Is Cork Flooring Waterproof?

Cork is called a natural born technology because of having fascinating properties. Another interesting fact is cork is a natural renewable and recyclable raw material. So, where does this material come from? Well, cork comes from the outer bark of the cork oak tree. Interestingly, that bark of cork oak tree will be extracted manually every nine years after the first harvest. The inside structure looks like a honeycomb containing millions of air-filled cells. 

Actually, the benefits of cork can’t always be seen; instead you can feel it. Its natural insulation properties bring comfort, health performance and sustainability.

One half-inch 12 millimeters of cork floating can cut sound more than 20 decibels compared to other hardwood. That, hopefully, gives you a sound sleep.

Is Cork Flooring Waterproof

Is cork flooring waterproof?

The cork actually is a breathable item. That’s why, if you put this material on the side of the home, it will act a lot like stucco and help to absorb the water and then release it. Cork can resist the invasion of gasses and liquids because of its Suberin properties. Therefore, Cork gains capability to fight against mould and rot which increases the waterproof capability of the cork flooring. 

Don’t take that as easy. For that, you need to manage a scratch coat or a base layer. However, if you install that on the roof you would still have the roofing underneath it because it’s a breathable product. 

But, when you apply the contractors for the floor and do a layer of acrylic over the top of the cork flooring to give it a three-dimensional feel. After that, your cork flooring becomes waterproof along with a great insulator for your home. 

One interesting news is cork comprise suberin which helps your cork flooring fend water. Notwithstanding, suberin can’t retard the water absorption completely. The long time moist environment or unclean spills will cause the floor to gain weight and floor swell.

Is Cork Flooring suitable for a bathroom?

Cork offers some amazing benefits that make it suitable to use in the bathroom. Over the years, cork has been used as a wine cap because of its water resistance capability. The water resistance feature retard the creating damp environment. Therefore, the mold can’t be created on the flooring.

Another interesting feature of cork is relatively softer. That makes the floor easier to walk on and decreases the chances of slip. Obviously, you don’t want a slippery floor. So, it is safe for anyone. 

Investing in cork flooring hopefully safe for a long time because of its durability feature. We found a report that cork floors don’t get any significant damage without fading after 10 years. Don’t worry, you can easily repair that slight damage. Also, the cork flooring can be customized easily. If you see any stain or fade, you can easily cover it up using the right dye. Therefore, your bathroom’s floor looks fresh in a few hours. 

Remember that, if you want to install it in your bathroom or kitchen, you need to add relax and polyurethane (a few coats). Don’t worry, cork therefore will maintain beauty.

One word of caution: Don’t let direct sunlight exposure because it may fade the floor. 

How to dry out moisture underneath cork flooring?

You already know the cork is waterproof and doesn’t absorb water. But, sometimes because of the water dripping on the cork floor, the water may go below the cork flooring. If you don’t take the necessary steps for a long time, the moisture will trap underneath. Depending on the status, you can use various things to dry your cork flooring. 

  • Take a towel

The towel or any absorbable item will help you easily and quickly clean up all the excess liquid. Quickly getting out all the moisture will prevent water-related permanent damage. 

  • Use a fan or blow dryer 

You can use a blow dryer or fan, if it reaches the spot. Alternatively, you can use a table fan.

  • Wet Vacuum

Wet vacuum is a common household item that works well to dry out the cork flooring. While other vacuums help to simply dry out the liquid, using this one you can suck up all the liquid. 

However,using a dehumidifier and fan in that area to dry without removing the floor isn’t very effective, if the water lies on there for a longer period. In that case, you need to remove the floor to get an effective result. Although removing the floor seems complex, you can’t easily keep it moisture and mold free. 

Another interesting fact is glow-down cork tiles offer excellent protection against moisture, water and high humidity. 

What Happens If Cork Flooring Gets Wet?

If you don’t ensure enough protection like properly sealed, then the cork floor will soak water. But, it will depend on the installation process of your cork flooring. Based on the installation, your cork flooring could be wrapped and lifted up. However, the grey-water leak will cause stains on your cork flooring. 

Also, the moisture beneath the cork flooring will loosen the glue that helps the cork floor stick to the ground. Hopefully, you can easily get how dangerous the wet is for cork flooring. 

But, don’t worry we wrap up by telling you a piece of good news. The cork comes with natural antimicrobials which make it capable of resisting mildew and mold formation.

How to spot water-related damage on cork flooring?

Water related damage in the cork flooring can easily be spotted. You will see it wrapped in the flooring. Also, some sections of the floor may be lifted up. Furthermore, there will be noticeable cracks, general disintegration or discoloration on the floor. Let’s see the cause behind those issues. 

  • Warping–  When the moisture or water gets below your cork flooring.
  • Discoloration– When your cork flooring absorbs any kind of liquid. The sign of this problem is mold. 
  • Disintegration– When the water-related damage becomes severe, you will see this sign. If this happens, your cork floor can’t be repaired. 

If you spot any type of damage, you can call a professional to solve.

How to keep your cork flooring safe from water damage?

It isn’t tough to keep your cork flooring safe from water damage. While installing this flooring, you need to make sure the place is moist or humid-free. To do that, don’t use a steam mop or other cleaner which has a heavy amount of moisture.

Remember that, after installing the cork floor, you need to use a polyurethane protector to seal the floor. Therefore, you can keep it safe from damage by water or other liquids.

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FAQs

What are the problems with cork flooring?

Wrap and discolor is the noticeable problem of cork flooring which will cause flooding the room. Also, the high humidity triggers the plump or curl of the cork. Furthermore, if you have a cat or dog, then be careful because those animal’s nail scratches aren’t safe for cork flooring. 

Do cork floors need to be sealed?

Yes, sealing is important for cork flooring. You need to seal it because it keeps your cork floor safe from fading, moisture, scratches, and stains. Also, the sealing prevents the cork floor from dying and keeps the flooring flexible. 

How durable is a cork floor?

Cork flooring capable of resisting abrasions and cracking. If you maintain it properly, you can ensure good status for 40 years or more. 

Final Thought

By now, you get some handful of information on cork flooring. We hope that your query on “is cork flooring waterproof” is cleared. If you have any query related to cork, please visit our previous article or notify us.

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