Where Water Damage to Wood Floors Might Begin | SERVPRO® of Houston County

7/14/2020 (Permalink)

If you have wood floors in your home, you understand the importance of protecting them from moisture as much as possible. While a simple spill will not lead to damages, if you have a leak or other issue at play, over time, it can wreak havoc on your beautiful flooring and cause warping, expansion and even mold and mildew growth. Understanding what causes this and where to look for damage can help you make sure your flooring is protected. 

Where Water Damage to Wood Floors Can Originate 

The first step to treating water damage to wood floors is determining where the damage is originating from. The occasional spill will not cause serious damages, and most signs of damage are due to moisture that persists as time goes on. 

If you notice damage on your wood floor, check the following places: 

Around windows or doors.? If you have older windows or doors that are not sealed properly, it is possible that the water is seeping in around the framing. In this case, you will likely notice water damage indicators on the drywall around the external opening as well as the floor underneath. 

Around your radiators.? If your home uses radiator heat, it is possible that one of these could be leaking water directly onto your wood floors. Since all the radiator components are visible, this should be fairly simple to check. 

Around water lines.? If it is not either of those issues, it might mean that there is a hidden issue at play. Because water lines run to your refrigerator, dishwasher and laundry machines, if your water damage is located around any of these appliances, you likely have an internal leak that is causing damage to your floors. 

Around areas with heavy plumbing. ?Any part of your house that has water lines or plumbing pipes in the walls or ceiling may be able to cause damage to your wood floors. While you will likely also notice damage to drywall or your ceiling if this is the case, depending on where your leak is originating, you may notice it on the floors before anything else. 

If you have water-damaged hardwood in your home, we are here to help! Contact us today to learn more about our water restoration services and how we can help you today.