Navigating Hardwood Floors and Insurance

Discover the essential answers to common questions about hardwood floors and insurance coverage. From maintenance concerns to safeguarding your investment, this article provides expert insights for homeowners having to go through the unfortunate process of insurance to fix damage to their hardwood floors.

1. I’ve had a flood and my insurance company wants me to get a quote. Can you come and give us a quote?

Absolutely we can come and give you a quote! It doesn’t matter if you have a solid timber floor, engineered timber floor or laminate, we can give you advice and recommendations on what work needs to be done, and if something is outside of our scope of works, then we will let you know and you can go back to your Insurer.

2. My fridge/dishwasher has been leaking but my insurance company says I can’t put in an insurance claim. Why?

Unfortunately, most leaks have been around for a while, which means that it isn’t an “event”. Most insurance companies don’t cover gradual damage.

3. We had a party over the weekend and someone was wearing stilettos on my wooden floor and has left dents all over it – can we fix it?

There is nothing worse than waking up the “morning after” and discovering a peppering of high heel marks in your floor. There is no easy or “quick” fix for this. We would normally have to do a full re-sand and coat for solid timber and/or engineered timber flooring (depending on colour and finish) and it is normally a full replacement for a laminate floor.

4. Why do I need to move out of my house while the floor is being sanded and coated?

We do multiple coats of polyurethane when we are coating a floor and there is drying time between each coat. Every time a door is opened, it creates airflow which disturbs all the tiny dust particles that are in every home. This then settles in the coating which can be seen. Some dust “walks out” over time, but if there is a lot we can end up having to redo the coating which is frustrating for everyone.

Moving out also minimises the risk of “someone” walking across the floor between coats because it seems to be dry. This can cause “Ghosting” and footprints can appear months down the track in the coating. This means a full re-sand and coat as there is no other way to get rid of it.

5. Why does my floor have to be replaced? Surely it can just be re-sanded and coated?

It really depends on the level of damage that has occurred. With solid timber flooring and engineered timber flooring, if the water has been cleaned up promptly, and drying equipment used to dry the area out, sometimes the floor can be saved. Most times however, replacement of the affected areas is required and often results in a full re-sand and coat being done for solid timber and engineered timber flooring.

6. Why do I have to have a different product – I want what I had!!!

Unfortunately, some timbers that were readily available 20 odd years ago are quite simply impossible to get hold of today. The halt on the felling of our Native timbers has made it very difficult, and in the case of some timbers – they are no longer available. This is the same for most of the rainforest timbers that came out of highly controversial countries with permits now required to ship and receive these timbers. Also, laminate and prefinished engineered timber flooring product ranges change and evolve with new colour ranges being released frequently.

Summary

Unforeseen damage to your hardwood floors can be a frustrating experience. When the unexpected happens, trust the Just Hardwood Floors team to handle your insurance job with expertise. Our track record includes assisting numerous individuals in repairing or replacing their hardwood floors through insurance claims. Contact us today – we’re here to restore both your floors and peace of mind.