Things to Consider When Replacing Flooring After a Disaster

One of the most affected areas of your home after a flood in Palm Coast, FL, is the floor. The extent of the damage depends on the floor material and type of water damage. Here are some factors to consider before replacing flooring.

Floor Damage Caused By Floods

Floods occurring in your home, either from a natural disaster or from leaky pipes, can cause significant damage to the property, including floors. Wooden floors may experience buckling, bulging or cupping while carpeted floors may experience discoloration.

After water floods your home, you should act fast to ensure that excess water doesn’t find its way to the initial floor layer. Therefore, you should try as much as possible to absorb excess water, and a dehumidifier can help with the drying process.

Types of Water Damage

The type of water damage will help you to determine what you need to do after a flood. Clean water damage comes from either snow, rain or a water holding tank. However, this type of water damage doesn’t cause considerable damage, and it’s fairly easy to clean up.

There’s greywater/sullage damage that occurs from pipe breaks, plumbing problems and natural disasters. Although this water damage doesn’t have fecal contaminants, it contains some pathogens that are dangerous. If you don’t contact the water mitigation department immediately, clean water can quickly become greywater if left to sit for more than 48 hours.

The next category of water damage is black water, which is also the worst form of water damage. This water will contain fecal contaminants and other dangerous pathogens that put your health at risk. Greywater can turn to black water if not removed within 48 hours.

Type of Flooring

When it comes to carpeted floors and rugs, the steps you take depend on how much water they absorb. If the flooding is from clean water, a wet-dry vacuum can be used to remove excess water, salvaging the carpet. However, if the rug and pad absorbs too much water, or if the flooding is from grey or blackwater, it is best to call a restoration company to remove the carpet and dry the floor.

You’ll need to replace your laminate flooring if it encounters too much water. Laminate floors absorb the water and expand, and they don’t return to their original size and shape even after it dries up. You’ll need to talk to an expert who’ll advise you on what to do for wooden floors.

However, it is always best to dry hardwood floors as fast as possible to prevent excess moisture from sipping through to the sub-floors. If you reside in Palm Coast, FL, contact us at ServiceMaster Central FL for any water damage and emergency response services.

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