The flooring of your home is an important design element. Your living room will likely not meet your expectations, even when you have the most beautiful furniture and elegant curtains you can get. However, flooring is the place where people first get to see it. Water can have a variety of effects on flooring.
If you experience an emergency flood, coping with significant water damage can be the most stressful thing. It could be a nightmare if pipes explode or rain excessively and cause flooding. Knowing how different flooring kinds will react when damaged by flooding is applicable regardless of whether you live in a district that is prone to flooding or are working to repair floors that have suffered water damage.
Water Damage on Floorings
Water’s effects on floors might differ based on the type of materials used. Even though you may believe that floors made of materials resilient to water’s effects, such as ceramic or vinyl, aren’t affected by water, this isn’t always the case. In the following text, we will discuss the general impacts of water on flooring materials.
1. Tiles
The water may not damage the tiles themselves, but it can weaken them and loosen the grout which holds them in the first place. When this occurs, water may get out of the tile and encourage mold growth.
A rating system for tiles will tell you the amount of water they will absorb before they are damaged. Choose vitreous or impermeable tiles for excellent protection from water damage when redecorating your kitchen or bathroom.
Companies like PuroClean of Southlake can provide you with expert assistance in remediating the water damage and can likewise solve the problem.
2. Hardwood
Due to their higher volume and resistance to moisture, engineered wood is the ideal alternative to solid wood as a flooring option for basements in areas that aren’t at risk of flooding. Because they’re porous, wood flooring is often damaged and not repairable after submerging in water.
The water can cause black marks on hardwood flooring as well. These can be cleaned, but doing so could require much effort. Because wooden flooring, as well as humidity, do not mix well, so we do not recommend installing them in bathrooms or kitchens that have water.
3. Laminate
Laminate flooring, even though it has a beautiful appearance and is quite affordable, is not waterproof. Contrary to vinyl made of plastic, the basis for laminate flooring is made of wood, which is why the flooring is prone to warping when water seeps into the outer barrier. It’s not a great idea to place this flooring in damp areas such as the bathroom.
A property restoration company can immediately address the water problem in your property. Their expert team can determine the cause and solve it immediately to avoid more significant damage.
4. Carpet
The fact that carpeting is extremely warm and insulation makes it a common material choice for basements; nevertheless, cleaning carpeting that has been damaged through water damage is the most challenging. In the aftermath of a major flooding event, the carpet has to be removed quickly. If the carpet is allowed to stay on the floor, it will begin to produce either mildew or mold. It could damage the subfloor if not addressed by a reputable company expert in water damage restoration Euless.
5. Vinyl
The formation of water pockets is a frequent occurrence in vinyl flooring following an incident of flooding. As they risk rotting the subfloor, they must be addressed promptly. Once the subfloor is dry enough, the vinyl flooring can be easily removed and changed.
Vinyl and Linoleum flooring is perfect for damp environments such as kitchens and bathrooms. Its inorganic structure makes vinyl hard to bend and warp even after prolonged water immersion.