Speed Determines Whether the Hardwood Can Be Saved
Hardwood flooring in a Las Vegas home is vulnerable to water damage in a specific way. Hardwood absorbs moisture quickly and expands across its width, which causes cupping the edges of each board rise above the center within hours of significant water exposure. If drying begins quickly with commercial equipment and the subfloor is addressed simultaneously, cupped hardwood can sometimes be restored through the drying process and professional sanding. If it buckles the boards lift from the subfloor and arch up restoration is no longer possible and replacement is required.
Timing is the critical variable. Hardwood that is extracted and dried within 12 to 24 hours of a clean water event has a reasonable chance of being saved if cupping has not progressed to buckling. Hardwood that has been wet for 48 hours or more, or that was exposed to contaminated water, should come out. The subfloor assessment is equally important hardwood can look salvageable while the subfloor below has already developed mold in the elevated moisture conditions.
The Subfloor Determines the Scope
Even when hardwood is saved, the subfloor condition determines the total scope. Plywood subfloor that has been saturated begins developing mold on the surface within 48 hours in Las Vegas summer conditions. We assess the subfloor through test points before making a full recommendation. A homeowner in Summerlin had salvageable hardwood above subfloor that had already begun to show surface mold. The hardwood was saved, the subfloor came out, and mold remediation of the framing below was included in the scope.
What We Do
We extract water, assess both the hardwood and subfloor condition, and give you a realistic recommendation. Read more about our water damage restoration and structural drying services. Call (702) 442-1126 immediately.