Some warped wood flooring is repairable and some is not. The extent of damage will depend partly on the kind of material used in the floor. Different woods react differently to dampness or flooding.

Plywood Many homes have plywood subfloors. Plywood usually separates (de-laminates) from excessive moisture. This will make the covering material (carpet, sheet-flooring or tile) buckle.

If only a small section of the subfloor has separated, replace that section with new plywood. If the entire floor has de-laminated, either remove the entire subfloor and replace it, or renail new plywood over the old. Consult a reliable contractor for this work.

Hardwood Badly warped hardwood floors usually can't be repaired. If the floor is obviously beyond repair, take it up and discard it. Allow subflooring to dry for several months before installing another floor over it.

To repair slightly warped hardwood floors:

1. Clean and dry the floor completely before attempting any repairs. This may take weeks or even months.

2. If the floor is still warped in places when it is dry, remove strips adjacent to the bulges, and plane them on their edges. This will give space for the warped boards to flatten out in time. (If boards are tongue and grooved, consult a carpenter about the special techniques necessary for this work.)

3. You may be able to draw some buckled flooring into place by nailing the bulged spots. Some humps may be removed by planing or sanding. Heavily planed or sanded floors, though unsuitable to be used uncovered, can serve as a base for new flooring, or carpet or resilient floor covering.

Pine Warped wide pine board flooring will often flatten out after it has thoroughly dried. Clean the floor and let it dry for several months. Using the furnace as much as possible during the drying time will speed up the process. (Do not build fires to hasten drying.) Do not try to repair the floor until it is dry. If any boards are still slightly warped when dry, use the same technique as for warped hardwood floors.

When laying a new floor or subfloor, remove baseboards and molding. The finished floor should be the same level as the original floor, if possible. If floor level changes, doors must be refitted to the new level. Consult a carpenter before attempting this work.

This article was written by Anne Field, Extension Specialist, Emeritus, with reference from the USDA Disaster Handbook.



MSU 2003