As many Houstonians are getting back into their homes that have had water damage (tragically, some won't be able to go back for weeks due to the flooding from area reservoirs and bayous), I wanted to share some tips today from some local flooring professionals that might help in dealing with water damaged floors.

Wood Flooring

Roberts Carpets in conjunction with Dazzling Decor Houston, have these first-step tips for wood floors.

Before one can shop for new flooring, here is some advice from our experts:

1. Remove old wood floors

2. If you hire a professional, they will help take moisture out of the floor and remove the old flooring.

3. If you do it yourself, trash pick up will take damaged product if it is cut into 4 foot strips.

4. Installing new floors is the last thing one must do; replace drywall and baseboards first, if necessary.

5. Concrete floors in houses are porous; they absorb water. They may not look wet but they often are. They will need to dry out before installing new wood product.

They'll be sharing more tips on their Facebook page, link is HERE.

Natural Stone Flooring

Many people have travertine flooring in this area. I asked MCA Systems about how to deal with this natural stone product if you've had flooding.

Travertine and other natural stone will not need to be ripped out. All natural stones are somewhat porous as they come from nature and they allow for the concrete slab beneath to breath.

...... We recommend removing the excess water and allowing the floor to dry naturally with the help of some fans. We would suggest applying a neutral disinfectant, keeping it moist for 5 to 10 minutes and then mop up any excess.

MCA Systems offers a cleaning service, available now, that does a high pressure steam clean that also disinfects and drys the stone and the grout.

Once the stone is clean and dry, apply a good, known brand sealer.

If the floor is polished, there might be some re-polishing that might be needed if the sandy water and muddy boots could have scratched it.

MCA Systems offers complete stone restoration and their cleaning service is available now for Hurricane Harvey clean up. 832-797-5189

Cleaning in process - natural stone floors

After steam cleaning and disinfection of natural stone flooring

Rugs

Lisa Slappey and Medhi Abedi of Postmodern Traditions and Pride of Persia Rug Co. in Houston, have these recommendations for your area rugs.

Don't panic and don't dispose of your rugs before consulting with a rug expert. In many cases, good handmade rugs (and some good machine-made pieces) are restorable following flooding, even if they have been submerged for days.

Call a professional rug cleaner to pick up your rugs as soon as possible. This is not a job for a general restoration company or steam cleaner, nor is it something you can do on your own. Professionals can write insurance reports if necessary. If your home is still inaccessible, at least get on the waiting list for pick-up once the water recedes.

While rugs are in place, photograph them as insurance documentation.

Unless they are too heavy, move your rugs out of the water or outside to dry once the rain stops. Looting is an issue. Try to place your rugs where they are unlikely to draw attention.

Expect to pay for pick-up and delivery along with pad replacement. The rugs will most likely be ready before your home is restored. Storage fees may accrue. Insurance should cover all of these expenses.

Finally, beware of questionable solicitations. Work through referrals from trusted friends.

Postmodern Traditions and Pride of Persia offer expert rug cleaning services and are available for your rug cleaning, restoration, and appraisal needs after this storm.

Pin this image if you found this article helpful. Thank you! :-)

Update below: 9/5/17

Water Damaged Furniture

I have picked up some info via my social channels about dealing with furniture that has been flood damaged. This info is from some of the pros I know.

One of my upholsterers (he only works to the trade) David Longwood of Designers Furniture Manufacturing, says that you can keep the frames of your upholstered furniture. You can strip everything off, all fabric, cushions, stuffing, etc., then wash the wood with a clorox disinfectant, let dry completely, and reupholster.

Merri Pruitt of Pruitt-Littleton Studio, decorative painters and finishers, say you can let wood furniture dry, many times it will shrink back even if being immersed in water, clean with a solution of bleach and hydrogen peroxide, then you can paint and refinish. Here's her comment on her Instagram page.

need more posts on flooring?

I have a compilation of all my blogposts on flooring, with links to the posts and commentary, in a $15 downloadable pdf. Click through for more info.