If your home has experienced flooding from natural disasters, malfunctioning appliances, or broken pipes, your floor often bears the brunt of the damage. With minor water damage, you may be able to salvage your floor and repair damaged areas, but in severe cases the floor will need to be replaced. Here are some helpful tips for when and how to replace your floor after flooding.
Checking for Damage
Regardless of your flooring type, you’ll want to check for damage like buckling, which happens when the flooring detaches from the subfloor underneath. Planks that round either up or down are a sign of damage as well as cracking or warping. The discoloration is often a sign of mold, which is a likely issue if the floor wasn’t dried out in 24-48 hours after the flood. Tile usually handles floods well, but it’s still important to pull up a few tiles to make sure the subfloor is dry.
Subfloor Issues
Subfloor issues are a major reason entire floors must be replaced after a flood. The top layer of flooring may seem to be in good condition, especially with vinyl or tile floors, but if water has penetrated the subfloor you’ll have major issues in the future. Signs of a damaged subfloor include swelling, lifting, and soft or squishy areas. You’ll also begin to notice odors present with mold growth.
Choosing Replacement Flooring
If your floor is too severely damaged to be repaired, it’s time to choose new flooring. Hardwood is a popular option, but it does have a higher risk of water damage, so if you’re looking for something more water resistant you should consider luxury vinyl tile (LVT) or tile. LVT looks like hardwood but has a PVC core that resists water. It’s an affordable choice and easy to install. Tile is a great choice for durability and water resistance. You can choose from ceramic, porcelain, or natural stone.
At Flooring Pros we’ll help you with the entire floor replacement process, including floor removal, choosing the next flooring type, and installing it for you. Contact us today!