What to do when floodwaters seep into hardwood floors

Homeowners have to act fast if they decide to try to save hardwood floors submerged in floodwaters.

Cleanup crews, however, recommend removing flooring and other materials that absorb unsanitary, murky water from flooding of rivers or streams based on strict standards set by an industry organization.

But if homeowners decide to go against that recommendation and keep their wood floors, restoration companies likely will ask them to sign a waiver. Experts caution that secondary damage can still arise even after drying and treating surfaces, especially if water soaks the subfloors.

Homeowners also face a race against the clock because wood floors are often highly susceptible to warping and other problems just 24 hours after flooding.

The best-case scenario? Renting a wet/dry vacuum to soak up water or even mopping wood floors to give crews a head start on their job within that critical 24-hour window.

"It helps immensely," said Dan Schroeder, mitigation division manager at First Priority DKI, a South Elgin-based company that restores properties damaged by floods.

First Priority crews work to both disinfect and dry surfaces. They come with an arsenal of devices, including drying mats that work to extract water from flooring.

That system, called Injectidry, allows crews to treat the wood in place if there's "very little risk" for mold, said T.J. Seiffert, one of the owners of First Priority.

Homeowners in flood-prone areas also can try to stack the deck in their favor by installing certain types of wood floors.

Red oak species, for instance, absorb water at a faster rate than white oak, Schroeder said. He's seen homeowners have the "best luck" drying and preserving Brazilian cherry wood.

And, what about carpeting? Virtually all experts agree flood-soaked rugs and carpets simply can't be saved; it's best to drag them to the curb.