- Stop the water, then take photos before you move anything.
- Call your insurer early. Many want their restoration company to dry things first.
- Laminate that swelled won't go back. Vinyl often can be lifted, dried and relaid.
- The real worry is the subfloor and mould, not just the planks.
The first 48 hours
- Shut off the water and the power to wet areas if it's safe.
- Photos and video of everything: the source, the floor, baseboards, the ceiling below.
- Mop up standing water. Fans and a dehumidifier help.
- Call your insurer (and strata, if you're in a condo) before tearing anything out.
- Don't throw away damaged material until the adjuster says so.
How each floor reacts
| Floor | Usually |
|---|---|
| Laminate | Edges swell within hours to days. Swollen planks get replaced |
| Rigid vinyl (SPC) | Planks are fine. Lift, dry the subfloor, relay if the locks are undamaged |
| Solid hardwood | Cups as it absorbs water. Sometimes flattens after slow drying |
| Engineered hardwood | Can cup or delaminate. Depends how long it sat wet |
| Carpet | Pad usually replaced. Carpet sometimes saved if dried quickly with clean water |
| Tile | Tile is fine. Check grout, and what's under it |
Matching the old floor
Insurance often pays to repair "like kind and quality." If your floor is discontinued, matching a patch can be impossible. That's why it's worth keeping a box of spare planks after any install, and knowing your product name and lot number.
Not sure what you've got? Send us photos of the floor and the damage. We'll tell you what we see.
Common questions
Can laminate flooring be saved after water damage?
Usually not once the edges have swollen. The fibreboard core doesn't shrink back, so the affected planks are replaced.
Can vinyl plank be reused after a leak?
Often yes. Rigid vinyl planks aren't damaged by water, so they can be lifted, the subfloor dried, and the planks relaid if the locking edges are intact.
Will hardwood floors go back to normal after water damage?
Mild cupping sometimes flattens as the wood dries slowly. Severe cupping, crowning after drying, or black staining usually means repair or replacement.
Who's writing this: Rose and Thorn Flooring is a flooring company in Surrey, BC. We install floors for a living, so yes, we'd love to do yours. But nobody pays us to say nice things about a product, and we don't earn commission from any brand. If something here is wrong or out of date, text us at 604-716-4160 and we'll fix it.