Water Damage Recovery Tips For Your Furniture

2/11/2020 (Permalink)

The damage your furniture may sustain from water can seem serious, but is often very manageable and can be repaired easily by taking some DIY steps. If you do experience a flooding or weather-related event happen to your home or business and furniture has been affected, here are some tips you can follow to restore your furniture and carpeting.

Wood. When wooden furniture is soaked in water, the first step to be taken will be to let it dry completely. Place it in a room that is warm and one that enjoys good circulation. You may decide to turn on the heat and fans, as well, and that can help the drying process. If the outdoor temperatures are warm, place the furniture outside while taking care that the temperature is just warm enough - cooler weather will cause the piece to dry more slowly and mold can establish a colony, while air that is too hot can end up causing cracks to form in the furniture.

White Spots. If you find white spots on the furniture from drips or leaks, mix a solution of toothpaste and baking soda in equal parts. After dipping a wet cloth in this solution, rub it on the spots and polish the area with a dry piece of fabric made from cotton.

Mildew. Black spots indicate that water has seeped through the finish into the wood itself, and that leads to mildew. If this happens, it will require you to remove the finish, clean the mildew with a bleach solution and put on a new layer of finish.

Buckled Veneer. The veneer on your furniture may have buckled or warped through contact with water. In this case, soak the veneer with a moisturizer to cause it to lie down flat and then wipe it clean and dry. Then you will fill a syringe with veneer glue, place the needle between the veneer and the body of the furniture, and express the glue into the space slowly. After you have removed the needle, place a wood block on top of the veneer and wait for the glue to dry while being sure to follow all the manufacturer’s directions.

The SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties team is always here to help when it comes to the recovery of your possessions from water damage. We are skilled experts in the area of restoration from the damages of fire or water, and we also handle mold remediation and prevention.