Skip to main content
The Preferred Group logo
Wet hardwood floor drying after water damage in a Toronto home

Wet Floor Drying

Water in your floors needs to come out fast. The sooner we get there, the better the chance of saving them.

647-563-9966 · Available 24/7

Wet floors are a race against the clock

Wet hardwood is one of the trickiest parts of any flood job. You have got a short window to act before the wood starts to cup, buckle, or grow mould underneath. Once that happens, you are usually looking at a tear-out and full replacement.

We have dried hundreds of floors across Toronto and the GTA. Solid hardwood and subfloor each handle water differently, and each needs a different approach to dry properly.

The difference between saving your floors and replacing them often comes down to how fast you call. A shop vac and a few fans will not cut it. You need drying mats, air movers, and a dehumidifier pulling moisture out of the wood itself, not just the air above it.

Types of floors we work on

  • Solid hardwood
  • Subfloor and underlay
Hardwood floor drying after water damage in a Toronto home

Wet floors right now?

Call us. We pick up 24/7 and get a crew to you anywhere in the GTA.

647-563-9966

What to expect

How we dry your floors

1

We check how wet they are

Moisture meters tell us exactly how deep the water has gone. We check the surface, the wood itself, and the subfloor underneath. That tells us what we can save and what has to come up.

2

Standing water comes out first

We pull out any standing water with industrial vacuums before anything else. Wet floors sitting in water will not dry no matter what equipment you put on them.

3

Drying mats and air movers go in

We put drying mats directly on the floor surface. These pull moisture out of the wood from the top down. Air movers and a dehumidifier run at the same time to keep the air dry so the moisture has somewhere to go.

4

We check back every day

The equipment comes out when the wood reads dry all the way through, not just on top.

Wet floors usually mean there is water elsewhere too. See our water damage restoration and mould inspection services, or read our guide on what to do when your basement floods.

Common questions about wet floor drying

Can wet hardwood floors be saved?
Often yes, but it depends on how long the water sat and how deep it got. Hardwood that gets dried out within the first 24 to 48 hours has a good chance of being saved. After that, the wood starts to cup and buckle, and the subfloor underneath can get soft. We check the moisture levels when we arrive and give you a straight answer on what we think can be saved.
How long does it take to dry a floor after a flood?
A typical hardwood floor takes 7 to 14 days of active drying with the right equipment. Laminate usually cannot be saved and needs to come up. Engineered wood falls somewhere in between. We pull the equipment when the numbers say it is done, not just when it looks dry.
What happens if the floors do not dry out properly?
The wood warps, the subfloor rots, and mould grows underneath where you cannot see it. By the time you smell it, you have got a much bigger job on your hands. That is why getting the right equipment in early matters. A shop vac and a few fans will not do it.
Does insurance cover wet floor drying?
Most home insurance policies in Ontario cover sudden water damage, which includes wet floors from a burst pipe or appliance leak. Sewer backup coverage depends on your policy. We bill your insurance company directly and walk you through the claim.
What is the difference between hardwood and laminate when they get wet?
Hardwood can be dried in place if you move fast enough. Laminate is made of pressed wood and paper, so it soaks up water fast and swells. Once laminate gets wet it usually has to come up. Engineered hardwood is better than laminate but still more at risk than solid hardwood.

Wet floors?

Call 647-563-9966. We pick up 24/7 and get a crew to you anywhere in the GTA.

647-563-9966 Get a Free Assessment

Available 24/7 • Greater Toronto Area • Bills directly to insurance

Call Now: 647-563-9966