Water Under Hardwood Floor Mold

Use fans to circulate the air in your home and have patience as your floors dry.

Water under hardwood floor mold.

Wood is specifically susceptible to mold growth so it is important that you ensure that the floor and the sub floor are completely dry. Mold is capable of growing on most materials with a relative moisture level of 16 or higher. After severe water damage it is likely that wood floors will have to be replaced. To dry beneath wood floors which have been flooded first you should remove any wet floor coverings such as rugs or carpet.

Hardwood flooring systems are incredibly sensitive to moisture. If this has occurred it will also need to be replaced before installing new dry hardwood floor. Mold and mildew thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny lightweight spores that travel through. Chances are that the water damage happened a while ago if the floor itself has started to warp.

Water stains are an indication that water may have set on your wood for far too long. Visible water damage is a big sign that you may have a mold issue especially if the floor has a spongy strength to it when you walk over it. Unfortunately for your hardwood floors that means they are vulnerable to damage and mold growth underneath them when there has been water or flood damage. Mold begins to grow after 48 hours of water damage occurring.

The moisture temperature and dust layer beneath a wet wood floor provides a pretty good environment for mold. Next dry the floors completely by pumping out standing water then mop and towel the surface dry. Homeowners may have a tendency to think that the floor is warping due to faulty installation or that even the wood itself is somehow at fault. Additionally excess moisture can promote the growth of mold and bacteria weakening the wood and creating health hazards when they multiply.

If floors have cupped popped or cracked it may be an indication that the sub floor has experienced water damage as well. Scrub the entire floor and all related woodwork baseboards stairs and newel posts etc with a stiff brush rinsing the brush frequently in the bucket. Leaving wet floors naturally air dry is not worth the potential risk. As a hygroscopic material wood will typically absorb or let off moisture until it reaches an equilibrium with its environment.

3 check under the hardwood floorboards. How much water is too much water damage doesn t have to be severe for mold to grow. Another issue of growing concern is the development of mold or mildew beneath the flooring. Clean with clean water in a bucket.