Engineered wood and solid wood flooring can be resistant to small water spillages if they are wiped away immediately, but if puddles of water or liquid are left on the hardwood floor for a significant amount of time, the liquid may soak into the flooring and seep between the boards. This can cause damage to your floor in terms of warping, distortion, discolouration and it may ruin the finish.
If the damage is only slight, then the floor can be sanded and re-finished. If however, the damage is more extensive and has been caused by a significant amount of standing water or water under pressure (burst pipes or a flood), causing heavily swollen and warped floor boards, the only option may be to completely remove and replace the floor. Before a new hardwood floor is laid, the subfloor must be tested for moisture to ensure it is dry; otherwise the newly laid floor may become damaged by the excess moisture rising from the subfloor.
It is recommended that any repair work to hardwood flooring is undertaken by a professional who will assess the damage and determined whether the floor can be repaired or whether it needs to be replaced. The best way to avoid water damage is to follow these simple preventative measures:
• Try to avoid water and liquid spills
• Wipe up any spills immediately using an absorbent cloth
• Use door mats at entrance doors to wipe excess water off footwear
• Remove outdoor footwear before walking on hardwood floors
• Act quickly if water or liquid is found on a hardwood floor
