Wouldn’t you like to know how to solve your buckling issue fast? Your hardwood floors are what make your home so beautiful. They are durable and can last for many, many years to come. But if water or moisture has damaged and buckled your floors, you definitely need to take care of it quickly. So, what can you do to fix it?
In this guide to fixing buckled hardwood floors, you’ll learn what buckling is, what are its causes, how to protect your floors against moisture damage, how to assess your wood’s condition, and how to make a claim with your homeowner’s insurance for water damage if damage has set in.
We will also share some tips for properly caring for and maintaining your wood floors to minimize damage and how to replace your wood floors if there has been extensive damage. Learn how to restore them back to their original condition.
Ready to fix your buckling floor problems, quick, fast, and in a hurry? Let’s get right to it!
What Is Buckled Wood?
So, what is buckled wood, and does buckling mean that your floor is permanently damaged?
The word buckle is a verb meaning “to bend or become uneven.” Buckled wood, therefore, is wood that has become uneven or warped. With buckling, some source of water or moisture has reached the wood planks and caused them to expand and contract. Due to this process, they lose their original shape and take on the appearance of a lifted, uneven surface with hills and humps.
Buckled wood is damaged and can be very unsafe and unsightly. But the great news for you (and your home) is that buckled wood does not need to be permanent. There are several steps you can take to fix your buckled wood and to protect your wood floors from further damage.
How To Fix Buckling Wood Quickly
Bad things happen if wood stays wet for too long. And you deserve your wood floors to be repaired, so they can be refinished again and restored to their original state.
First, you may want to call your insurance company to report the damage and file a claim. They can have your crawlspace inspected by a local professional or someone appointed by them to find out what the cause is and determine the necessary method for fixing the damaged wood. The sooner you can get it fixed, the better it will be in all respects.
If you do not tend to the water or moisture issue quickly, additional areas of damage can happen; for instance, if water contacts the wood long enough, mold can grow, which can further deteriorate the wood fibers.
Wood rot is more challenging as it requires complete removal and replacement of the flooring, which is more costly and more labor-intensive. And it should be noted that home insurance plans may not necessarily cover water damage if it is due to long-standing leaks.
What Will My Homeowner’s Insurance Likely Cover for Water Damage to Wood Floors?
To file a homeowner’s insurance claim, be sure that the damage is significant enough to file a claim, or else you might risk a rate increase. Most homeowner’s insurance covers water damage to hardwood flooring. But you will want to check with your insurance to find out its terms and conditions. Consider contacting your insurance company to see if they will reimburse you for getting an estimate from a local contractor or if they will do an appraisal themselves.
An appraisal done by your insurance will reveal if there is water damage, will help you to know how to proceed to repair your floors, and will explain to you in more detail what your insurance will or will not cover. Your insurance will provide you with all the forms you will need to file a claim. If you plan to file a claim, you will want to do so as early as possible to get an appraisal and have your floors restored quickly.
What Causes Wood Floor to Buckle?
The cause of buckling is due to water or moisture being absorbed by the wood floor. The water or moisture issue can be caused by various conditions such as humidity in the air, leaking appliances, moisture from subflooring, a pipe freezing and bursting in winter, lack of acclimation to the new environment, or improper installation.
What Steps Can be Taken To Halt the Problem?
After determining the cause of wood buckling (i.e., humidity in the air, leaking appliances, water in the subflooring, improper installation, lack of acclimation, etc.), you will want to follow one of these next expert tips in order to halt the problem.
Humidity in the Air
In the summertime, heat and humidity levels rise, and the wood flooring begins to absorb more moisture. If your wood’s buckling is due to humidity in the air, you would need to install a dehumidifier in the room to remove the moisture in the air and add ceiling fans in the room to help keep the room cool and dry. Kitchens and bathrooms should have vent fans to remove heat and humidity from the rooms.
Leaking Appliances
If any of your appliances are leaking, you could consider placing a large appliance stand under each of your appliances and adding a waterproof floor mat under them to soak up any water that may leak.
Most leaks from appliances are preventable with proper care and maintenance. Pay particular attention to the most common appliances that are most likely to cause water damage: the washing machine, refrigerator, dishwasher, and hot water heater are the usual suspects.
Here are the top tips for properly caring for your household appliances:
- Washing Machine - Replace washing machine hoses every five years and inspect hoses for cracks, leaks, and rust once a month.
- Refrigerator - Check that the rubber seal located along the edge of the refrigerator door is sealing properly and that the defrost drain hole is not clogged with ice. Regularly thaw ice and flush it with warm water to prevent refrigerator leaks.
- Dishwasher - Replace your dishwasher every ten years to avoid malfunctioning of hoses and valves.
- Hot Water Heater - Make sure your hot water heater is inspected annually to minimize any potential chance of water leakage. Replace your hot water heater every ten years.
Water in the Subflooring
If your crawl space inspection finds excess water in the subflooring, it may need to be vacuumed up with a dry wet vacuum. And then, to protect against moisture from the subflooring in the future, attach a moisture barrier of plastic sheeting to the underside of the foam, rubber, or cork underlayment which exists between the subfloor and the flooring.
Moisture Resistant Foam Underlayment for hardwood floors provides support for installing wood, sound absorption, and a moisture barrier to protect your floor from moisture and water.
Improper Installation
When installing wood floors, instructions need to be followed to protect against moisture and water issues. Never install wood floors over concrete, in a basement, or in humid subtropical climate zones. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendations, proper nailing, and adhesive techniques, install floor planks parallel to the longest wall. Leave a ¾-inch expansion gap around the perimeter and avoid pieces that are damaged or warped.
Improper installation, such as inappropriate filling of seasonal movement gaps, inappropriate filling of spaces between boards intended to accommodate expansion, and incorrect nailing, can cause moisture problems and wood buckling.
Lack of Acclimation to the New Environment
Wood needs to be left in the new environment for as long as possible, such as a few weeks to acclimate to the new temperature and humidity before being installed. Without this time, there is a real chance the flooring will dry out and shrink after it is installed, resulting in unsightly gaps between boards or pick up moisture and expand, creating the potential for buckling.
How To Properly Clean and Maintain Your Wood Floors
The following hardwood floor care and maintenance tips may help preserve your wood floors. Periodically clean your floors with a recommended hardwood floor cleaner such as a Bona Cleaning Kit. Wood floors are best cleaned with a good quality dry mop. Avoid cleaning the floors with water and water mops that can strip the surface protective layer over time and further lead to a build-up of moisture in the wood.
Fixing Your Buckling Wood Floor Can Be Quick and Easy
Without a doubt, your hardwood floors are what make your house a beautiful home. And as we always say, home is where the heart is. So, if moisture or water damage has buckled your floors, you will want to be sure to fix them quickly before additional damage occurs.
Though most homeowner’s insurance does cover water damage to hardwood flooring, a longstanding unattended moisture issue may not be covered.
First, if your damage is severe enough, contact your insurance company to file a claim. Then, have your crawlspace professionally inspected by a local contractor or insurance appraiser to determine the cause of the water or moisture issue. Lastly, devise and implement a plan to halt the moisture or water issue and to replace any wood planks that have buckled.
The good news is that proper care and maintenance of your solid wood floors will result in a floor that will last you for years to come. And that is a beautiful thing!
Sources:
How to Install Hardwood Floors | This Old House
