The short answer is “usually not.”  If there’s no structural damage, you’ll be able to restore it.

Wood floors are timeless and classic; they never go out of style and, when properly maintained, the flooring looks even better with age. For both solid and engineered hardwood come in a wide range of species and colors; explore as many samples as you can at the store.

Rule #one:  Don’t panic

Do know that time is of the essence, however.  Wipe as much up as you can from the hardwood;  remove all wet/damp items, such as rugs, towels, etc., and check as many nooks and crannies as you can to be sure water isn’t hiding somewhere you can’t see it.

if possible, rent a wet vac from the hardware store because that’ll suck up the standing water and let you know if there's still any liquid someplace. Sometimes something can look dry but isn't.

Disinfect the floors; ask your flooring retailer for the best one to use.  The reason is that flood water often becomes contaminated and that hurts the wood. 

If weather permits, open all windows  Use fans, humidifiers, and air conditioners.

If you have any doubt or concern all about the hardwood, call a professional to have them examine the flooring.

Engineered hardwood alleviates some concern

While you would still need to go through the very same steps with these, or any,  floors when there’s a major flood, engineered hardwood is more stable and handles water better.

The only difference between the two is the construction. Rather than one slab through the plank, this has a slab of genuine wood on top that's often called the veneer layer. It's what gives the floor so much beauty and character.
Underneath are at least three layers of authentic wood combined with resins.  The layers are placed crosswise and that is what gives it the stability. Unlike solid, it won’t shrink and expand to adjust to the weather, and it can be placed in a few higher-than-normal moisture areas, such as the powder room and half bath (not the full bath, however.)


For more information, visit the Mississippi Pro Design Center showroom in Pearl, MS, servicing Madison, Flowood, Brandon, Clinton, Pearl, and Jackson.  Ask us about our estimates.