NewGen Mitigation

If you’ve experienced a flood, it’s advised that you have that water cleaned up immediately, even if your flooring is water-resistant. Sometimes, excessive amounts of water or water left to sit on your floors for extended periods can cause damage that cannot be repaired. So how do you know when it has reached the stage of needing floor replacement? There are a few factors that determine when it’s time to ditch the idea of repairing your floors and replace them instead. 

The Extent of The Damage
While most flooring options available on the market these days are water-resistant, it’s important to keep in mind that these flooring options are only water-resistant from the top down. This means that once water seeps through or gets beneath your flooring (i.e. your subfloor), it can cause irreversible damage. If you notice any of the below signs of water damage, it’s highly-likely that your floors will need to be replaced: 

• Discoloration:  Dark patches or dark spots are an indication of a mold or mildew issue. If you find any new stains or changes in the color of your flooring it most certainly is water damage.
  
  
• Cupping:  If you notice that the edges of your floor planks are curving upward, it means the flooring has taken on too much moisture. 
  
  
• Warping: Bubbles, peeling or cracking are indications of water damage. 
  
  
• Odor: Any foul odor or smell emanating from your flooring, sub-flooring or planks is usually a sign of mold or mildew.
  
  
• Crowning: Opposite to cupping, crowning is when moisture causes your planks/boards to become rounded with a high point in the middle and low on the edges. 
  
  
• Buckling: This is when your flooring planks detach from the subfloor at the seams or begin to peel upwards.

The Type of Water 
In addition to the above, you must pay attention to the kind of water that floods your home. Clean water can leak from dishwashers, washing machines, bathtub or leaky pipes. This sort of water does not have any negative health effects, but if experienced in large amounts and left to sit for extended periods of time, can cause damage to your flooring that cannot be repaired. On the other hand, water that is dark and unhygienic/unsanitary, such as sewage or river water, is dangerous and can lead to severe health issues. It is recommended that flooring which comes into contact with this type of water be replaced as soon as possible. 

The Length of Time Water Is Left To Sit
Severe flooding and water stagnation in your house for over 48 hours can not only lead to flooring damage but can also cause structural issues. This will require you to call in professionals who can suggest remedial measures and then assess the damage to your flooring and work out a further plan of action.

When you need fast, reliable water damage cleanup call NewGen Remediation Specialists. Our IICRC-trained and certified professionals provide time-saving, custom, turnkey solutions that help get you back to normal in the quickest possible time. Contact us!