Guide to Waterproofing Your Wooden Floor

You are an owner of a wooden floor, so you already know that wood flooring and moisture and water do not run in the same social circle and are not best friends. They are more like enemies, to be honest. Excessive moisture and water could have a pretty serious and negative impact on the condition and appearance of a wooden floor and things can get as worse as your floor being affected so much to the extent of beyond repair. The only thing left you will have then would be replacing the whole floor.

However, you don’t want to deal with such situations. You would prefer to take the needed precautions to make sure your floor won’t get damaged by water and moisture. And here is where waterproofing the floor comes into play. Have you heard of wood floor waterproofing? If you are considering it for your favourite wooden floor, there are a few other things you need to consider first. First of all, when thinking of waterproofing the floor, make sure you understand what will be achieved by this professional method and consider if you actually want to waterproof the floor or you just want to make sure your floor is more water-resistant because these are two different things and require a different approach. Next, once you decide what you need for your wooden floor, you need to also decide how you will do it.

As we have already mentioned, a waterproof wooden floor and a water-resistant one are two different things. You achieve them using two different approaches and each of these options can be achieved through different methods. If your floor is already treated with a high-quality finish, you can expect it to have a level of water resistance already as this is part of the protective power of the finish. If you are choosing a wood floor finish solely based on the fact you want your floor to be as resistant to water as possible, make sure you choose a varnish or a lacquer since oil finishes do not provide the same high level of water resistance and protection from liquids, spills, splashes. However, waterproofing your floor is something different and it is not achieved by applying varnish or a lacquer only. It takes a lot more to achieve it, therefore, it is recommended to consider if you need it before you start.

First of all, let us start by saying that there are many different products offered on the market that are dedicated to waterproofing a wooden floor. Once you dive deeper into that, you will find out that different products can offer different results. To choose the right one, you want to consider a lot of factors, including the result you are going for, what you are expecting from the process and waterproofing the floor in general. Clearing these out initially will help you choose the right waterproofing product.

Most commonly, domestic floors do not require heavy-duty waterproofing. Ensuring a few wet footsteps when you are walking from the bathtub to your towel railing won’t damage the floor or the moisture coming from underneath your shoes won’t make the floorboards warp and the balloon can be achieved by utilizing the simpler and easier method of wood floor waterproofing. Here is how you can do it as a DIY project:

Preparation

As it is with every other process dedicated to treating the floor in some shape or form, preparation is a very important initial step for ensuring flawless results. In the case of waterproofing the floor, you want to start by cleaning the room and then cleaning the floor thoroughly. You don’t want any dust and dirt buildup left on the surface of the floor since this will cause uneven surface and poorly looking flooring once you are done with waterproofing. Next, you also want to make sure that your floor is already in good condition and if some issues require repair, make sure to have them repaired by a professional or do it yourself. Once the surface of the floor is as good as it can be and clean, you can continue with the next step.

Sanding

Thorough sanding which is professionally done can ensure great results of waterproofing. Therefore, it is crucial to pay a lot of attention to this step of the process. When sanding the floor, to achieve perfect results of sanding and an even and smooth surface, make sure to always start with a coarser grade of sandpaper and finish things up with the finer grades. In addition, always start sanding the floor from the edges of the floor, slowly making your way to the centre of the room and then to the door of the room. Once you are done sanding the floor, the surface has to be thoroughly cleaned and vacuumed once again.

Waterproofing

Now, after the floor is perfectly sanded, you can continue with the application of the waterproofing product of your choice. Every waterproofing product comes with detailed manufacturer’s instructions and you are highly recommended to follow them at all times. Despite the fact, that there are different waterproofing products, the majority of them would be applied in a pretty similar manner. In general, you need to apply three layers of waterproofing product which can be waterproofing polyurethane or resin.

Remember, it is extremely important to make sure every layer is absolutely dry before you apply the next one. Make sure to allow enough time for every layer to cure. While you are waiting for each coat to dry, make sure to inspect the floor and how the product is performing. In case you notice some bubbles, wrinkles or other imperfections, make sure to sand them once the coat is dry. This will help you achieve a perfectly flawless surface at the end. The best tool for applying a waterproofing product to your floor is a natural fabric mop that will ensure great and even coverage. For even better and smoother results, you can apply the last coat with a brush.

Additional Tips

The best time you can choose for applying the waterproofing product to the surface of the floor is a warm and dry day, as this will help the product to cure and dry faster and evenly. Whenever you are applying the product, make sure to always start from the corner of the room that is the most far away from the entry door of the room and move your way towards the door, otherwise, you may find yourself trapped in the middle of the room or a corner, ending up walking across the room and destroying what you have done already.

Bottom Line Note

No matter how good the quality of the waterproofing product you have chosen for your floor is, do not forget that water can still damage your floor if left neglected. Therefore, you still want to remove spills and splashes as soon as you notice them on the surface of the floor and you still want to prevent leaks at any cost. Regardless of how precisely you have applied the product and how perfect the results are, water and other liquids can still cause some issues, therefore, you don’t want to neglect them, so don’t take the risk.