Restoration company recommending replacement due to water but we want to save our hardwood floor.

[CindyB5977]

There was a leak in our condo discovered within 8 hours of when it occurred. It was clean water and affected a small portion of our Brazilian oak hardwood flooring. A restoration company has been on the scene for a month and recommends replacement of the entire condo hardwood flooring because, they say, it is not drying. The company that made the flooring is out of business and there is no way to match the flooring. There is no buckling, swelling and it looks just like the rest of the wood that was not damaged. They say it's not drying well due to the repellent nature of the finish. We love our floor and want to save it. They say the moisture reading is still 90% after a month of professional drying. We could understand if everything was totally submerged for a long time but this was just some overflow from the bathroom into part of a bedroom and part of the living room that was discovered relatively quickly. They want us to sign a contract to replace all the hardwood flooring. We do not know what to do and are feeling pressured. We know next to nothing about flooring restoration and any advice would be appreciated. Should we tell them to keep on drying? Does it sound reasonable that the moisture level could still be 90% after a month of drying? Should we call someone else for a second opinion and if so, is there anyone else who can give that advice besides a restoration company? Thanks, in advance, for any advice!

 

[Ernesto]

Those guys are thieves, don't do it unless it buckles. Do they have drying matts down with dehumidifiers hooked up to them?

 

[CindyB5977]

They had dehumidifiers and now it is tented.

 

[Floorist]

Won't tenting just slow drying time?

 

[CindyB5977]

I confess I plead ignorance but your comment makes sense. That is why I have come to this forum. I need expert advice and opinions. I just don't know if they are doing what they should and we are being told the truth. As I said before, we want to save the floor. They are saying it's not making progress drying and will need to be replaced. We are not there but family members are in the same building. Am headed there this week. I have been reading a lot of bad things about this particular company on a consumer site, which is concerning.

 

[Dan]

Ninety percent? I don't believe them. Keep in mind the moisture content numbers are derived as a percentage of the weight of the wood. If a board were 90% moisture content, then it was dried to 0% moisture content it would have lost 90% of it's original weight.

I would believe nine percent if there is no cupping or buckling. Nineteen percent? The floor would be buckled.

 

[Floorist]

I confess I plead ignorance but your comment makes sense. That is why I have come to this forum. I need expert advice and opinions. I just don't know if they are doing what they should and we are being told the truth. As I said before, we want to save the floor. They are saying it's not making progress drying and will need to be replaced. We are not there but family members are in the same building. Am headed there this week. I have been reading a lot of bad things about this particular company on a consumer site, which is concerning.

You can buy your own moisture meter or find an independent to test the floors. Then you will know if they are lying. Personally, I think they are lying big time. They want the job of the floor replacement.

 

[Ernesto]

I would want to see a moisture meter reading using a professional grade meter set to the correct species. Call up a local hardwood guy that has a decent noninvasive meter (without pins) and see if he will come check it for you. It would be well worth any money spent. Or even a local hardwood inspector. Those dehumidifiers are costing a bundle.

 

[Billbill]

I just read the whole thread here. So what did u end up doing? Floors ever start to buckle up? If not then u know they were full of crap!