Picking out flooring for your new home is a difficult, and costly, process. Some statistics show that hardwood floors can cost anywhere from $8,500 to over $11,000 per room. Flooring is one of the most important aspects of a new home, so it is never a good sign when there’s evidence of water damage. The following are five flooring materials that may require restoration after water damage:
Wood
Wood is one of the most difficult flooring materials to repair, and oftentimes the best thing you can do is completely replace and refinish the affected boards. Cupping, staining, bulging, bubbling, or buckled wood are all evidence of damaged wood and floorboards. It is incredibly difficult to replace planks in a wood floor on your own, and it can easily be done improperly. It is always better to rely on the expertise and skill of a professional.
Carpet
Carpet is clearly the front-runner for most easily damaged from water on this list. Carpet is a textile floor covering most often used indoors in a home. Wool, nylon, or polyester are the most common fibers utilized in the modern day. Carpet is used for insulation, comfort, and decoration. However, beauty and comfort often come at a cost. Carpets can hold on to small bits of debris, dirt, and bacteria. Even small amounts of water or liquid can damage the underlying of a carpet, and it can breed mold and bacteria for quite some time before you even notice.
Tile
While it may seem impervious to water damage, tile also can be negatively affected by flooding. The porous nature of the grout used to hold the flooring together can cause the tiles to come loose, and detach the adhesive used underneath. Ceramic tiles are also more porous than other tile material, and if exposed to large amounts of water for an extended period of time, can lose structural integrity and crack or break. Unfortunately, because tile has such a sturdy exterior, the damage may go unnoticed for weeks or even months.
Linoleum
While considered waterproof to surface water, linoleum is still susceptible to water damage, particularly a heavy flood. Linoleum is considered a vapor barrier, so if water gets underneath, it will not allow for any evaporation, and the water will become standing water. And if your linoleum has a cork underlayment, the cork will begin to absorb some of the water, causing your linoleum to warp and potentially crack. Additionally, if your linoleum is placed onto any surface, known as the “subfloor”, other than concrete, the likelihood of floor rot increases.
Natural Stone
This one might come as a surprise, but yes, even natural stone can be affected by water damage. Nearly all natural stones are porous to a degree, with sandstone being the most porous, and therefore, the most susceptible to water damage. Natural stones are often used in decorating both interior and exterior surfaces of homes. Exterior surfaces are susceptible to exceedingly more wear and tear day to day. Rain, wind, and storms can cause degradation and water penetration directly into the surface, as well as from the sides and underneath, known as the substrate.
If your house consists of any of these materials, be sure to familiarize yourself with your local water damage restoration business, to ensure your flooring and house are cared for and re-leveled by professionals.
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