Water Under Hardwood Floor Mold

To dry beneath wood floors which have been flooded first you should remove any wet floor coverings such as rugs or carpet.

Water under hardwood floor mold.

Homeowners may have a tendency to think that the floor is warping due to faulty installation or that even the wood itself is somehow at fault. Unfortunately for your hardwood floors that means they are vulnerable to damage and mold growth underneath them when there has been water or flood damage. 3 check under the hardwood floorboards. Use fans to circulate the air in your home and have patience as your floors dry.

Scrub the entire floor and all related woodwork baseboards stairs and newel posts etc with a stiff brush rinsing the brush frequently in the bucket. Mold grows on organic materials in environments with high humidity or trapped moisture. Mold begins to grow after 48 hours of water damage occurring. Next dry the floors completely by pumping out standing water then mop and towel the surface dry.

Visible water damage is a big sign that you may have a mold issue especially if the floor has a spongy strength to it when you walk over it. Chances are that the water damage happened a while ago if the floor itself has started to warp. Scrub the floor mix a mild detergent and a compatible disinfectant such as mr. How much water is too much water damage doesn t have to be severe for mold to grow.

A water damaged wood floor can remain above 18 mc for over a month. Clean with clean water in a bucket. If this has occurred it will also need to be replaced before installing new dry hardwood floor. As a hygroscopic material wood will typically absorb or let off moisture until it reaches an equilibrium with its environment.

If floors have cupped popped or cracked it may be an indication that the sub floor has experienced water damage as well. Water stains are an indication that water may have set on your wood for far too long. Additionally excess moisture can promote the growth of mold and bacteria weakening the wood and creating health hazards when they multiply. Another issue of growing concern is the development of mold or mildew beneath the flooring.

After severe water damage it is likely that wood floors will have to be replaced. Leaving wet floors naturally air dry is not worth the potential risk. Wood is specifically susceptible to mold growth so it is important that you ensure that the floor and the sub floor are completely dry. Hardwood flooring systems are incredibly sensitive to moisture.