How to Locate a Leak and Repair a Buckled Wood Floor

Step-by-Step Guide

1. 1

   Step 1: Go to the area where the floors is buckled

   Determine if the floor is built on a concrete slab or built off grade, on wood joists with sub flooring.
   
   Each condition will require different approaches to repair, and this article will attempt to deal primarily with wood floors installed on a concrete slab.
2. 2

   Step 2: and observe the conditions there.

   The most likely source of the leak is the plumbing located in the wall adjacent to the damaged floor.
   
   By observing how close to the nearest wall the damage is, this may be ruled out or confirmed immediately.
   
   Look for walls which you know have plumbing pipes located in them, such as bathroom, kitchen, and utility (washer/dryer) rooms.
   
   Look for a return air register for the HVAC (air conditioning system) and if there is one nearby, remove the air filter and see if there is water present in the return air plenum.
   
   If this is the case, go to step
   5. , Also, look behind the water closet (toilet) for dripping valves and signs the bowl has overflowed.
   
   Look at the toilet tank and see if there is condensation on it.
   
   During the winter, after the toilet is flushed, cold water refilling the tank can even cause condensation to occur on the tank and drip, but it is unlikely enough would find its way to the problem area to cause the floor to buckle unless the toilet is flushed very frequently.
   
   If you have a dishwasher, you may have to remove the screws under the front edge of the cabinet above the door and slide it out to inspect the area behind it. , Often it is simply a valve or coupling which can be tightened with an adjustable wrench.
   
   The wall stops (valves) located on the supply tubing to sinks and commodes are less likely to leak if they are turned on completely.
   
   Clothes washers can have leaks in the pump, tub, and flexible water supply hoses, so it might help to pull the washing machine out away from the wall and look there, as well. , Using a wet/dry vacuum and a soft brush, you can try to clean the inside of the evaporator coils, but this is a difficult job and it is normally not easy to get to it.
   
   Here, calling a plumber or HVAC technician may be your best bet. , Often, wood floors that are bulged will dry out and return to their normal condition on their own, especially laminated floors or parquets which have not been exposed to moisture too long.
   
   Simply towel up or vacuum out all the water you can, and allow to dry.
   
   Placing a fan or space heater near the wet spot will speed the process.
   
   If the floor is discolored or permanently buckled, you will have to pry up the area beyond the damage and go to a home center to find a matching product to replace it.
   
   Tongue and groove solid wood flooring will have to be cut with a saw and chisel, and this requires considerable skill and proper tools, so again, consider calling a professional for this.
3. 3

   Step 3: There are several likely sources of the water leak

4. 4

   Step 4: and until this has been located and corrected

5. 5

   Step 5: repairing the floor will not give good long lasting results.

6. 6

   Step 6: If your problem area is adjacent to a bathroom or kitchen wall

7. 7

   Step 7: open the cabinets under the kitchen sink and bathroom vanity and look for water dripping.

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   Step 8: Hopefully

9. 9

   Step 9: the preceding search has found the source of the leak

10. 10

    Step 10: and you will be able to handle the repair.

11. 11

    Step 11: If you have found water in the space in the wall behind your air conditioner air filter

12. 12

    Step 12: the evaporator coils may be dirty or the condensation drain pipe may be clogged

13. 13

    Step 13: causing the drip pan to overflow.

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    Step 14: Finally

15. 15

    Step 15: we reached the point where we may be able to address the original question.

Detailed Guide

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