Quick Answer
Water damage to hardwood floors — from leaks, floods, dishwashers or refrigerators — requires prompt drying, subfloor assessment, board replacement and refinishing to prevent long-term mold and structural damage.
- Licensed MHIC #141267
- Fully Insured & Bonded
- 15+ Years Experience
- Family-Owned
- HEPA Dustless Sanding
- Premium Bona & Loba Finishes
- Written Scope & Timeline
- 15% Veteran Labor Discount
Time is everything with water damage. Within 24 hours we can dry the affected area, assess subfloor damage and prevent the mold and buckling that make later repairs 3–5x more expensive.
We coordinate with insurance adjusters and mitigation companies across the DMV, document damage professionally and handle the full scope from tear-out through refinishing.
Key Takeaways
- Speed of response determines cost
- Address the source before rebuilding — otherwise you'll do it twice
- Insurance often covers the full scope with proper documentation
Problems We're Called In to Solve
Cupping from below (crawlspace moisture)
Vapor barrier and encapsulation upstream of the floor repair.
Dishwasher slow leak
Often more damage than initially visible — we probe the full affected zone.
The CDS Process
1. Emergency response
Dry, dehumidify and stabilize the affected area.
2. Moisture mapping
Identify the full extent of water intrusion — often larger than visible.
3. Selective tear-out
Remove unsalvageable boards, dry the subfloor.
4. Rebuild
Board replacement, subfloor repair, refinish.
Ready to talk about your project?
Material, Stain & Finish Options
- • Commercial dehumidifiers and air movers
- • Moisture meters (pin and pinless)
- • Species-matched replacement lumber
Why Homeowners Choose CDS
CDS Hardwood Floors is a family-owned, Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded, based in Gaithersburg with 15+ years of hands-on work in Montgomery County homes. Our crews have finished landmark commercial work — including DAR Constitution Hall in Washington, DC — alongside thousands of residential projects. Veterans receive 15% off labor.
- Same-day response for emergencies when possible
- Insurance coordination and detailed scope documentation
What Affects the Investment
Every home is different, so pricing is set after we see the floors. These are the factors we weigh in your written proposal:
- • Extent of affected area
- • Subfloor damage
- • Insurance coverage
Project Case Studies
Caring for the Result
- • Install water alarms under sinks, dishwashers and refrigerators
- • Inspect supply lines every few years
Warranty & Guarantee
All CDS craftsmanship is backed by our workmanship guarantee. Manufacturer finish warranties are transferred to you in full.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can water-damaged hardwood be saved?
Often, yes. If the boards have cupped but not delaminated or rotted, drying the floor and subfloor to a stable moisture content and then sanding flat usually restores it. Boards that have crowned, buckled or blackened get replaced.
Why do you wait before sanding a wet floor?
Cupped boards flatten as they dry. Sanding while the floor is still wet removes wood from the raised edges, and when it dries you are left with permanently crowned boards. We monitor moisture readings until they stabilize.
Do you check the subfloor as well as the planks?
Always. Moisture testing covers the subfloor, because a saturated subfloor will re-damage new flooring installed above it.
How long does water damage hardwood repair take in a typical home?
Most residential projects are completed within 3–7 working days, depending on square footage, drying times and any repairs required. We provide a firm timeline in your written estimate.
Do I need to move out during water damage hardwood repair?
In most cases, no. Our dustless equipment keeps the home habitable, though we recommend staying off finished areas for 24–72 hours to let the finish cure.
Can I schedule a consultation?
Yes. Every water damage hardwood repair project starts with an on-site consultation and a detailed written quote, usually delivered within 24 hours.
Are you licensed and insured?
Yes. CDS Hardwood Floors is a Maryland-licensed contractor (MHIC #141267), fully insured and bonded for your protection.
Written by
Daniel Santos
Owner, CDS Hardwood Floors
Daniel Santos is the owner of CDS Hardwood Floors and has spent 15+ years sanding, staining and installing hardwood in Maryland, Virginia and Washington DC homes. He personally walks most projects, specializes in HEPA-contained dustless sanding, premium water-based finish systems and custom installations, and believes homeowners make better decisions when the process is explained plainly before a single board is touched.
Read More From Our Team
Hardwood Floor Water Damage: Repair Guide
How to assess, dry and repair water-damaged hardwood — and when board replacement or full refinishing is the smarter path.
Hardwood Floors and Maryland Humidity: What Homeowners Need to Know
Cupping, gapping and warping — how to keep your floors flat year-round in a swampy climate.
Related Services
Where We Work
CDS Hardwood Floors is based at 21008 Golf Estates Dr, Gaithersburg, MD 20882. Our primary service market is Montgomery County and the surrounding Maryland communities:
- Gaithersburg, MD
- Rockville, MD
- Potomac, MD
- North Potomac, MD
- Bethesda, MD
- North Bethesda, MD
- Germantown, MD
- Clarksburg, MD
- Olney, MD
- Damascus, MD
- Frederick, MD
- Montgomery County, MD
We also serve extended markets in Northern Virginia, Washington DC, nearby West Virginia and Pennsylvania. See all service areas.
Book Your Consultation
Tell us about your floors and we'll walk the space with you, talk through options and send a written proposal.