When it comes to hardwood floors, a little water can do a lot of damage. Just a tiny bit of moisture, if left alone, can quickly render your floors unsalvageable.

So what should you do when a pipe bursts and your wood floors are exposed to standing water? Or what if the toilet overflows and runs into the hallway?

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Can water damage wood floors?

Water can damage hardwood floors—and it will happen quite quickly. Because wood is naturally porous, it can easily absorb moisture. Just a small amount of water can cause staining, while larger spills might cause the planks to buckle, cup, and swell.

This is true even if your wood floors are waxed and sealed. While water-resistant finishes offer someprotection, they can’t completely stop water from being absorbed. Ultimately, they just give you more time to clean up a spill.

Determining the extent of hardwood floor water damage

Before you decide what you should do with your wood floor (clean, repair, or replace), you need to determine the extent of the damage.

How long ago did it happen?

The first thing you need to determine is how long the floor has been wet. If the water came into contact with the floor in the last few hours, you might be able to clean it up and prevent permanent damage.

As a general rule, the longer the water sits, the higher chance you’ll have to repair or replace your floor.

Signs that the floor has been wet for a while include:

The wood is discolored

Boards are buckling or cupping

Mold

has begun to grow

MORE: What is flood insurance and what does it cover?

What was the water source?

Next, determine the water source. Most people don’t know this, but four different types of water can cause damage.

Clean water: This type of water usually comes from your sink, bathtub, shower, or hose. As long as there aren’t any chemicals involved, this is your best bet for repairing rather than replacing.

Gray water: Gray water (or “dirty water”) comes from sources like your dishwasher or washing machine. The water probably isn’t dangerous, but it has contaminants (such as soap). This decreases your chances of being able to clean up and repair.

Black water: The most dangerous type of water your floor can come into contact with, black water comes from sources like overflowing toilets or sewers. When your floor is exposed to black water, you’ll likely need it replaced.

Saltwater: Saltwater from an overflowing fish tank or even the ocean can quickly damage the finish on your wood floors. The faster you get it cleaned up, the more likely you’ll only have to refinish rather than replace it.

How bad is the visible damage?

If the water has been sitting for a while, you may see visible damage. Even if it’s caused by clean water, visible damage is permanent.

Crowning or cupping: Moisture can force the boards together, and you’ll see them shrinking, sticking up, or forming a sort of hill.

Buckling: If you see individual boards on the floor sticking out, they will almost certainly need to be replaced.

Staining: Whitish spots mean the floor needs to be refinished, while black spots mean it needs to be replaced.

To prevent water damage from causing these problems, you’ll need to use fans, blowers, and dehumidifiers as soon as you notice any moisture.

Key Takeaway Different types of water cause different types of damage. To treat your floors properly, first determine where the water is coming from.

MORE: How to get scratches out of wood floors: 11 tips

How to fix wood floor water damage

The first step in fixing hardwood floor water damage is to stop the cause. If you still have water leaking from a sink or coming in through the foundation, repairing the floor doesn’t make sense!

Once you’ve stopped the cause, you can start the drying process. Use fans, blowers, dehumidifiers, and open the windows. After about a week, use a moisture meter to test the floors, then check again in another couple of weeks if they’re not ready.

If you’re lucky, cupped boards might flatten out once they’re fully dry. However, if they don’t flatten, you’ll likely need to have the floor replaced or patched to fix damaged areas.

Lastly, you might need to have the floor refinished to restore luster and fix staining, no matter what.

Key Takeaway The key to saving your hardwood floors when they get wet is to dry them out as quickly and as thoroughly as possible.

MORE: How to care for hardwood floors

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FAQs

What happens when water gets under wood floors?

If water gets under your floor and you don’t dry it immediately, mold may develop. The subfloors can also warp, causing your hardwood floor to shift.

How long does it take for water to damage wood floors?

According to the EPA, mold is capable of growing on most materials (including wood) within 48 to 72 hours. Other damage, such as staining or buckling, can show up in as little as two to seven days.

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