When To Replace Subfloor From Water Damage?

When to replace subfloor from water damage is essential to understand. Is it when you notice the carpet’s paddings getting too soft for your liking?

🤔 Or is it when you notice an increase in the volume of the squeaking from your floorboards?

No doubt these issues seem challenging to fix, but you may think, “do I need to replace water damaged subfloor?

Or can you fix it without having to replace the entire subfloor?

To avoid needless and costly repairs, it is crucial to know how to assess whether or not the subfloor has been affected by water.   

A number of telltale signs suggest it’s time to replace your subfloor, like cupped floorboards, broken tiles, musty odors, weak spots, squeaks, or loose toilets. 

The Tricky-To-Maintain Subfloor

The solid material that lies beneath your flooring is called a subfloor.

✅ It is fastened to the floor joists and is a foundation for the finished flooring material.

For instance, it mainly depends on the flooring material you choose to install, such as laminate, hardwood, carpet, tile, etc. 

Note: The concrete slab is sometimes the subfloor in a basement, though OSB panels and plywood can be laid on top of the slab using sleepers. 

The Lifespan of a Subfloor

You need to know that the type of material you use will significantly impact how long your subfloor will last.

✅ And, of course, ultimately, it comes down to how much you expose it to moisture.

The subfloor’s useful life may be cut short to 20-30 years if it is subjected to moisture regularly.

Professional equipment can repair water damage to subfloors, but you must quickly act if you see any issues. 

The Nightmare of Damaged Subfloor

Most cases of subfloor damage can be traced back to excessive moisture.

✅ This may be due to an abundance of moisture in the air, a plumbing leak, or an exterior crack.

Knowing when it is time to repair your flooring can help you avoid more significant issues, even though the notion of doing so may give you a sinking feeling.

You do not always need to replace your subfloor, as it can be saved in most cases, especially if you work with a professional.

On other occasions, you only need to remove some damaged sections and replace them with new ones to ensure structural integrity. 

When To Replace Subfloor From Water Damage

Cleaning up a coffee stain on the kitchen floor will not take more than a minute.

✅ But, repairing water damage from a broken pipe or flood might take several days.  

In so many cases, you can save yourself from dealing with the high cost of subfloor replacement if you react quickly.

It all begins in the same way and usually spirals out of control when you do not take action.

If it is not too late, you might need to repair certain sections and replace your subfloor.

Here are some signs indicating there is indeed water damage:

Uneven Subfloor

A squishy area under carpeting or hardwood floors may indicate that the panels beneath have weakened.

You will need to replace the rotten boards immediately. And if you do not, you may have to change the entire subfloor. 

Loud Squeaking

You will notice nails used to hold your subfloor to the joists. Sometimes, they become loose, causing your floor to vibrate and make a squeaking sound.

The nails work in and out of the joists as people walk over the floor, creating that terrible, all-too-familiar creaking sound.

In addition, warping of the material can cause squeaking that can be heard from all corners of the room.

If you notice this issue and there is warping, you might eventually have to replace the subfloor. 

A Musty Smell

A telltale sign of water damage is the presence of a mold or mildew odor, but pinpointing the source can be difficult.

Water damage to the subfloor is usually always the cause of a musty odor in carpets and wood floors and should never be ignored. 

Bubbling Linoleum Floor

Bubbling linoleum is not usually a problem, but it might be if there is moisture under the floor.

If your linoleum floor has bumps and ripples, you should double-check to ensure the problem is not water damage.  

Rocking Toilet Seat

A toilet must sit snugly on the floor. If the flooring beneath your bathroom is not very stable, your toilet may shift. It usually indicates water damage.

Damage to the subfloor in restrooms is typically the consequence of water seeping through cracked or leaking pipes.

The fasteners that keep a toilet in place when the flooring rots away can shift around.

The leaky pipes in your bathroom sink or toilet are usually the source of moisture damage.

Time will only make it worse. Thus, it is crucial to address it as soon as possible.

Tip: Check other parts of your floor beside the bathroom, like areas close to the main door, as it will not fit properly if the subfloor is damaged due to snow or rain. 

Cracked Tile Flooring

The rigidity of tile means that it must be laid on a solid foundation to avoid cracking.

If your tile floor is cracked, it may indicate that the subfloor is not stable enough. 

Cupping Hardwood Floor

When your hardwood floor feels cupped, it is not something you should ignore.

Hardwood floors that are cupping may indicate that you have a high humidity level in your home.

But, at the same time, you should not overrule water damage.

But there is no need to panic; cupping may be fixed with the help of hardwood drying services as long as the moisture problem is resolved at the source.

Tip: When laying tile over these materials, you need to go with a cement backer board between the OSB and the tile. 

Water Damaged Subfloor: React Now or Regret Later

If water damage is swiftly remedied, you do not have to replace the subfloor.

So, how to fix subfloor water damage?

In some cases, you may be able to save all or a significant section of your subfloors by employing remediation procedures, such as quick structural drying.

Subfloors that have been damaged multiple times or where repairs were put off for an extended time usually must be replaced.

The subfloor may be challenging to dry after a flood, which can delay repairs.

Mold and rot spread rapidly through wet wood.

In no time, they can wreak havoc on the structural integrity of the building and the drywall and framework surrounding it.

For situations like this, it is ideal to replace the entire subfloor.

Keep in mind that subflooring is an essential structural component of your home.

If you ignore subfloor damage, it might spread and put your house and family in danger.

Note: Subfloor replacement due to water damage is typically covered by homeowner's insurance, so check it before you make any move. 

How Do You Fix Your Water Damaged Subfloor?

When you notice signs of water damage in your home, it is not something to ignore, and you should react quickly.

Here is what to do:

1. Begin by finding the source of the problem, like any leaky pipes, faucets, etc.
2. Pull back the carpeting and remove baseboards that look affected.
3. Map areas needing repair work with the help of chalk.
4. Wear work gloves and eye protection to cut subflooring with care.
5. Be sure to cut it while staying close to floor joists.
6. Use a pry bar to remove water-damaged subflooring.
7. Remove nails and clean the remaining dust and debris. 

Tip: Using a stud finder is one of the best ways to locate floor joists because it makes your job easy and helps you do it accurately. 

Takeaway

When to replace subfloor from water damage is crucial because it gives you an idea about when to repair it and when to look for an expert to replace it.

The good thing is that, in most cases, you can keep things from worsening.

And it is also possible to replace a smaller subfloor area on your own. But if it seems daunting, hire an expert to get the job done.