Q: I had a refrigerator water line start leaking under my 60 yr. old home. The pine floors started curling and this affected parts of two rooms before I noticed and repaired the leak.
What steps should I take to dry the floor back out? I have heard that some of the curling issues may go away after the floor dries back out. It’s 90+ degree heat during the day and low 70s at night here, just starting into summer.
A: What do you mean by leaking under your home? Into a crawl space? The idea is to remove the excess moisture from beneath the floor, the sub floor and the finished floor.
Fans and dehumidifiers will be very helpful. Yes, often a floor will flatten out on it’s own. Let’s hope so.
Related Q: I have a 3″ x 10″ spot on my hardwood floor that rippled a little bit after I discovered that water had spilled and set on the floor too long. The floor is 10 years old and still in excellent shape, except this spot that was just rippled. Can I steam it and try to press it flat again? what do you suggest?
A: I definitely would not steam it. You could blow a fan on it for a number of days, but this is going to be a waiting game.
I have seen floors do this and then flatten on their own. Sometimes they don’t. I would give it several weeks to find out.
It is also a good idea to have a dehumidifier running, especially in the basement if it tends to be a bit damp as many basements are.
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