dry, more water damage could occur unless you find and fix the source of the leak.
Warped or Detached Wood
The damage to your hardwood floors will become increasingly apparent over time. For instance, the boards may swell and warp, creating uneven walking surfaces. The wood may also detach from the subflooring, making some boards an unsightly tripping hazard.
Wood Rot
Long-term water damage eventually leads to wood rot. This weakens your floors and subfloors, putting your home’s structural integrity into question. It’s unlikely for hardwood floor water damage to progress to this stage without you noticing unless the damage occurs in a rarely visited room or vacation home.
Common Causes of Hardwood Floor Water Damage
Water from many different sources can damage your hardwood floors. Here are some of the most common culprits:
- Storm damage and flooding: Heavy rainfall can cause floodwater to seep in under your doors or fill your window wells. Rising groundwater is also a common cause of flooded basements. Flying debris in a hurricane or tornado can even break your windows and send water pouring inside.
- Leaky appliances: If you notice a puddle of water leaking out from under your dishwasher, refrigerator, or washing machine, you undoubtedly have a leaky appliance on your hands. If the leak is small enough, you might notice ceiling damage in the room below, encouraging you to move the appliance to check for floor damage.
- Plumbing problems: Appliances aren’t the only source of plumbing leaks. Loose pipe connections can also cause a slow drip, drip, drip, damaging your hardwood floors and other structural components until you find and fix the leak. Broken pipes can also occur, causing more significant damage that rarely goes unnoticed.
- Sewer backups: The messiest type of water damage stems from a backed-up sewer system. Not only does this saturate your hardwood floors, but it also introduces harmful contaminants into your home. Because of the health hazards involved, you should always leave sewer damage cleanup to a licensed professional.
No matter the source of your hardwood floor water damage, it’s important to act quickly if you want to lessen the impact on your home. Turn to DKI for help! We are an experienced water damage restoration company serving homeowners and businesses across the US. To request the services you need, please call us at 877-533-0210 or contact us online today.