How To Tell If Your Floor Has Water Damage

2/4/2019 (Permalink)

No floor is safe from water damage. Water can seep down to the sub floor or even seep up from a slab leak. It’s pretty easy to tell whether or floor has had any water damage, and with these tips, you’ll be able to spot it fairly quickly. Each floor type has a different set of signs of water damage, so familiarize yourself with all of the signs to prevent unpleasant surprises.

Carpet shows discoloration and an odor from mold or mildew.

Tile which has discoloration could mean it has water damage. Another trick is to tap on the tiles with a coin. If you hear an empty or hollow sound it means the tiles are loose and that it could be water damage.

Hardwood flooring has four main signs that water damage has occurred. The first sign is buckling which means the floor planks have completely removed themselves from the floor under them. Next, are dark spots – which could just be a part of the wood’s natural pattern, but if it’s a fairly new spot it is most likely mold or mildew. Third, is bulging which is when the wood planks bubble upwards and create sort of a crown shape. Lastly, is cupping. With cupping, the planks will have dips in the center and raised edges.

Laminate flooring usually sports swelling around the edges. Warping also occurs when the planks aren’t flat and are cupping or bulging. Discoloration could mean mold or mildew.

Linoleum flooring that is showing discoloration could mean that there is water damage.

If you suspect your floor has had water damage, call SERVPRO of Texarkana at 3-832-4400.