Preventing Further Damage to Flooded Flooring

A pool of water greets you when you step into your kitchen. Don’t panic! Quick action is required to save your valuable flooring, and the experts at CMA Flooring and Design Center can help.

Locate the Shut-Off Valve

Every homeowner should know the location of his or her shut-off valve. Quickly find and twist the handle clockwise to turn off the water supply to your pipes. This will stop more water from flooding your floors and prevent any further damage.

Assess the Damage and Take the Required Measures

• Woodwill be the damsel in the most distress. Wood floors are supremely beautiful but can warp shortly after exposure to water. Box fans can accelerate the drying process after the water is removed, although floors may have to be refinished afterward.

• Laminate isn’t a water baby, either. Water can pool underneath the laminate and bring mold and mildew along with it. This type of floor can be removed if it’s a floating floor and after drying can be reinstalled.

• Tile(brick or stone) is the knight in shining armor when it comes to moisture, although if left wet for a long time, the tiles will eventually separate from the subfloor. After the water is removed, allow your tile flooring to air dry.

• Carpet and water leave a soggy mess that can cause carpeting to mildew or fall apart. Pull the carpet back and remove the pad. After drying the carpet, it can be re-stretched into its original position once the padding is replaced. Carpet and padding can be taken outside to dry, though it will dry quicker on a sunny day.

Grab the Shop-Vac or Broom

A shop-vac can suck up water quickly, but be careful with electrical cords. If you don’t have a shop-vac handy, water can be swept up using a simple broom and dustpan. This isn’t the most efficient method, but it can work reasonably well in a pinch. It’s also handy to have a squeegee nearby to pick up any of the excess water.

If you’re not sure if you saved your flooring in time, call the experts at CMA Flooring in Carrollton at 972-418-6606. Our design experts can provide a free, in-home consultation to assess your flooring needs, whether it’s for carpet, tile, vinyl, laminate, or hardwood flooring. We look forward to hearing from you!