Bulge wood floor what to do?

Davidos7 on 03/02/2019 - 09:33

Hi,
My baby dropped a bottle of water on the wood floor and we haven't noticed that for a few days I assume.
The wood floor has bulged a bit (You can't notice it with your eyes, but you can tell when you walk on it without shoes).
It's a rented house and we're a bit worried about the consequences.

Is it necessary to replace the wood floor?
If yes how much approx this should cost?
if not, what are the additional steps that can be done to minimize the damage? (for example, dry the floor with a fan).

Lastly,
What you will do in my situation? should I contact the landlord and ask him to fix it? my only concern is that he will get panicked and I will have to pay a lot of money for barely visible damage.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • Melb69 on 03/02/2019 - 09:42
    +2

    Let it try out. Should go back to normal, but a stain may remain. Do you have a picture. Assume its expanded over time.

    • Euphemistic on 03/02/2019 - 11:01

      This. I discovered our dishwasher was leaking when our bamboo flooring lifted. Fixed the leak, worries about the floor but after about a week it dried it enough not to be noticeable.

  • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2019 - 10:13
    +5

    If it is a laminate (which it most likely is because it is cheap and bloats quickly), it is like, if not actually is, MDF with a thin film of "wood look". If water goes between the seams and manages to seep pass the film laminate, the layer below takes on water very quickly.

    The water eventually dries out but it will never return to it's original state.

    These things are typically held in place by compressive packing along the edges and a skirt board over the packing. Remove the skirt board and packing and you can swap that piece for a piece in a less conspicuous area.

    Small job if you're handy. Pay the tax man if you're not.

    • elgrande on 03/02/2019 - 10:40
      +1

      Small job

      Unless its in the middle of the room.. not to mention finding a matching laminate.

      • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2019 - 11:00
        -2

        It's a rental. I'm guessing the room is small.

  • JimmyF on 03/02/2019 - 10:25

    Let it dry out, wood expands when wet. So it should reduce in size, as long as it doesn't stain, you'll be ok :)

    • Rukiata on 03/02/2019 - 12:29

      owo

    • Stewardo on 03/02/2019 - 14:25
      +1

      Mdf swells when wet and doesn’t return to original shape, its pretty bad product for Flooring but it’s cheap.

      • JimmyF on 03/02/2019 - 14:35

        True, but hard to say what part as swelled and what hasn't. As its not noticeable to the eye, its a wait and see I guess :)

  • mreddie on 03/02/2019 - 11:17
    +1

    Waits for MS Paint picture…

  • dcep on 03/02/2019 - 14:24
    +2

    maybe cover it with some rice

    • [Deactivated] on 03/02/2019 - 14:46

      Cooked or not?

      • dcep on 03/02/2019 - 14:51

        i found kimchi fried rice the best

  • Davidos7 on 03/02/2019 - 21:25

    Hi, thanks, everybody. I tried to take a few pictures, but it isn't visible. Also, she did it right in the corner of the room and not in the middle so it should be easy to replace if needed, right?

    There is also no water stains on the wood floor. Should I contact the landlord? or just let it dry for another week? My main concern is that that the water went through the seam and it will cause bigger damage in the long run (Is there any professional that can check it without pulling off the floor)?

    • afoveht on 03/02/2019 - 22:11

      A bottle of water isn't generally going to cause major damage. IMO just leave it.

      We had damage from an overflowing pot plant on our floor and the timber warped enough to really annoy me. I learnt to live with it but it actually disappeared over time. Unless you are specifically looking for it it's not noticeable. Yours may be similar.

    • Euphemistic on 04/02/2019 - 07:02

      My main concern is that that the water went through the seam and it will cause bigger damage in the long run (Is there any professional that can check it without pulling off the floor)?

      If it was only a bottle of water, then don’t worry about it too much. There is limited moisture and unlikely to be any more. Main problems come from slow leaks that aren’t discovered for a long time - continuously wet.

      Leave it for at least a month before you consider any professional help or contacting the landlord. It will dry out, especially while it’s warm - except maybe if you are in Townsville.

  • mhasan on 04/02/2019 - 08:57
    +1

    Dependig on the floor board, mine never came back to the original shape. You can call the house insurance company and ask them to fix it. We called our insurance company and they said that we called them very late therefore they are not liable to fix it.

  • plugmeister on 04/02/2019 - 09:50
    +1

    Just let it dry and forget it. I doubt the landlord/agent will even notice and even if they do it can be considered normal wear and tear. A house is for living in so landlords need to expect that things will be spilt from time to time. Floors will be scuffed and scratched and worn over time. Don't stress over it.

    • HighAndDry on 04/02/2019 - 10:58
      +1

      so landlords need to expect that things will be spilt from time to time.

      Also reasonable that spills are cleaned up fairly quickly and not literally left to soak. This is why landlords hate some tenants.

  • brad1-8tsi on 07/02/2019 - 11:43
    +1

    Put a heavy flat weight on it while it dries

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