Have you noticed your boards starting to bulge in the middle? This is a common problem known as warping, and there are several ways to fix it.

 

---

Have you noticed that your floorboards are starting to bulge in the middle? Do they appear as if they’re lifting up at the edges? Have you started to notice gaps and cracks between them? If so, don’t worry. This is a common problem known as Warping, and there are multiple ways of fixing it.

 

What Causes Hardwood Floors to Warp?

Before you fix your warped hardwood floor, it is crucial that you first understand the cause. Floorboards warp when they are exposed to excessive amounts of moisture for extended periods of time. It could be that a lot of liquid has been spilled on the floorboard. It could also be that the moisture is coming from underneath the floor due to a leak.

 

Warped floorboards can also be caused by the natural rise and fall of humidity levels. The methods you should use to fix the damage depend on how severely damaged the affected floorboards are.

 

 

 

If your Floorboards have Minor Damage:

If your floorboards are only slightly warped, you can use a simple and straightforward method to repair them; First wipe any warped floorboards with a towel and disinfectant. Then, vacuum the planks until they’re dry. Once they are dry, place a dehumidifier in the room above or below the floor, depending on where the moisture came from, for 24 hours. You can also use a fan to speed up the process. If your floorboards have only minor damage, then this may help them go back to normal.

 

If your Floorboards have Major Damage:

If the towel and disinfectant technique doesn’t solve the problem, then you may have to remove and replace the floorboards and re-varnish the floor. This, however, does not mean you need to completely replace your floor. You can remove planks from other parts of the floor to replace the damaged planks. Another option is to go to your local hardware store and buy hardwood planks that match your floor. Click here for a complete guide to replacing your floorboards.

 

Preventing Warped Floors

To prevent your floors from warping, you should wipe up any liquid you spill on the floor immediately. Check to make sure there are no leaks coming from pipes or your sink. You should also make sure not to use too much water when cleaning your floor.

 

However, the best way to prevent a hardwood floor from warping lies in its installation. Improper glue and nailing can make a hardwood floor more susceptible to warping, so if you want to fully commit to preventing warped hardwood flooring, contact the experts at Barwood Pilon for your hardwood floor installation project.

 

When are hardwood floors beyond repair

In addition to warping, there are other forms of damage that might mean you’ll have to replace at least parts of your hardwood floor. The first thing you need to watch out for is nails. If you’re beginning to see the heads of nails rising from your floorboards, you may need to replace your entire hardwood floor. This issue is especially prevalent in older homes.

 

Excessive exposure to moisture can also cause floors to develop mold. One way to tell if your floor is molding is when it begins to emit a foul odor. If there is only a small amount of mold, you may be able to solve the problem yourself with a scrub brush and cleaning solution, but in severe cases of molding, you may need to replace your floor.