Moisture Damage, Mold and Flooring: What You Need to Know

Mold: it’s a word many feel is synonymous with poor housekeeping. In reality, though, this isn’t always the case. Mold problems can happen to anyone at any time, even if your family prides itself on its cleanliness. Fungi, a category which mold falls under, is constantly evolving and finding new ways to thrive in difficult environments. Mold problems in American households are probably more common than you think!

If you’ve stumbled upon this blog post, you’re probably already dealing with mold in your home and are wondering if your beloved flooring is safe from the destruction. Or perhaps you’re just a conscientious flooring owner looking to minimize potential future damage. Regardless, E Hardwoods & Flooring is here to give you all the facts about mold and flooring.

Your Floors, Fungi, and You

Because mold is so insidious, your first order of action is to call in a mold professional to investigate. They should let you know if your flooring is an issue, but if they do not, don’t hesitate to ask. Waterproof flooring, hardwood flooring, and engineered hardwood flooring all deal with and hide mold in different ways, so asking questions specific to your flooring type is also recommended.

Outside of professional help, however, there are a few potential signs that your flooring has taken a hit from mold:

• Having dealt with leaky piping or appliances recently | Though this isn’t a hard-and-fast indicator that you have mold in your floors (only a professional will be able to tell you), excessive moisture where moisture shouldn’t be—in the floorboards or underneath them—sets the stage for mold growth. Even vinyl flooring, which is waterproof and common in bathrooms, can hide mold problems underneath it in the right conditions!
• Soft boards | If you have hardwood flooring and you notice it becoming soft, the chances are it is unwell. While, again, this doesn’t mean you definitely have mold problems and will need to replace your flooring, it suggests you should hire a professional to further investigate the issue.
• A strong, musky odor | Often, moldy surroundings smell. Many people find this odor difficult to describe, but if you’ve ever smelled rotten wood, use it as your reference point. Again, this doesn’t necessarily mean that your floor is the issue, but it suggests you should get it checked out by a professional.

E Hardwoods & Flooring is Here With Replacement Flooring

Did you get some bad news from that professional you brought to your home? Let’s turn it into good news: it’s your chance to get a brand new floor! Peruse E Hardwoods & Flooring’s massive online stock here or contact us with questions.