Repairing Floor Coverings After A Flood
Subfloor
Water coming up from below will cause most damage to
subfloor material. If a linoleum or vinyl floor covering
is not under water many days, the floor covering may
partially protect the subfloor material. Long submersion,
however, will loosen adhesives and warp subflooring. If a
plywood or hardwood subfloor is wet, you should probably
remove the linoleum or vinyl and replace the subfloor
material.
Removing loosened floor coverings
Some floor coverings may crack or break when you try
to loosen them. Contact a reputable dealer to find out
what solvent will loosen adhesives with minimal damage to
linoleum or vinyl. Heating with a heat lamp or propane
torch may make the covering less brittle. How easily the
covering can be lifted depends on the material and
adhesive. If the adhesive is waterproof, it may be
difficult, if not impossible, to remove the floor covering
without considerable damage.
Tiles
If the floor has not been badly soaked, you may not
need to replace the subfloor. It is possible to re-cement
loosened tiles of any type. Be sure the floor is
thoroughly dry before trying to re-cement.
Blisters may be left in linoleum tiles after warped
wooden flooring has dried. Carefully puncture each blister
with a nail. With a hand syringe (from store, force
diluted linoleum paste through the hole, and weight the
linoleum bricks.
Sheet linoleum or vinyl
Water may have seeped under a loose section of vinyl
or sheet linoleum. Carefully remove the entire sheet.
Allow the floor to dry thoroughly before trying to re-
cement the linoleum. Thorough drying may take as long as
6 weeks or more. Use a new sheet or lining felt before
re-cementing the floor covering.