Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
When a pipe bursts or floodwater seeps into your home, one of the first things to take a hit is your flooring. And if you’ve got hardwood, it can feel like a gut punch. But here’s the truth: not all water-damaged hardwood floors are a total loss. Some can be saved—but only if you act fast and do it right.
I’m Tyler Zimmerman, owner of Total Home Water Restoration. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Grove City, Columbus, and surrounding towns recover after water disasters. Here’s what you need to know.
What Happens When Hardwood Gets Wet?
Hardwood is porous. That means it soaks up water like a sponge. When moisture gets in, it can cause:
Cupping: Edges of the boards rise higher than the center
Crowning: Centers of the boards rise higher than the edges
Buckling: Boards pull up from the subfloor
Discoloration or mold growth: Especially if water sat for more than 24–48 hours
Each of these issues tells us something about how long the water was there and how deep it went. It also helps us determine if your floors are salvageable.
When Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
You can usually save your hardwood if:
The water was cleaned up within 24–36 hours
There’s minimal to no buckling
The subfloor isn’t saturated or rotting
There’s no active mold growing
We use moisture meters to read deep inside the wood and subfloor. If we catch it early enough, we use drying mats, air movers, and dehumidifiers to pull out moisture before it does lasting damage.
When Replacement is the Only Option
Sometimes, even the best drying won’t cut it. You’ll likely need to replace the flooring if:
The boards are severely warped or split
Mold is growing underneath
The floor has separated from the subfloor
The subfloor itself is soft, crumbling, or smells musty
Code-wise, if mold is present under wood flooring, the IICRC S520 guidelines require removal of contaminated materials that can’t be effectively cleaned. In other words, if the mold’s underneath, it’s got to go.
How We Save Hardwood Floors in Grove City Homes
Here’s our process at Total Home Water Restoration:
Assess the damage – We inspect with infrared and moisture meters.
Extract standing water – Fast action prevents deeper damage.
Set up drying systems – Drying mats and dehumidifiers go to work.
Monitor daily – We track moisture levels to ensure it's drying properly.
Repair or refinish – Once dry, we sand or replace boards as needed.
We follow the IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration to make sure everything is done to industry standards.
What You Should Do Right Away
If your hardwood floors just got wet, here’s what you need to do:
Shut off the water source immediately.
Don’t use heaters—it can warp the wood.
Remove rugs and furniture off the floor.
Call a certified restoration company (like us) within 24 hours.
Don’t rip out the floor unless a pro has inspected it.
FAQs
Can engineered hardwood be saved after water damage?
Maybe. Some engineered floors with thicker top layers can be dried and refinished. But if water got into the core layer, it usually means replacement.
How long does it take to dry hardwood floors?
Anywhere from 5 to 21 days depending on how wet they are, the subfloor type, and your home's humidity levels.
Does homeowners insurance cover this?
Most of the time, yes—if it’s sudden and accidental (like a burst pipe). Not if it’s long-term neglect. We’ll work directly with your insurer.
Final Word from Tyler
If your hardwood floors got hit with water, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of saving them. At Total Home Water Restoration, we treat every job like it’s our own home. That means honest answers, clear communication, and no cutting corners.
Got wet floors in Grove City, Hilliard, Columbus, or nearby? Give me a call. We’ll check them out and let you know your real options—no fluff.
📍 Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 SEO Title:
Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved? Here's What You Need to Know
Meta Description:
If your hardwood floors got soaked, don’t panic. Learn when they can be saved, how to tell if they're beyond repair, and what to do next from a Grove City water damage expert.
Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
When a pipe bursts or floodwater seeps into your home, one of the first things to take a hit is your flooring. And if you’ve got hardwood, it can feel like a gut punch. But here’s the truth: not all water-damaged hardwood floors are a total loss. Some can be saved—but only if you act fast and do it right.
I’m Tyler Zimmerman, owner of Total Home Water Restoration. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Grove City, Columbus, and surrounding towns recover after water disasters. Here’s what you need to know.
What Happens When Hardwood Gets Wet?
Hardwood is porous. That means it soaks up water like a sponge. When moisture gets in, it can cause:
Cupping: Edges of the boards rise higher than the center
Crowning: Centers of the boards rise higher than the edges
Buckling: Boards pull up from the subfloor
Discoloration or mold growth: Especially if water sat for more than 24–48 hours
Each of these issues tells us something about how long the water was there and how deep it went. It also helps us determine if your floors are salvageable.
When Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
You can usually save your hardwood if:
The water was cleaned up within 24–36 hours
There’s minimal to no buckling
The subfloor isn’t saturated or rotting
There’s no active mold growing
We use moisture meters to read deep inside the wood and subfloor. If we catch it early enough, we use drying mats, air movers, and dehumidifiers to pull out moisture before it does lasting damage.
When Replacement is the Only Option
Sometimes, even the best drying won’t cut it. You’ll likely need to replace the flooring if:
The boards are severely warped or split
Mold is growing underneath
The floor has separated from the subfloor
The subfloor itself is soft, crumbling, or smells musty
Code-wise, if mold is present under wood flooring, the IICRC S520 guidelines require removal of contaminated materials that can’t be effectively cleaned. In other words, if the mold’s underneath, it’s got to go.
How We Save Hardwood Floors in Grove City Homes
Here’s our process at Total Home Water Restoration:
Assess the damage – We inspect with infrared and moisture meters.
Extract standing water – Fast action prevents deeper damage.
Set up drying systems – Drying mats and dehumidifiers go to work.
Monitor daily – We track moisture levels to ensure it's drying properly.
Repair or refinish – Once dry, we sand or replace boards as needed.
We follow the IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration to make sure everything is done to industry standards.
What You Should Do Right Away
If your hardwood floors just got wet, here’s what you need to do:
Shut off the water source immediately.
Don’t use heaters—it can warp the wood.
Remove rugs and furniture off the floor.
Call a certified restoration company (like us) within 24 hours.
Don’t rip out the floor unless a pro has inspected it.
FAQs
Can engineered hardwood be saved after water damage?
Maybe. Some engineered floors with thicker top layers can be dried and refinished. But if water got into the core layer, it usually means replacement.
How long does it take to dry hardwood floors?
Anywhere from 5 to 21 days depending on how wet they are, the subfloor type, and your home's humidity levels.
Does homeowners insurance cover this?
Most of the time, yes—if it’s sudden and accidental (like a burst pipe). Not if it’s long-term neglect. We’ll work directly with your insurer.
Final Word from Tyler
If your hardwood floors got hit with water, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of saving them. At Total Home Water Restoration, we treat every job like it’s our own home. That means honest answers, clear communication, and no cutting corners.
Got wet floors in Grove City, Hilliard, Columbus, or nearby? Give me a call. We’ll check them out and let you know your real options—no fluff.
📍 Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 SEO Title:
Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved? Here's What You Need to Know
Meta Description:
If your hardwood floors got soaked, don’t panic. Learn when they can be saved, how to tell if they're beyond repair, and what to do next from a Grove City water damage expert.
Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
When a pipe bursts or floodwater seeps into your home, one of the first things to take a hit is your flooring. And if you’ve got hardwood, it can feel like a gut punch. But here’s the truth: not all water-damaged hardwood floors are a total loss. Some can be saved—but only if you act fast and do it right.
I’m Tyler Zimmerman, owner of Total Home Water Restoration. We’ve helped hundreds of homeowners in Grove City, Columbus, and surrounding towns recover after water disasters. Here’s what you need to know.
What Happens When Hardwood Gets Wet?
Hardwood is porous. That means it soaks up water like a sponge. When moisture gets in, it can cause:
Cupping: Edges of the boards rise higher than the center
Crowning: Centers of the boards rise higher than the edges
Buckling: Boards pull up from the subfloor
Discoloration or mold growth: Especially if water sat for more than 24–48 hours
Each of these issues tells us something about how long the water was there and how deep it went. It also helps us determine if your floors are salvageable.
When Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?
You can usually save your hardwood if:
The water was cleaned up within 24–36 hours
There’s minimal to no buckling
The subfloor isn’t saturated or rotting
There’s no active mold growing
We use moisture meters to read deep inside the wood and subfloor. If we catch it early enough, we use drying mats, air movers, and dehumidifiers to pull out moisture before it does lasting damage.
When Replacement is the Only Option
Sometimes, even the best drying won’t cut it. You’ll likely need to replace the flooring if:
The boards are severely warped or split
Mold is growing underneath
The floor has separated from the subfloor
The subfloor itself is soft, crumbling, or smells musty
Code-wise, if mold is present under wood flooring, the IICRC S520 guidelines require removal of contaminated materials that can’t be effectively cleaned. In other words, if the mold’s underneath, it’s got to go.
How We Save Hardwood Floors in Grove City Homes
Here’s our process at Total Home Water Restoration:
Assess the damage – We inspect with infrared and moisture meters.
Extract standing water – Fast action prevents deeper damage.
Set up drying systems – Drying mats and dehumidifiers go to work.
Monitor daily – We track moisture levels to ensure it's drying properly.
Repair or refinish – Once dry, we sand or replace boards as needed.
We follow the IICRC S500 Standard for Professional Water Damage Restoration to make sure everything is done to industry standards.
What You Should Do Right Away
If your hardwood floors just got wet, here’s what you need to do:
Shut off the water source immediately.
Don’t use heaters—it can warp the wood.
Remove rugs and furniture off the floor.
Call a certified restoration company (like us) within 24 hours.
Don’t rip out the floor unless a pro has inspected it.
FAQs
Can engineered hardwood be saved after water damage?
Maybe. Some engineered floors with thicker top layers can be dried and refinished. But if water got into the core layer, it usually means replacement.
How long does it take to dry hardwood floors?
Anywhere from 5 to 21 days depending on how wet they are, the subfloor type, and your home's humidity levels.
Does homeowners insurance cover this?
Most of the time, yes—if it’s sudden and accidental (like a burst pipe). Not if it’s long-term neglect. We’ll work directly with your insurer.
Final Word from Tyler
If your hardwood floors got hit with water, don’t wait. The sooner you act, the better your chances of saving them. At Total Home Water Restoration, we treat every job like it’s our own home. That means honest answers, clear communication, and no cutting corners.
Got wet floors in Grove City, Hilliard, Columbus, or nearby? Give me a call. We’ll check them out and let you know your real options—no fluff.
📍 Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 380-246-1837
