At Floor Craft Sanding, we often field questions from concerned customers who are worried about having damaged their hardwood flooring. Today, in our Ask the Expert blog, we’ll answer a common question regarding water leaks and damage.
“My dishwasher leaked! How do I prevent damage to my wood floors?”
- Turn off the dishwasher and shut off the water valve if it is still leaking. The valve leading to the dishwasher may be located under the sink or in the basement. If you can’t find it quickly, you can turn off the valve at the hot water tank until you have a plumber or repair person come in.
- Immediately dry your floors with a mop or towels so they are completely dry. You want to prevent water from seeping under the floor since the underside of the boards is unfinished and will absorb water. Wet or damp wood can lead to cupping and other problems.
- Place a fan or a small dehumidifier in the area to reduce the humidity and help dry it out.
- Call in hardwood flooring professionals like Floor Craft Sanding if water has seeped into the floor or if you notice damage such as discoloration, lifting, cupping, or bowing. An expert can evaluate whether further action is required. That may include drying out with heavy-duty equipment, wood floor repairs, removing and replacing damaged boards, or sanding and refinishing the floors. Rarely would you need to replace your entire floor because of a dishwasher leak, but other major plumbing leaks may require new hardwood floor installation.
- Don’t forget to call your insurance provider. In many cases, home insurance will help cover the cost of repairing or refinishing hardwood floors.
If the wood floors in your Carmel or Indianapolis area home have suffered from water damage of any sort, contact the seasoned professionals at Floor Craft to book a consultation. Our team of experts will repair, refinish, or install hardwood floors so that there are no signs of the previous damage to your flooring. Call us at (317) 759-2575 to learn more about our services.