Hardwood Floor Drying

1/20/2020 (Permalink)

Quick action and the proper equipment can salvage your hardwood floors after a water loss

SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield knows how your Massachusetts hardwood flooring can be damaged in a flood.  Let us explain why your hardwood floor needs drying after a flood damage.

After flooding that leaves stormwater coming to rest on the floors of your Lynn, Lynnfield or Nahant home, you only have a finite amount of time before saturation and deterioration begin. Hardwood is particularly sensitive to moisture absorption, and it does not take long for surface moisture to get pulled into the planks. Effective extraction and drying of this material requires multiple specialty drying tools and techniques employed by our experienced water restoration technicians within this limited window.

There are multiple scenarios in which the bulk of water removal from flood damage can happen with towels and a mop. This direct absorption from these tools can reduce the surface moisture, but rarely removes it entirely. Apart from this traditional approach, our SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield team can utilize specialty extraction attachments and wet-vacuums or only use the wet-vac directly on the damaged areas for immediate removal. These potential water removal solutions do not eliminate all of the surface moisture, however.

Not only does some lingering  surface moisture exist, but for exposure that has lasted longer than a day, free moisture absorbed into the wood planks is another factor to consider. Drying these areas can be a challenge with conventional air movers and dehumidification options we might use elsewhere in the house. Instead, our SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield team can install drying mats connected to portable extractors. Depending on the severity of the situation, multiple mats can get used simultaneously.

Tenting with lay-flat poly sheeting can regulate the moisture removal process over these specific damaged areas. When it is probable that hardwood can get protected and stay installed, our professionals must regulate moisture removal to ensure that the planks do not become overly dried. Continual monitoring and documentation of the drying process can ensure that the mats get pulled up when the optimal moisture content levels have been reached.

Extraction and drying of hardwood flooring within the first 48 hours can often save these flooring options from demolition and reconstruction. Our SERVPRO of Lynn/Lynnfield team can utilize our state-of-the-art equipment to return your property to preloss condition quickly. Give us a call today at 781.593.6663