This brings us to a popular cleaning technique to avoid that can actually damage your hardwood floors.
Water left on hardwood floor.
Leaving the water can cause irreparable damage to the wood as it is absorbed by the grain.
The cloudy haze on your hardwood floor may be residue left over from cleaning with a product you shouldn t have been using.
Water is hardwood floor s worst enemy which means it s important to get water up quickly whether it is a small spill from a cup toppling over or a large amount of water due to a leak or flooding in the home.
There are different options you can take depending on the severity of the problem.
The wood will first swell then cup and buckle.
When water sits on top of hardwood floors it can permanently ruin the hardwood as the wood will absorb the water through its pores causing warping and discoloration.
Water and moisture can cause the flooring to become warped and permanently damaged.
Before the floors totally dry take a non abrasive but stiff brush plenty of water and a non sudsing detergent and thoroughly clean your floors.
You may have to screen the floor and re coat with fresh finish.
In the first three cases cleaning the floor with an appropriate cleaner should lift the haze but if the problem is moisture related the fix may be trickier.
Sometimes if you let it dry out.
It could also be caused by moisture.
Use an ammonia solution.
White water marks on a hardwood surface only affect the wood s finish and are easily removed with a light sanding and sealing process.
When water spills are left on hardwood or go unnoticed for.
Puddles of water on your hardwood can cause swelling and discoloration so it is recommended to use a light mist of cleaner that is specifically made for wood floors.
M ajor storms like sandy can cause extensive water damage to hardwood floors but panicked homeowners should not rush to replace what appears to be beyond repair.
Remove the existing finish.
Minor water damage can be a result of small leaks or standing water from a spill.
Minor water damage leaves you with hardwood floor boards that may be discolored and possibly swollen or cracked.
If your house has flooded there will likely be mud and silt trapped in the crevices and corners of your floor.
A more aggressive approach simply sanding and refinishing your.
An ammonia solution of 1 cup ammonia per gallon of water can be used to dissolve the buildup.
Once buckled replacement is the only option for repairing.
So if you have a flood or water damage or even just a spill on your hardwood flooring you ll want to remove the water and dry your floors as quickly as possible.