Hardwood Floor Discoloration From Water

Certain species of wood floor are more prone to fading and discoloration than others.

Hardwood floor discoloration from water.

High levels of tannic acid present in woods like oak walnut and mahogany can produce a dark discoloration when coming in contact with some products used in the finishing and maintenance of wood floors. 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. Water on or under the floor. In general most solid wood flooring will contract during periods of low humidity leaving cracks between boards and expand during periods of high humidity.

When rh falls wood loses moisture to the air. Most problems with wood floors are caused by too much moisture. 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. They are usually the result of standing water and are most likely to occur when the finish has worn thin.

Wood floor problems caused by excessive moisture. You need to remove the finish to bleach these black stains out of the wood and the best way to do that is to sand the affected area by hand with 120 grit. Tannic acid is water soluble and may discolor when it comes in contact with iron and water which usually appears as a bluish gray. Uneven discoloration of wood flooring is sometimes caused by a rug.

Move the rugs every so often and check underneath to ensure that any discoloration is happening evenly. 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. These are some of the most common causes.