Looks like you’re here because it’s hurricane season. Tragically, many people have lost homes and have been displaced. If you are one of the lucky ones who still has a house standing, you probably have a lot of damage throughout. Your hardwood floors are just one of the many things you probably have to repair – but they are important.
If you have wood floors on the main level of your house, more than likely they will have to be replaced completely. Hardwood floors with extreme water damage are not usually salvageable. It means ripping up your water logged floors and doing a brand new floor installation. However, if you have wood floors on the second floor of your home, there is definitely a possibility of repairing them. Even if they have flood damage, you will probably be able to restore them.
How To Dry Out Wet Floorboards
Step 1. Take anything water logged out of the room with wood floors. This includes wet carpet, area rugs, sitting cushions, etc.
Step 2. Soak up as much standing water as you can. Use a mop or towels. Once you feel like you can’t get any more water off the wood floors, it is a good idea to use a wet vacuum.
Step 3. Wet vacuum. Even if you think the water is all gone, it is absorbed in the wooden floorboards. Wet vacuum cleaners are readily for a rental from your local building supply store. (You can also buy one but I recommend only buying one if you are in a flood zone. Otherwise you will hardly ever use it.) Only stop using the wet vacuum cleaner once you see no more water entering the vacuum canister. Continue reading for steps 4-8.