Etobicoke Flooring Repair: How To Tell Your Tiles Are Water Damaged

There are so many materials that are responsible for making first impressions when you enter a home. For instance, furniture and wall colour can speak to style and mood. However, no other material is as essential to impressions and structural support as flooring. If you talk to flooring services in Etobicoke, they can explain the importance and necessity of flooring.

What many people do not realize is that flooring is not a single layer. Flooring has the decorative or finish layer and the underlayment or plywood subfloor. When water damage occurs in a home, it is usually the subfloor that is most affected, which can result in damage to the finished or top layer.

Still, water damage is not always obvious, which means it is necessary to learn its signs. The sooner you can respond to or mitigate water damage, the better it will be for your finishing materials. There are at least three signs of water damage under tile floors.

1. Hollow Sound

One of the first things you might notice when the subfloor experiences water damage is a hollow sound as you walk across the room. The hollow sound results from warping and the creation of voids or separations between the tile and the subfloor.

The surface becomes soft and pliable as the water settles and soaks into the subfloor. The change in texture can cause certain glues to release. More likely, the water will cause swelling and bending in the subfloor, which will also create voids, resulting in hollow sounds.

The development of voids or warps in the subfloor is not the end of the world. A professional can come in and cut out the bad areas, level off the floor, and replace any necessary tiles.

2. Loose Tiles

The same warping that causes voids between the subflooring and the finish layer can cause a complete separation. You might find that some tiles in the water-damaged area are loose. The tile might remain in place because of the grout, but soon all will fail.

The best solution to a loose tile is the replacement or regluing of the tiles. However, do not reglue or reset tiles to an existing damaged floor. You need to ensure that the subflooring is fixed and that the water issues are resolved.

To ensure that everything is fixed, you must contact a handyman or flooring and plumbing specialists. The professionals will first review the water problem before fixing any furniture and flooring issues.

3. Staining

Sometimes, the water issue will cause damage to the surface of the tile. For instance, if pooling is significant, it is possible for the water to seep through the grout and stain the tiles. It is also possible for water dripping from a ceiling to stain flooring if it is not attended to right away.

If you notice staining on your flooring, you should call on a professional sooner rather than later. It would be best if you determine what is causing the leak. If you do not resolve the matter quickly, you risk the structural integrity of your home, not just your flooring.

You can often follow the staining to determine the cause of the leak. For instance, staining might become more prominent near the source of the leek.

Have you noticed significant or minor staining in your home? Does it appear that the water leak stems from the kitchen sink? If so, check out Handyman Connection to find professionals for kitchen renovations. The business has a listing of the top-rated handyman in the area along with a list of their specialties for your convenience. Every professional working with Handyman Connection has been thoroughly vetted, ensuring consumers can trust the provided lists.