Water Under Hardwood Floor Mold

Chances are that the water damage happened a while ago if the floor itself has started to warp.

Water under hardwood floor mold.

Mold and mildew thrive on moisture and reproduce by means of tiny lightweight spores that travel through. Wood is specifically susceptible to mold growth so it is important that you ensure that the floor and the sub floor are completely dry. A water damaged wood floor can remain above 18 mc for over a month. To dry beneath wood floors which have been flooded first you should remove any wet floor coverings such as rugs or carpet.

Water stains are an indication that water may have set on your wood for far too long. After severe water damage it is likely that wood floors will have to be replaced. Use fans to circulate the air in your home and have patience as your floors dry. Another issue of growing concern is the development of mold or mildew beneath the flooring.

Clean with clean water in a bucket. As a hygroscopic material wood will typically absorb or let off moisture until it reaches an equilibrium with its environment. Mold grows on organic materials in environments with high humidity or trapped moisture. 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. 3 check under the hardwood floorboards. Hardwood flooring systems are incredibly sensitive to moisture. 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.

Mold is capable of growing on most materials with a relative moisture level of 16 or higher. 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. How much water is too much water damage doesn t have to be severe for mold to grow. 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.

If floors have cupped popped or cracked it may be an indication that the sub floor has experienced water damage as well. If this has occurred it will also need to be replaced before installing new dry hardwood floor. Leaving wet floors naturally air dry is not worth the potential risk. The moisture temperature and dust layer beneath a wet wood floor provides a pretty good environment for mold.