Should I Repair or Replace Water Damaged Floors?

Are your floors not looking like they used to? If you notice water spots, warping, or breakage, you could have a water-damaged floor. But how do you know if you should repair or replace your flooring? Learn about the signs of water damage on hardwood floors, how to fix the damage, and how to keep problems from happening again.

Recognizing Water Damage on Your Floors

Water-damaged floors can happen for many reasons, such as not cleaning up a mess immediately, leaky pipes, or foundation issues. Taking care of the problem when you notice it can prevent further damage.

Signs of Water Damage in Hardwood Floors 

• Cupping: When the edges of the wood planks rise, making a curved shape, this is called cupping. Too much moisture underneath causes the planks to rise.
• Warping: When hardwood floors become uneven or bow, this is called warping. Too much moisture, uneven humidity, or bad installation can cause warping. 
• Staining: Staining occurs when water seeps into the wood and causes discoloration. This could happen because of a leak, a spill, or a flood. These marks can get worse over time.

Signs of Damage in Other Flooring Types 

• Vinyl: Water damage to vinyl flooring can cause peeling, bubbling, yellowing, and even the growth of mildew or mold. 
• Carpet: Water damage often appears as visible stains, musty smells, mold or mildew growth, and a stiff or crunchy structure. Buckling or wrinkled carpets may also be a sign.

Repair or Replace? Deciding the Right Approach

Once you’ve noticed the signs of water damage, you will need to decide whether to fix or replace your water-damaged floor. Your option will depend on how bad the damage is, the type of flooring, and your budget.

Factors to Consider

Extent of the Damage 

If the damage is limited to a small area, like a single tile or plank, it may be possible to fix it. But if the damage is larger and affects more than one area or the whole floor, replacing it might be better and cheaper.

For example, if some hardwood planks have warped because of a small leak, they can usually be replaced one at a time. However, if the whole floor has suffered water damage that causes broad warping, cupping, and staining, it may need to be replaced.

Source of Water 

The origin of the water is a big part of figuring out what needs to be fixed or replaced. Fixing the damage caused by clean water, such as a pipe leak or a small spill, might not be too hard. Often, just drying out the area and replacing anything damaged is enough.

However, things get trickier if the water damage is caused by dirty water, like flood water or sewage. Contaminated water can carry bad germs, mold, and other contaminants into your home. This usually means removing and replacing the flooring and hiring professionals to clean things up.

Clean water damage usually only needs minor flooring repairs, while contaminated water damage needs a more thorough cleanup and floor restoration process that could cost more.

When to Choose Repair vs Replacement

Small Damage

• Localized damage: There is only a small amount of damage, like a small square of carpet or a few floorboards.
• Minor surface damage: The damage is mostly on the surface, like a single bump or water spots.
• Possible solutions: Replacing individual tiles or planks, sanding and repainting damaged areas, or fixing broken sections.

Moderate Damage

• Widespread damage: The damage covers a larger area of the floor.
• Significant structural damage: The floorboards or tiles have warped, cupped, or buckled.
• Possible solutions: Repairing out sections of the floor, complete floor restoration, or replacing the whole thing if the damage is bad enough.

Severe Damage

• Extensive damage: The entire floor is water-damaged.
• Severe structural damage: The floor has major structural problems, like rotting or extreme warping.
• Possible solutions: Complete floor replacement.

Is Refinishing An Option After Wood Water Damage?

Depending on the extent of the damage, refinishing may be possible. If the wood water damage isn’t too bad, like a few light spots or some warping, refinishing can help restore the wood’s look. Refinishing doesn’t work if the floor has major damage, such as deep gouges, rot, or severe warping. The broken parts or the whole floor should be replaced in this case.

Repairing Water Damaged Floors

Once you’ve assessed the damage and chosen what to do, you can begin the floor repair. Whether making small fixes or replacing the whole floor, it’s important to follow the right steps to ensure a good result. Let’s look at how to fix hardwood floor damage and other types of flooring.

Replacing Water Damaged Floors  

When you need to replace your water-damaged floor, consider these options for different flooring types:

Hardwood Floors:

• Solid Hardwood: Replace individual planks or the entire floor, depending on the extent of the damage.
• Engineered Hardwood: Replace damaged planks or the entire floor.

Vinyl Flooring:

• Sheet Vinyl: Replace the entire floor, as replacing individual sections without noticeable seams is difficult.
• Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): Depending on the extent of the damage, replace individual tiles or the entire floor.

Laminate Flooring:

• Replace damaged planks or the entire floor.

Carpet:

• Replace the affected carpet and padding.

Costs of Water Damage Repair or Replacement 

Water-damaged floor repair costs can vary based on several factors. The total cost depends on the extent of the damage, the type of flooring, the cost of work, and any other costs, such as getting rid of mold or fixing the structure.

Hardwood Flooring

• Repair: $3-$10 per square foot
• Replacement: $6-$15 per square foot

Laminate Flooring

• Repair: $4-$11 per square foot
• Replacement: $6-$15 per square foot

Vinyl Flooring

• Repair: $1-$3 per square foot
• Replacement: $1-$3 per square foot

Carpet

• Repair: Not usually possible for major water damage
• Replacement: $2-$10 per square foot

Preventing Future Water Damage

To protect your floors from water damage, consider these preventative measures:

• Regular Inspections: Check your pipes, appliances, and roof regularly to find and fix problems before they become serious.
• Promptly Address Leaks: Fix anything with a leak or drip to stop water damage from spreading.
• Ventilation: Ensure enough airflow in places where wetness can build up, such as bathrooms and kitchens.
• Water Alarms: Put water alarms in places that can get water damage, like basements and nearby appliances.
• Water-Resistant Flooring: Choose water-resistant flooring materials, such as tile or vinyl, in places exposed to water.

Emergency Steps to Take Immediately After Water Damage

After discovering water damage, make sure the source of water is stopped. This could involve turning off the main water supply, disconnecting a faulty appliance, or addressing a roof leak. By quickly stopping the water flow, you can prevent further damage to your home.

If it’s a more serious issue, like sewage backing up or flooding, you may need to call emergency services, and you should evacuate your home. Once your home is deemed safe, you can call a professional flooring company to assess the damage and determine whether repairs or replacements are necessary.