What Are Some Water Damage Recovery Tips For My Furniture In Bloomville?

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

A water damage event of any kind will affect everything in your home or business. Water seeps into walls and flooring, causing structural damage. It can also harm your electronics, paper items, and furniture. In the case of paper items and electronics, it's best to let the professionals assess them before trying to save them, but with furniture, there are some things you can do yourself to start the recovery process.

What Are The First Steps I Can Take To Recover My Bloomville Furniture From Water Damage? 

If it is safe to do so, take these steps to begin drying out the interior of your building: 

• Turn on fans 
• Open windows and doors
• Remove standing water using cloths, shop-vacs, or brooms
• Move upholstered furniture out of standing water; if it is sunny outside, the sunshine can help dry out the fabrics

What Kinds Of Furniture Will Need Special Attention?

Wooden furniture is going to be your biggest concern since water can destroy wood if it’s not managed immediately. These pieces require restorative care to ensure that they remain solid and functional. Not only does water stain wood, but it also sometimes leaves behind toxic mold and mildew that need prompt removal. Follow the steps below to restore your wooden furniture pieces:

1. If the furniture has mold and mildew, take it outside to clean. After putting on gloves, mix two caps full of bleach with half a bucket of warm water. Add three caps full of mild liquid dish-washing detergent, stir, and scrub the furniture thoroughly. Wash off the soap and repeat if necessary. Let the furniture air dry.
2. Remove water stains with wood furniture cleaner applied to a soft cloth. Mix a few drops of orange oil with the cleaner, and rub it onto the furniture using circular motions; repeat until the stain lifts. You can also try mayonnaise or salad oil dressing if the oil doesn’t work. Clean the wood with a fresh soft cloth. Remove any excess oil with a wood cleaner.
3. If the stain won’t come off readily, sand the furniture with an electric sander using 220-grit sandpaper. Open the windows for proper ventilation, and seal off air-conditioning ducts. Be sure to wear a dust mask to keep yourself from inhaling wood dust.
4. Sand the furniture in the direction of the grain, focusing on the water-damaged areas first. Remove the wood dust with a clean paintbrush, and continue sanding the remainder of the piece to even out the finish. 
5. Strip the furniture with a chemical stripping agent. Dip a clean paintbrush into the chemical stripping agent, and apply it to the furniture's surface in smooth strokes. Wait for the chemical agent to oxidize or begin to bubble, and scrape the surface of the furniture. After stripping it, sand the piece with 100- to 150- grit sandpaper to remove excess stripping agent. Remember to remove wood dust with a paintbrush.
6. Remove old glue by sanding inside the joints with rolled-up 150-grit sandpaper. Place glue inside the joint, and reattach the table or chair leg. Put a clamp on the joint and let the glue dry overnight.
7. Use a waterproof stain and apply it in even strokes with a clean paintbrush. If you're painting the furniture, use latex enamel-based paint in the color of your choice. Apply two coats of stain or paint. Let the first coat dry before applying the second. Choose a clear varnish that is both waterproof and insect repellent. Once your furniture is fully dry, apply two coats of varnish with a clean paintbrush, letting the first coat dry before applying the second one. 

If your Bloomville home or business experiences water damage, SERVPRO of Huron & East Seneca Counties is available to help you recover. In addition to water damage, we handle carpet & upholstery restoration, odor removal, mold remediation, and many other after-effects of water damage. 

We can get your home or business Certified: SERVPRO Cleaned, as well. Ask us how!

This franchise is independently owned and operated.