Repairing Climate Damaged Floors
It's important that you purchase flooring that meets the needs of your home's indoor climate, otherwise floor repair could
become a common part of your life. Many climate–related issues can be addressed prior to floor installation simply by
laying down a moisture barrier or underlayment. This preventative measure can help
stop moisture from seeping in and damaging your floor and subfloor.
Q: A leak has caused my hardwood floors to buckle. What do I do?
A: Leaks can cause hardwood floor planks to buckle, warp, and lift up from the subfloor. It's important
that you find and fix the source of the leak before trying to repair the floor, otherwise the buckling will continue. Once
the leak is fixed, soak up any excess water with a towel or vacuum. Speed the drying process with a fan or space heater. When
the area has completely dried, your hardwood floor will most likely return to normal. You may have to sand and refinish the
floor after the water damage is repaired.
Q: Some of my hardwood floor planks are cupping. What do I do?
A: Cupped hardwood floor planks will raise up along the
edges as the center of each plank sinks down. This happens when there is a change in your home's indoor humidity level.
Stabilize the humidity in each room by investing in a humidifier (in dry climates) or a dehumidifier (in humid climates). Use
fans to help dry the floors and remove excess moisture. Once the floors are sufficiently dried, they can be sanded and
refinished. The floors should be ready for sanding and refinishing once they're adequately dried. For extremely damaged
hardwood floors, you may want to consider hiring a flooring professional.
Q: How do I fix cracked or split hardwood or concrete floors?
A: Cracks or splits in hardwood flooring will occur naturally over the years. You can fix them by
anchoring the pieces together using angled nails and then applying a small amount of wood putty to disguise the crack. Larger
cracks can be fixed by refinishing the floor. If some planks have particularly bad splits, they may need to be replaced
altogether.
Cracked concrete floors can be fixed with a patching compound. Prepare the compound and fill the crack fully, to create a
smooth surface. If you're fixing outdoor concrete flooring, be sure to make the repairs in the right kind of weather.
Overcast, damp weather with a temperature around 55 degrees is ideal and will keep the compound from drying too quickly.
