Water damage to hardwood sport and dance floors can be a costly nightmare for facility owners. A recent guide by Dr. Paul W. Elliott, PhD, PE, President of ASET Services, provides comprehensive insights into proper remediation approaches. Having worked in sport surface design, manufacturing, research, and testing for over 30 years, Dr. Elliott shares valuable expertise on how to handle these challenging situations effectively.

Understanding Water Damage Categories

The guide identifies four main types of water damage that facilities might encounter:

1. Cosmetic Damage: Changes in appearance only, such as discoloration or reversible cupping of flooring strips
2. Structural Damage: Compromised structural integrity, including delamination of plywood layers or loosened fasteners
3. Performance Damage: Alterations to the floor’s safety and comfort characteristics
4. Mold Development: Potential growth of mold colonies due to prolonged moisture exposure

The True Cost of Poor Remediation

The guide was inspired by a real case where over $80,000 was spent on ineffective remediation efforts. Even after this significant expense, large sections of the floor still required replacement, and the entire surface needed resanding, painting, and finishing. This wasteful outcome occurred primarily because the parties involved didn’t understand the unique characteristics of sport and dance surfaces.

Key Steps in Water Damage Remediation

ASET Services outlines a systematic approach to handling water damage:

1. Immediate Response: Identify and stop the water source, then remove standing surface water carefully
2. Professional Assessment: Obtain both informal (from experienced contractors) and formal (third-party) assessments early in the process
3. Moisture Detection: Thoroughly identify remaining water using appropriate testing methods for different system components
4. Water Removal: Implement proper techniques to remove additional water without causing further damage
5. Damage Evaluation: Assess the extent of damage, including structural integrity, mold presence, and performance characteristics
6. Repair Planning: Define the scope of repairs based on damage severity and restoration goals
7. Environmental Control: Ensure all moisture levels meet manufacturer specifications before repairs begin
8. Validation: Verify that repairs have restored the floor’s intended performance characteristics

Important Considerations

The guide emphasizes several critical points that facility managers should keep in mind:

• Sport and dance floors are more than just aesthetic elements; they’re performance surfaces that affect user safety and comfort
• Quick, but informed action is essential – waiting too long can lead to more severe damage
• Not all remediation companies understand the unique requirements of sport/dance surfaces
• Proper moisture testing and control are crucial before any repairs begin
• Performance validation may be necessary, especially for professional or competitive venues

Original guide authored by Paul W. Elliott, PhD, PE, owner and President of ASET Services, Inc. (2025). This blog post is a summary of the comprehensive guide “A Guide to Water Damage Repair of Hardwood Sport/Dance Systems.“