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It’s easy to panic when discovering wet wood floor damage. Whether you witness standing water or discover the damage months or weeks later, dollar signs likely flash in your mind. However, this initial reaction may be way off base, depending on how you approach the situation.

First Steps in Addressing Wet Wood Floor Damage

Wet wood floor damage should be approached similarly, whether dealing with a spilled soda, a leaking door or busted pipe. Your first move is always to dry out the surface as quickly as possible. This can range from mopping with an absorbent towel to bringing in a wet vacuum. Whatever the damage, the quicker you remove standing liquid the closer you are to a happy solution.

Once the surface dries, you must immediately clean the entire surface. This sounds counterintuitive to scrub with cleaning solution a floor you just dried. However, this step is not negotiable. Any traces of dirt or other organic materials must be removed from crevices. Failing to do so can lead to the material absorbing leftover moisture, resulting in bacteria growth.

Once the area is mopped and cleaned, it’s time to really dry. Bring in fans large and powerful enough to address the area. Complete drying may take days. Conduct periodic inspections along the way, and call professionals if you see anything that potentially looks like harmful mold.

After a section feels dry, you need to confirm this with a moisture testing meter. Remember, this may take longer to register dry than a simple touch test. When dry, assess for long-term damage or decline in appearance.

Wet wood floor damage doesn’t have to equate disaster. Follow these steps to put yourself in the best position for a full (and less inexpensive) recovery.

People constantly ask about the best way to dust hardwood floors. What they truly mean is, “how can I clean my floors without eating up a lot of my time?” Many seek hardwoods for their beauty and for easy cleanup of spills and materials such as pet hair. However, regular maintenance and dusting keeps floors from needing more laborious cleanings.

Why Prevention is the Best Way to Dust Hardwoods Floor

Sure, prevention’s an easy out … but it’s also the best way to keep floors clean. Simple tasks like removing shoes at the door go a long way. Not only will you keep dust, stones and other items from coming in on the bottom of your shoes, you will avoid unsightly scuff markets from shoe soles. Also, do whatever is needed to keep scratches and gouges from floors – especially when rearranging furniture. Deep grooves trap dirt requiring even deeper cleanings.

When you are ready for dusting – this should occur every other day if you have pets – moisture is not your friend. Maintenance dusting should be done quickly and dry. Avoid brooms in day-to-day cleaning, also. These simply push dirt and dust around the room. A soft cloth works just fine. If you don’t want to invest in a branded microfiber cleaner, cloth diapers do an excellent job.

When deeper cleaning is needed, a damp – not wet – mopping is all that’s needed. Use a mild liquid cleaner that is specifically designed for wood floors. Remember, less is more. Too much cleaner can result in creating a bigger mess. Dirt plus water equals mud, right? Too much cleaner also results in an unsightly buildup that dulls a floor’s beauty.

The best way to dust hardwood floors is with small investments of cleaning time, saving you from time-robbing, higher-maintenance scrubbing.