Water damage can come out of the blue and has an effect on anything near it. Unfortunately, the floors can be very susceptible to water damage because they usually get the brunt of the damage. After experiencing a difficult disaster such as water damage, it may be difficult to know where to go from there. Trying to figure out whether or not your home has been water damaged is an important first step just as water damage can also result in problems such as mold.
Among all the different types of flooring, hardwood and carpet are the most prone to water damage. Both materials are known to be very absorbent and are typically hard to restore. Additionally, the longer that the flooring is exposed to water, the deeper the water has traveled, making it harder to restore. The following are signs that professionals at Five Valley’s Restoration have seen that can you can watch out for in order to find whether or not your floor has experienced any kind of water damage.
When water sits on or underneath flooring for too long, the color will begin changing. As absorbed water begins to dry down and evaporate, the original color can be leached from wood, carpet, linoleum, etc. What is left behind is a washed-out patch, usually minerals and salt left behind from the water evaporating. Water damage stains can also look like dark stains, depending on the type of flooring.
Water can cause the flooring to change in a variety of ways. One well-known sign is the floor changing in different textures and shapes. These include buckling, crowing, cupping, and warping. Buckling happens because the subflooring disconnects from the flooring altogether, causing it to peel upward. Crowning occurs when the floor begins to shrink due to water loss while cupping occurs from the floor absorbing too much water. Crowning is known to leave the planks rounded, and cupping tends to put a depression in the middle of the plank. Warping is also another sign that the floor has absorbed too much water.
Mold and mildew thrive in damp wood. Water damage that happened a while back or was left unattended causes mold and mildew to grow on your floors. It can appear in numerous forms, from black splotches to white furry patches on the surface of your floorboards. They typically release a musty aroma and make a room feel thick and damp. Too much mold can lead to numerous potential health issues due to the mold releasing toxins, creating unhealthy air quality within your home. It also causes rot, further damaging your floors to the point of no return.
If you notice any of these occurrences in your flooring or anything else out of the ordinary, it’s safe to assume that water damage is lingering in your home. Trying to get rid of it yourself can be a very taxing task, as water damage restoration is a tedious process. However, professionals at Five Valley’s Restoration are trained to successfully remove any water damage and restore your home to its original state. Water damage restoration doesn’t have to be a daunting problem that you have to solve on your own, call professionals today to assist you.
If this is an emergency, please call 406-542-2113 for immediate service.
