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The Cost of Water Damage from Rain and Snow

The increased moisture that most of the country experience during the winter season can wreak havoc on the hardwood floors in our home. Even the smallest amount of moisture can seep into our hardwood and set the stage for serious effects like cracking and warping. Because hardwood flooring is such a large investment, it’s important that homeowners do everything that they can to prevent extensive water damage.

With the right tips you should be able to preserve the appearance and durability of your hardwood floors while saving big money. Learn about preventing water damage from rain and snow and the costs of repairing hardwood flooring after moisture damage has occurred.

Replacing Damaged Materials

Every time you walk into your house this winter, you run the risk of tracking in snow, ice and rainwater, exposing your hardwood floors to the risk of damage. To prevent this, take off your shoes before you enter and lay down protective mats in front of your door.

However, let’s say that despite your best efforts, your hardwood flooring does end up suffering major moisture damage. In order to fix the issue, you’ll usually need to replace the damaged boards, which can end up costing a great deal of money. For example, the typical hardwood material costs for a 120-square foot room can range between $138.00 to $1,253.00, which is $1.15 to $10.44 per square foot.

Of course, your specific costs depend entirely on what type of wood you’re replacing. A hardwood like Basswood, for instance, only costs between $0.39 and $0.89 per square foot, making it very cost effective to replace. On the other hand, a more exotic wood like Red Oak can come with a price range of $4.49 to $8.89 per square foot, leading to much higher replacement costs.

If you don’t want to end up paying for expensive material replacement costs, preventing snow and rain damage is a good idea.

The Labor Cost of Failing to Prevent Water Damage

We’ve already mentioned the cost you might pay in materials after your hardwood flooring has experienced water damage, but did you know that replacing damaged hardwood floors is much more involved than simply buying new hardwood planks? In fact, the labor costs needed to repair your hardwood floors can end up being very expensive, meaning you need to look at them more closely.

Before you can install your new hardwood, you’ll need to remove your old, damaged planks, which can cost $1.42 to $3.54 per square foot. While this might not seem like much for a small job, it can end up being very expensive depending on how much damage your floor has suffered.

In addition, you might have to pay for sub floor leveling ($0.50 to $6.00 per square foot), removal of your old wood and other debris ($0.25 to $0.50 per square foot), and moving furniture ($23 to $53.00 per items).

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Avoid the Costs of Repairing Hardwood Flooring

To avoid paying the costs of repairing hardwood flooring, you should make sure to protect your floors from potential moisture damage this winter. With just a little effort, such as being vigilant about not tracking in snow and water, you can save a great deal of money and enjoy your hardwood floors for much longer.

 

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