What happens if water gets under flooring?

In addition to discoloration during the floor installation, water damage can cause the boards to come loose. Over time, deformation and bending are also a problem due to excess moisture. When the water gets under the laminate floor, the water must be removed immediately. If a small amount of water has leaked to the edges of the floor, lift any rocker (shoe trim) or baseboards around the perimeter.

If the water isn't penetrating, you may be able to remove it with a wet and dry vacuum. Depending on the amount of water, sometimes you can easily clean the water if it's a small spill. If there is more water, it will take more effort and time to clean it. If they still have water, remove it immediately.

If there's less than an inch of water, you can use towels or a mop to clean it. If there's more than an inch of water, you'll need to use a vacuum or wet and dry water pump. Then remove the molding and then the floor. You can use high-volume dehumidifiers and fans.

Be sure to keep the boards flat when drying them. If you don't, they can warp or bend. This makes it more difficult and sometimes impossible to reinstall. The real problem occurs when water works its way under the laminate floor.

Laminate floors are installed with expansion spaces to allow them to expand and contract as needed. This is necessary, but it also leaves room for water to seep underneath and cause some real problems. After a major leak or spill, water may enter under the laminate floor. What many homeowners and homeowners don't know is that they must remove that water immediately to preserve the floor.

If water has leaked to the edge of a room, remove the baseboards around the edge to check how bad it is. If the spill isn't as serious, you may be able to remove it in time with a wet and dry vacuum. However, we recommend that you exercise caution and remove and replace as many floorboards as are affected. The tables may only show signs of minor damage for the time being, but water damage gets worse over time, so you save yourself the trouble by cutting them in the bud now.

To help minimize water damage, absorb as much water as possible with a mop or towels and let the fan and dehumidifier run at a high temperature for 24 to 48 hours. That's why finding the leak, stopping and repairing it, and getting the water out from under the laminate as quickly as possible is your best chance of protecting your laminate floor from damage. It is recommended to step on every damaged board to detect any changes or movements that may suggest that there is water underneath. If you want your laminate floor to look good for years to come, you must take care of it by avoiding water damage.

Let the fan and dehumidifier run for a full 24 to 48 hours, depending on the amount of water that has passed underneath the laminate floor, to ensure that the most water is removed. While laminate flooring industry specifications dictate tests for laminate flooring and water when the floor remains submerged underwater for a full day, irreversible damage occurs long before that. It's essential to keep an eye on the humidity in your home and the accumulation of water to prevent soil damage. However, if water is between the subfloor and the laminate floor, it can trap water and cause all the problems we've discussed.

Individual laminate planks that have been damaged will need to be removed to prevent water damage from spreading to more areas. The next step in drying laminate flooring with water underneath is to absorb as much water as possible. If water has reached edge areas or open joints, thoroughly vacuum the water with a dry and wet vacuum. If you've tried all of the steps listed above and still feel like the problem of water damage hasn't been resolved or is getting worse, All Dry USA is here for you.

The longer it takes to get the water out from under the laminate, the more likely it is for damage to occur. The wear layer protects against water damage, but as soon as water passes through this layer, the bottom layer can get wet. Damaged boards often have some level of discoloration and can sometimes bend and warp after being exposed to any amount of water. .