Commercial Hardwood Floor Water Damage Repair

Few things affect the cost of repairing water-damaged hardwood floors. The extent of the damage and the area over which it has occurred play a major factor. You might be looking at several hundred up to a few thousand bucks, on average. If the damage is localized (and if it's shallow), costs will be on the lower end; if lots of boards have been thoroughly soaked and have warped, expect much higher costs. We might also need to factor in the costs of repairing subfloor damage and possible rectification of the area above the floor, if it's necessary.

Certainly, it is often possible to repair a hardwood floor that has sustained water damage. The feasibility of repairing such a floor hinges on the severity of the damage. If the damage is confined and the wood is merely wet—and not severely warped or rotting—it may dry out, be sanded (a.k.a. refinished or planed), and be restored to a like-new condition. However, in cases where the damage is widespread and serious—where the wood is buckling, delaminating, or rotting—the floor may need significant replacement work in order to restore its integrity. Ah, the great, fast action that can stave off an easier-to-repair disaster! Since the floor is a large and heavy "structure," it may need time to gel back into the swelled shape it was meant to take before it dried and warped. And to make matters worse, time is not on the side of the wet wood. A return to an equilibrium moisture content is the goal.

The specific insurance policy you have determines whether or not insurance will cover water damage to a wood floor. Homeowners insurance typically covers sudden and accidental water damage, such as damage from a burst pipe. But what about water damage that occurs over time? Or damage from a flood?

To repair hardwood floors that have been damaged by urine, you must first clean the area so that no more harm can be done. That means, first and foremost, soaking up as much liquid as possible. Then you need to clean it with a solution of warm water and a very mild soap (the type that's okay for cleaning hands and skin). Next, you have to sand it—very lightly—so you don't take away too much of the wood, and that would mean applying a wood finish so that the whole thing matches what was there in the first place.

Repairing hardwood floors typically costs less than replacing them. When you repair, you fix only those parts that are damaged. That may include sanding scratches smooth or filling in gaps. "Saves ya money," Zinn says. "It definitely costs much more to replace than it does to repair." But if you have really significant damage, Zinn admits that replacement might be your best option.

Yes, wood can often be repaired with water damage. First, it is important to dry the wood completely, using fans or dehumidifiers. After it is dry, you might notice that the wood has become discolored or warped. Sanding the surface can remove imperfections and stains. If the wood is slightly distorted, it might be possible to press it back into shape by placing weights on it. For more serious damage, like rot or mold, it might be necessary to replace some planks or sections.

Some hardwood floors cannot be refinished because they are too thin. If the wood is engineered, it might have only a very small layer of real hardwood on top. Once that layer is sanded down, there's not enough wood left to refinish. Also, floors that have been refinished too many times already might be worn out. In those cases, the wood might be too weak or damaged to handle another refinishing. Plus, if the wood has serious water damage, refinishing won’t help. The boards might need to be replaced.

The expense to refinish 500 square feet of hardwood flooring can fluctuate quite a bit. On average, it may be around 1,500 to 3,000 U.S. dollars. This is dependent on many factors, such as the condition of the floor and the kind of finish. If the floor needs more attention than usual, like repairing several pronounced scratches, or if the finish is something really out of the ordinary, the price might be higher. Get several quotes before making a decision.

Restoring 1000 square feet of hardwood floors typically requires about 3 to 5 days. The first step is the preparation of the space and sanding down the old finish at the time of writing. This is an important step that can take a long time and should not be rushed. It is better to wear out a sandpaper disc than to make the mistake of not sanding enough. Next, or perhaps in the same step, one applies the new finish, which must have a proper amount of time to dry and cure before the space can be usable again. Finally, if new finish is applied, the space should be left clear for at least 24 hours after the last step to ensure that the new finish has fully cured.

Wood floors in brown or natural wood colors won't ever go out of style. They work well with the nearly infinite variety of furniture and wall colors that you could dream of (or afford!). They give rooms a warm and cozy feeling and their ageless elegance makes them look classic. People like them because they're a safe choice if you ever think you might want to swap out any of your other room decor.