What Do You Do With Water Damage?

It happens. Whether you left the kitchen sink on and forgot, or your water heater leaked, sometimes you will have to deal with water damage in your home. There's no use crying over spilled water though, your floors can be repaired or replaced. Here are a few things things you need to figure out before starting the repairs.

Are Your Floors Damaged?

Wood & Laminate Floors: When wood floors are damaged, you will notice cupping, with dips and raised edges in the planks. Dark spots may also be found in your floors; sometimes it's just part of the natural pattern, but it could also be mold. Your floor planks may bubble upward creating a crown shape, or there could also be buckling, with the planks being completely removed from the floor underneath. Be aware and pay attention to your floors after water damage.

Vinyl Flooring: If you notice any stains or discoloration that were not there to begin with, you could have damage and mold happening.

3 Steps to Repairing Your Floors

1. Remove Water - The first thing you'll want to do is remove all of the excess water. For large pools of water, you can use a wet vacuum. After you've taken care of those, you can point fans towards the area to assist with the drying. You may even use dehumidifiers to help remove the water from the air, and the floors. Sometimes just getting the area dry is all you need, but usually more work will be necessary.

2. Remove Damaged Flooring - After you've dried the area completely and have decided there is water damage, you'll want to remove the damaged flooring. With laminate, you can remove the boards starting at the nearest wall. Hardwood floors are a little more complicated; you'll use a saw to cut into the floor and a pry bar to remove the damaged planks. With your vinyl, flooring you'll use a utility to cut out the damaged area and then find something you can pry it off the floor with.

3. Inspect the Subfloor - After you've removed the damaged flooring, you'll want to inspect the subfloor. If it's plywood, it will likely have to be replaced. If it's concrete then you'll check if there is any remaining moisture. If you still find moisture, continue drying it with the steps from above and then reinstall new flooring.

Floors For Less

We certainly hope that you won't have to deal with water damage, but mistakes happen, and sometimes you can't prevent a flooded floor. Whether you're looking for a new flooring due to water damage, or because you're upgrading your home, we have the best flooring in Madison! We would love to help you choose a flooring that will compliment your home and be very functional as well.  Come visit our flooring showroom in Madison and let our experience make your home look better!

For all your flooring needs, contact the BEST flooring company in Madison, WI! 

Floors for Less

1017 Applegate Rd., Suite 200

Madison, WI 53713

Phone: 608-442-1200

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