FAQ: Can You Dry and Save Wood Floors After an Appliance Leak?

When a leak happens—from a dishwasher, fridge, or washing machine—it’s natural to hope your beautiful hardwood floors can be saved. At Total Home Water Restoration, we get this question all the time:

“Can you dry and save wood floors after a leak?”

Sometimes, yes—if we get there quickly.

Here’s the honest breakdown:

What Happens to Wood Floors During a Leak?

Water seeps between the boards and down into the subfloor fast. Even a small puddle can cause:

• Cupping: Edges of the boards rise.

• Warping: The entire board bows or twists.

• Separation: Gaps form between boards.

• Mold growth: Moisture trapped underneath can trigger mold in as little as 24-48 hours.

How We Try to Save Wood Floors

If you call us fast—ideally within 24 hours—we bring in equipment made specifically for drying wood:

• Floor drying mats that pull moisture from deep inside the wood

• Commercial-grade dehumidifiers to control the environment

• Moisture meters to track the drying progress (we don’t guess—we test)

We’ll open up baseboards if needed and create airflow underneath the boards to help them dry evenly.

When Floors Can’t Be Saved

Unfortunately, if the boards are badly:

• Warped or twisted

• Moldy underneath

• Buckling off the subfloor

…it’s usually smarter and safer to remove and replace them. In these cases, we’ll help you work with your insurance and figure out exactly what’s restorable and what’s not.

Honest Assessment. No Guesswork.

We don’t walk in and start tearing out your floors. We use professional tools to check moisture levels through every layer: the flooring, subfloor, and even framing if needed. This helps us give you clear, documented recommendations.

Our motto is: We don’t guess. We test.

FAQs

How soon should I call if I have a leak?

Immediately. The faster we get there, the better the chance we can save your floors. Waiting even a day or two makes things much harder.

Is this covered by insurance?

In most cases, yes—especially if the damage came from a sudden appliance failure. We’ll help document everything for your claim.

What if there’s mold under the floor?

We’re licensed for mold remediation too. If we find signs of mold, we’ll walk you through your options and get it handled safely and by the book—based on IICRC S520 standards.

Need Help Now?

If you’ve had a leak and you’re worried about your wood floors, don’t wait and wonder.

📍 Total Home Water Restoration
4141 Hoover Rd, Grove City, OH 43123
📞 Call Tyler Zimmerman at 380-246-1837
Serving Columbus, Grove City, Hilliard, Dublin, Westerville, and beyond.