Hardwood floors are a major investment in your O'Fallon home. When they get wet—whether from a dishwasher leak, a spill, or a flood—time is of the essence. Wood is hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs water like a sponge.
Understanding the Damage
- Cupping: The edges of the boards rise higher than the center. This happens when the bottom of the wood is wetter than the top.
- Crowning: The center of the board is higher than the edges. This often happens if floors are sanded before they are fully dry.
- Buckling: The wood expands so much that it pulls away from the subfloor, lifting up literally inches.
Can They Be Saved?
Yes, but you have to act FAST. If caught within the first 24 hours, even heavily soaked floors can often be restored without replacement.
Our "Maximize the Mat" System
We use specialized Injectidry floor mats. These mats are taped over the wet areas and hooked up to a high-pressure vacuum system. This vacuum pulls the moisture out from deep within the wood grain and the subfloor below, while dehumidifiers capture that moisture from the air.
This process can take 3-5 days, but it is far cheaper and less disruptive than tearing out and replacing your entire floor.
Don't wait for them to buckle. Call Flood Cleanup Pros at (380) 247-0055 immediately.