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Going through the dreadful experience of having your home flooded is one of the worst things that can happen to the foundation of your house. Of course, the bit that gets damaged the most is your floors. It'll take quite a bit of time, energy, and money to fully restore them. However, it's definitely not impossible. Luckily, there are some valuable pieces of advice that you can take to be on your A-game during floor restoration after a flood.

What you need to know to approach floor restoration after a flood

There are some basic things you should know to ensure the success of this project. You'll see just how much investing in high-quality floors can be beneficial.

Wood type

The type of wood that your floors are made of will play a significant role in how you'll approach this project. Every type has a different level of moisture resistance. If your floors are made of a material that absorbs liquids very quickly, you'll have a lot more work on your hands.

Installation method

In most cases, wood floors are held together by nails. However, not all of them are the same. Some rust a lot quicker than others. If these nails aren't very resistant, the moisture could loosen them up, and there could be additional damage.

Finished or unfinished

If your floors have been flooded, it's imperative to know how they've been finished. If you've got a polyurethane or wax finish, you'll need to do some extra work. Removing the outer layer is essential before getting to the next par of floor restoration after a flood.

Which type of subfloor do you have?

Of course, as you know, knowing the type of subfloor that you own is just as important as knowing what's on top of them, if not more. Neglecting the water damage caused to the subfloor and not taking care of it can be really bad. 

Plywood subfloors

If you're dealing with damage caused to plywood subfloors and they've started to separate and bulk up, you'll need to get new ones.

Of course, before you see the level of harm, make sure to dry this layer as well. Only then will you be able to assess correctly. Although the drying would occur naturally after a while, you can use machines to hasten it up. Check whether there's been additional damage to your subfloors from taking out the floors above them or something not directly flood-related.

Concrete subfloors

If you're lucky enough to have concrete subfloors, you won't have to worry as much. However, make sure to dry them thoroughly before continuing with the restoration process to refresh flooring and prevent mold or rot in the future. Moisture is one of the worst enemies when it comes to flooring.

Look at the bright side

There's light at the end of every tunnel, and that includes this situation as well. Even though this process is bound to cost you money, time, and energy, you'll also get new flooring out of it. What's more, this is a great time to consider renovating a part of your home that you've put off for a while. If you don't want to do anything extreme, you can do a deep clean and perhaps get your carpets professionally cleaned while your floors are being repaired.

Cleaning your carpeted floors after a flood

If you've got carpets, that's a whole other beast you need to tackle. Apart from the floor restoration after a flood, you'll also need to clean and maybe even fully replace the carpeted part. Luckily, this can be done in a few steps.

Clear the area

After a flood, getting all of your furniture out of the room is completely necessary. This is the only way to thoroughly assess and fix the issue at hand. It might be a good idea to place all of your furniture in storage for the time being. Of course, to avoid problems in your unit, make sure to dry everything first.

Dry the floor

To eliminate the excess water from your home, you'll need to dry them. You can get the tools and DIY the process or hire someone to help you out. If you, at any point, start doubting that you're doing the job thoroughly enough, make sure to contact someone experienced.

Clean the carpets

The fact that your carpets have been flooded doesn't mean that they've been washed. The water that has been in your home wasn't necessarily clean. Don't make the mistake of letting all sorts of germs and bacteria into your home - clean your floors and carpets properly.

Types of floods

It's also important to know which type of flood you've experienced to understand how to treat your home.

Clean water

If you had a broken pipe or a minor accident in your building or house, the damage was probably done only by clean water. This means that you can fix the damage and clean your carpets and everything will be as good as new.

Greywater

If you've got greywater on your carpets, the damage is probably a bit worse. This water could've made its way to your floors from the bathroom or the dishwasher. The damage done by this type of flood could be harmful to your and your family's health. Make sure to replace your carpets since cleaning won't be sufficient.

Blackwater

The worst kind of water you can have in your home after a flood is blackwater. It usually comes from really harmful chemicals, and it's pretty damaging to your health. Replacing both your carpets and flooring is the best option in this case. In fact, it might be the only one.

Floor maintenance is essential

Even though floor restoration after a flood is something no one wishes to deal with, it feels pretty good once it's in the past. Nevertheless, you must remember that maintaining your floors afterward is a must. Clean and dry them in accordance with the recommended maintenance guides.


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