Water-Damaged Hardwood Floor — Example of Chicago Home Restoration Project by ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Can Your Water-Damaged Hardwood Floor Be Saved? A Chicago Homeowner’s Guide

Nasutsa Mabwa

June 25, 2025

Water damage can destroy hardwood and engineered floors — but can they be saved? Discover the answer and how ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons can help restore your floors fast.

Why Water Is the Enemy of Hardwood Floors

Hardwood flooring adds timeless beauty and value to any Chicago home. But water — whether from a burst pipe, flood, or slow leak — can severely damage even the most durable wood floors. Even with protective polyurethane coatings, hardwood is not waterproof.

Water seeps into the wood fibers, causing them to expand, warp, and lose structural integrity. The sooner you act, the better your chances of saving your floors.

Signs Your Hardwood Floors Have Water Damage

If water penetrates your hardwood flooring, you may see:

Cupping: Edges of the boards rise higher than the center, forming a U-shape.
Crowning: The center of the board bulges higher than the edges (inverted U-shape).
Buckling: Boards lift entirely from the subfloor — the most severe form of damage.
Cracks or gaps between floorboards.
Mildew or mold growth, often hidden beneath boards.

Can Water-Damaged Hardwood Floors Be Saved?

Yes — in many cases!

Modern drying technology makes it possible to restore water-damaged hardwood floors if action is taken quickly. At ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, we use powerful water extraction equipment, dehumidifiers, and specialized floor drying systems to minimize permanent damage.

Factors that affect whether your floors can be saved include:

How long the water sat before removal
The volume of water involved
The type and finish of your wood
Whether mold or mildew has started to grow

In cases where floors can’t be saved, we can assist with safe removal and refer trusted partners for replacement.

What About Engineered Wood Floors?

Engineered wood is often less forgiving than solid hardwood because of its layered construction. Common water damage includes:

Delamination: The top hardwood layer separates from the core.
Bubbling or warping of the surface layer.
Cracking of the finish.
Discoloration or staining.

Engineered floors that have buckled, delaminated, or discolored typically cannot be restored and need replacement.

How ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons Can Help

We act fast to:

Extract standing water
Deploy drying and dehumidification equipment
Use thermal imaging to locate hidden moisture
Apply antimicrobial treatments to prevent mold
Communicate directly with your insurance company

We aim to return your floors and home to pre-loss condition — quickly, safely, and professionally.

Our Full Range of Services

Water & Flood Damage Restoration (Residential)
Fire & Smoke Damage Restoration (Residential)
Mold Remediation (Residential)
Specialty Cleaning (Residential)
Water Damage Restoration (Commercial)
Fire Damage Restoration (Commercial)
Mold Remediation (Commercial)
Construction & Reconstruction (Commercial)

About ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons

Founded in Chicago in 1929, ServiceMaster is the nation’s oldest restoration company. Locally, ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons brings 40+ years of trusted service to homeowners and businesses across Chicago, Oak Park, River Forest, and the North Shore.

We are:
- IICRC Master Fire & Water Restorers
- MBE/WBE certified
- Part of the ServiceMaster QRV (Quality Restoration Vendor) network
- Award-winning (SB100 Best of Small Business, BBB Torch Award, Stevie® Award)

Call Us Today

If your floors have suffered water damage, don’t wait. Call (773) 376-1110 or contact us online for immediate help.

Nasutsa Mabwa is the CEO and co-owner of ServiceMaster Restoration By Simons, a certified MBE/WBE firm proudly serving Cook, DuPage, and Lake Counties in Illinois. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Chicagoland’s most trusted providers of disaster restoration services, including water and flood damage restoration, fire and smoke damage cleanup, and mold remediation for residential and commercial clients.

A recognized civic and business leader, Nasutsa is a recipient of the 2020 Daily Herald Business Ledger C-Suite Award, a Crain’s Chicago Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a 2018 ServiceMaster® Achiever Award recipient. She currently serves as a Civic Federation Board Member, an Advisory Board Member, and is the Past President of the Executive Committee for the Evanston Chamber of Commerce. She is a proud member of the WPO - Women's President Organization.

Nasutsa holds IICRC certifications in Water Damage Restoration (WRT) and Fire & Smoke Restoration (FSRT), bringing both strategic leadership and technical expertise to every project.

She is also the co-author of RESTORE: A Complete Guide to Protecting Your Home As Your Most Valuable Asset from Water and Fire Disasters — a practical, accessible book for homeowners based on real-world experience in the restoration industry.

Subscribe now for expert tips, rapid-response insights, and restoration guidance delivered straight to your inbox. Whether you’re recovering from fire, water, or mold damage, stay prepared with advice from the trusted pros at ServiceMaster Restoration by Simons.