Cleaning

• Mopping a hardwood floor with excessive water can cause damage and warping to occur. Avoid mopping the floor with a regular mop and water; instead use a specially-designed bush to clean the wood. Always use a cleaner formulated specifically for hardwood floors. Choose cleaning products that are wax based and not water based. Regularly applying a wax-based product to the hardwood floor will help enforce the wood's waterproofing ability.
  
  

Damage

• Hardwood floors have a protective finish that not only protects the wood but also makes it visually appealing. The finish can suffer severe water damage from a spill, and the wood will appear dull and washed from exposure to the water. Staining and discolorations may also occur. The surface of the wood may bubble and twist from the damage. Known as cupping, certain areas of the wood will sink from damage and other spots will rise, which gives the boards an uneven appearance.
  
  

Rot

• Puddled water that remains pooled on the wood's surface for an excessive period causes the wood to rot. Repairing the damage can take an extensive amount of work. The damage area must be removed, and the subfloor beneath the wood flooring will require removal if the water damage extends into its depth. A new subfloor will need to be laid and wood flooring placed over the subfloor's surface. The wood flooring will require sealing to prevent future damage from water spills.
  
  

Cleanup

• Blot up water spills promptly to prevent the water from sinking between the boards of the wood floor. If the water successfully sinks into the wood floor after only a few minutes, refinish the floor. A newly finished wood floor will not sustain extensive damage from a spill because the water will not sink into the wood but instead will pool on the surface. If a board begins to appear warped, remove and replace it to maintain the wood floor's appearance.