10 Signs of Wood Floor Water Damage

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably take great pride in your floors. After all, they take a lot of abuse over the years, and it’s nice to have a beautiful surface to walk on every day. So if you start noticing wood floor water damage, it can be pretty alarming.

Fortunately, there are some telltale signs that water damage is present, and if you know what to look for, you can catch it early and take steps to mitigate the damage. Here are 10 signs to watch out for:

1. Buckling or cupping: If your wood floors start to buckle or cup, it’s a sure sign that they’re absorbing too much moisture. This can be caused by a number of things, including leaks, high humidity, or even just too much traffic in a particular area.
2. Gaps: If you start to see gaps forming between your floorboards, it’s another sign that moisture is seeping in and causing the wood to swell.
3. Warping: If your floors are starting to warp, it’s a definite sign of water damage. Warping can be caused by the same things that cause buckling and cupping, and it can often lead to serious structural problems if left unchecked.
4. Discoloration: Water damage will often cause wood floors to change color, usually appearing darker or more discolored than the surrounding area.
5. Mold or mildew: If you start to see mold or mildew on your wood floors, it’s a sign that there’s been excessive moisture present for an extended period of time. Not only is this unsightly, but it can also be dangerous to your health if inhaled.
6. Musty smell: If your wood floors have a musty smell, it’s another sign that moisture is present and there could be mold or mildew growing.
7. Soft spots: If you start to feel soft spots on your wood floors, it means the wood is starting to rot and break down. This is often caused by prolonged exposure to water.
8. Cracks: If you see cracks forming in your wood floors, it’s a sign that the wood is drying out and shrinking. This can be caused by a number of things, including leaks, high humidity, or even just too much traffic in a particular area.
9. Splitting: If your wood floors start to split, it’s a sign that they’re drying out and the wood is becoming brittle. This can be caused by the same things that cause cracks, and it can often lead to serious structural problems if left unchecked.
10. Hollow sounding: If you tap on your wood floors and they sound hollow, it means the wood is starting to rot from the inside out. This is usually caused by prolonged exposure to water.

If you notice any of these signs, it’s important to take action immediately. The longer you wait, the worse the damage will become, and you could be looking at a costly repair bill. So if you think you may have water damage in your wood floors, don’t hesitate to call a professional restoration company for an assessment. They’ll be able to tell you for sure and help you get the problem fixed before it becomes a bigger issue.

Water damage is one of the worst things that can happen to your wood floors, but if you know what to look for, you can catch it early and take steps to mitigate the damage. Keep an eye out for these 10 signs, and if you notice any of them, call a professional right away.