House floods are common phenomena and can be caused by many things ranging from broken pipes, leaky water heaters, clogged rain gutters, malfunctioning appliances, etc. Whatever the cause, home floods can be pretty destructive, especially when left unattended. One prevalent type of damage is often visible on wooden furniture. The good thing is that water damage on furniture is often not as severe as it may appear and can be restored with the proper techniques. It’s always prudent to contact professionals (Visit Website) for expert help with the repair and restoration, more so for extensive damages that include wooden furniture, floorboards, and other parts within your home.
If your home or business premise has been hit by water damage lately, it’s advisable not to procrastinate on scheduling a furniture restoration process. Water damage on your wood furniture can worsen in a few days. Not only will water stain your wood furniture, but it can also lead to the growth of toxic mold and mildew. Restorative care involves various steps depending on the extent of the damage, including removing the mold and mildew, drying the furniture, treating the stains, and applying multiple applicable fixes. Read on to learn common ways you can employ to fix your water-damaged furniture successfully.
Step 1: Cleaning the Damaged furniture
The first step to successfully repairing your water-damaged furniture is by giving it a thorough cleaning job. Take the furniture outside and inspect it for mold and mildew presence before the cleaning (ensure to protect your hands with disposable plastic gloves). Mix the right amount of bleach and a mild dishwashing detergent in a bucket of warm water (preferably 2 caps each). Scrub the furniture thoroughly with a scrub brush, focusing more on visible mold and mildew areas. If necessary, rinse and repeat the process until satisfied with the results and let the furniture air dry.
Step 2: Stain Removal
To remove water stains, it’s best to use a wood furniture cleaner (you can add a few drops of orange oil to boost efficiency). Use a cotton cloth to apply the solution evenly and repeatedly to the stains until they’re gone. If the stains are too deep and this method doesn’t work, sanding and stripping will do.
Step 3: Sanding and Stripping
Before starting on the sanding and stripping, ensure to protect yourself from inhaling the dust with a dust mask. It’s advisable to use both a belt sander and a finishing sander for the best results. Start by sanding the water-damaged areas, followed by the entire surface (for consistency) in the direction of the grain with a belt sander (220-grit sandpaper). Remove the dust with a clean paintbrush when through. You can then apply the chemical stripping agent evenly on the furniture and wait for it to oxidize. Scrap the surface carefully with a putty knife and smoothen the surface with a finishing sander (100 to 150-grit sandpaper).
Step 4: Fixing Loose Joints
Identify loose or damaged joints and remove old glue by sanding with 150-grit sandpaper. Ensure to remove resultant wood dust after sanding with a clean paintbrush. Re-attach the joints back with wood glue and leave them to dry overnight.
Step 5: Priming and Painting
Choose a primer that matches your paint color, white for light color paint and vice versa for darker paint. Spray uniformly around the furniture to avoid drips. You can sand lightly if the final coat of primer is a little coarse. Apply the paint smoothly with a high-quality paint brush for the best outcome.
Step 6: Sealing
Sealing is an effective way to protect wooden furniture and ensure water absorption is deterred in the future. It’s not only effective in repelling water and mildew but also shields your wooden furniture from the sun. Some of the best wood sealants you can choose from include polyurethane, varnish, and lacquer. For excellent waterproofing results, you can try out marine-based polyurethane, usually used for coating boats. The wood furniture should be completely dry before sealing to avoid bubbles.
Step 7: Let it Dry
Finally, your furniture has been restored. Please leave it to cure in a well-ventilated and warm area for at least 24 hours before use.
A DIY fix can efficiently resolve your water-damaged furniture problem through the steps above. However, it may not work in all instances, and it’s crucial to know when to call a professional, more so for furniture that needs extra care and more complex repairs. A reputable water damage repair company professional has specialized training to identify and fix potentially hidden damages in the best way possible. They are also equipped with all the right tools and equipment to bring back the splendor and preserve the value of your water-damaged furniture.
