Living in a humid place like Slidell, Louisiana, means that when you have a water leak, the moisture can hang around in ways you can't even see. Your tile floor might look completely dry, but if water got underneath, it could be a big problem.
Tiles may seem tough, but if water finds a way through cracked grout or an unsealed surface, it can soak into the floor underneath. This is a big deal because the surface can look totally fine while the real damage is happening out of sight.
How Water Affects Different Kinds of Tile
Not all tiles are the same when it comes to water. Here's a quick guide:
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Ceramic and Porcelain: These tiles don't soak up much water. But if the grout between them is cracked or not sealed, water can easily penetrate the subfloor.
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Natural Stone: Tiles like travertine or slate are more porous, meaning they have tiny holes that can absorb water. If they weren't sealed correctly, they'll soak up moisture that's really hard to get out.
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Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT): The top of these tiles is good at resisting water, but that doesn't stop water from getting underneath. If they're laid on top of concrete or wood without a proper barrier, moisture can get trapped underneath.
Why Just Using a Fan Isn't Enough
You might think putting a fan on a wet tile floor will fix the problem, but it won't. The water is under the tile, not on top of it. Professionals use special tools to find and fix the issue.
First, they use tools like a hygrometer (to measure moisture in the air) and thermal imaging (a camera that shows heat, which helps them find wet spots). Once they know where the water went, they can use special equipment to dry it out.
Some of these tools include:
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Injectidry systems: These are mat-like systems that force air under the tile without having to tear up your floor.
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Powerful Dehumidifiers: Machines like these pull moisture out of your floor and the air, especially from deep inside the materials.
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HEPA Air Scrubbers: If there's a chance of mold or other germs, these machines clean the air.
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Antimicrobial Sprays: These sprays are used to help stop mold from growing, especially in humid places like Slidell, where mold can start in just a couple of days.
Sometimes, if there's a lot of damage or mold, the tiles have to be removed to dry the subfloor underneath properly.
Don't Skip Drying the Subfloor!
Even if your floor looks okay, moisture trapped underneath can cause huge problems down the road:
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Mold growth between the layers of your floor.
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The glue holding your tiles down can come apart.
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Serious damage to the wood or concrete subfloor, which is a major part of your home's structure.
What to Look For
If your home had a recent leak or flood, keep an eye out for these signs of hidden water under your tile:
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Your floor feels unusually cold in certain spots.
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You see a white, chalky powder (called efflorescence) on the grout or edges of the tile.
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The floor makes a hollow sound when you tap on it.
If you have any of these signs, it's time to call in the experts. For water damage cleanup in Slidell, contact Lightspeed Restoration of Covington. Our team is trained to handle wet tile floors and the crucial subfloor underneath.
Lightspeed Restoration of Covington, LA
(985) 323-6356