Noticed your beautiful hardwood floor starting to rise, ripple, or look a little “wavy”? Don’t panic — buckled flooring can often be fixed without tearing everything up. Here’s a quick and easy way to repair buckled hardwood flooring and restore your space to smooth perfection.
What Causes Hardwood Floors to Buckle?
Buckling happens when wood absorbs moisture and expands, causing the boards to lift or separate. Common culprits include water leaks, high humidity, or improper installation. The key to fixing buckling is dealing with the moisture — fast!
Step-by-Step: How to Fix a Buckled Wood Floor
- Find the Source of Moisture: Check for plumbing leaks, spills, or poor ventilation. Fix the root cause first to avoid repeat damage.
- Dry the Area Completely: Use a fan, dehumidifier, or even a hair dryer on low to dry out the affected area. This may take 24–48 hours.
- Apply Weight to the Buckled Area: Once dry, place a heavy object (like books or bricks with a board) on the buckled spot. In many cases, the floor will flatten back down naturally.
- Check for Gaps or Loose Boards: If boards are still loose, you can carefully re-glue them using wood flooring adhesive. Be sure to clean excess glue right away.
- Consider Sanding and Refinishing: If the buckling left minor ridges or unevenness, light sanding and refinishing may be enough to make your floor look good as new.
When Should You Call a Professional?
If the damage covers a large area, or the boards are severely warped or cracked, it might be time to bring in a flooring expert. But for small spots, this DIY fix usually does the trick.
Prevent Future Buckling
- Keep indoor humidity between 35–55%
- Wipe up spills quickly
- Use proper underlayment and expansion gaps during installation
- Regularly check for plumbing or HVAC leaks
Repairing buckled hardwood flooring doesn’t have to be a stressful project. With the right tools and a little patience, your floor can go from warped to wonderful in just a few steps!
Looking for Quality Hardwood Flooring?
If you’re planning to replace damaged boards or install new wood flooring altogether, consider Jxz Flooring. We offer a wide selection of durable, moisture-resistant wood floors with expert guidance and fast delivery.
