How To Fix The Leakage Underneath You Wood Flooring?
No matter what type of flooring you have, leaks can be a serious problem. When you decide to install wooden flooring, you must be very careful when fixing a leak, as you may damage the floor irreparably. Read on to learn how to do it the right way. We’ll explain how to remove and reinstall boards. We will also offer several tips on how to avoid similar problems in the future.
Removing the floorboards
In order to access the leak, you must first remove the boards. If you have water flowing in your room, then that is the fastest method. Determine where the leak is coming from and remove the boards. Watch out to cause minimum possible damage. Turn off the water once the leak has been isolated and begin working. In order to repair the floor, the floorboards must be removed.
Remove one board at a time when removing the boards. You should first draw a rectangle along the board’s length and width. This rectangle should be 1.25 cm from the board’s edge. With a circular saw, cut around the rectangle, then remove it from the board. By doing this, you can prize out the edges of the board and gain access to the leak.
Replacing the boards
You must replace the missing boards after removing the boards and repairing the leak. Maybe you have stored several extra boards aside for such emergency situations when you installed the flooring, but if it’s not the case, simply take the board you’ve taken out to a trusted flooring supplier who will help you find the closest match possible.
If you are replacing boards with plane edges, cut the boards to size, then screw them into place. If you have a tongue and groove joint, remove the tongue and fix the board into place. You should always use care when screwing or nailing the new board in place to prevent damage to the plumbing.
Refinishing the floor
After you replace the floorboard, you should finish it properly, so that the board blends in with the rest of the floor. After a while, the board will blend in perfectly without leaving any traces that something was amiss in that particular area.
How to avoid leakage in the future?
Lastly, consider how to prevent similar situations from occurring in the future. When installing new wood flooring, especially in interiors with a high risk of leakages, such as a kitchen or bathroom, remember to leave access points in your floor in places where there is a plumbing installation. You should also ensure that you can shut off the water above the floor. By doing so, you will have extra time should an emergency arise. You can also install an isolation tap above floor level – it will also give you time to remove floorboards without rushing to fix the leak. Last but not least, ensure that your appliances and plumbing are regularly inspected. Random leaks may still happen and aren’t always predictable, but you will minimize the risk of major issues.
