I recently had some 2 1/4 red oak flooring installed and finished with Bona Traffic about 2+ weeks ago. Bona says the product is 100% cured after 1 week. My problem- this morning I thought I heard the first ornament fall off the christmas tree and break on the new floor. Instead, I came down downstairs (about an hour later) to see the entire tree fell down. This is a live tree and the stand hold about 3- 3.5 (less then a gallon quarts of water. There was still a majority of the water on top of the floor (soaked up a shower towel pretty well). Tonight I noticed 2 areas that had the puddles are slightly raised to the adjacent board. I assume this is from increased moisture content expanding the previously dry board- not buckling, staining or hazing of the finish. Again not that much water volume. Needless to say I spent good money so I want to do what is best. Should I purchase a dehumidifier to attempt to pull the access moisture or is that a waste since I soaked up most of the water and it was only 3ish quarts? I reside in Northeast PA so not a high humidity level this time of year. I am hoping this sounds minor and that the boards will dry and relax back to the previous state. Any suggestions to help my heart ache would be appreciated.

Steve

The best way for it to dry out is slow and naturally, in your regular living environment. You did all you can do by sopping up the surface water.The boards should relax upon drying. Just hard to say how long it will take and to what state. Keep my fingers crossed, I've seen them dry near perfect. Just a warning... It may get a little worse first before it starts looking better.

Thank you for the reply...I hope it comes back to normal. The affected areas are only slightly raised- you can only can tell if you slide your finer nail across boards. So I will take your suggestion and use the hardest remedy- patience
Happy Holidays!

Think of wood as little tubes that intertwine.
Those tubes swell as they absorb moisture.

They absorb moisture rather quickly, but take time to lose the moisture.
A small ceramic heater, can help speed up the drying, without a big shock to the wood, causing it to crack.