When Water Damages Your Furniture

6/20/2019 (Permalink)

Water damage to your furniture is not always as bad as it might seem. Sometimes the damage is very manageable and can be repaired through some simple DIY steps. If you have some furniture that needs care after flooding or weather-related water damage, here are some tips you can follow to restore your furniture and carpeting.

Wood - When a piece of furniture made from wood has been soaked in water, the first step to be taken is to let it dry completely. Place it in a room that is warm and that enjoys good circulation. You can choose to turn on the heat and fans, as well. If the outdoor temperatures are warm, you may place the furniture outside, but take care that the temperature is warm enough - cold weather will cause the piece to dry more slowly and mold can establish a colony, while air that is too hot will cause cracks to form in the furniture.
White Spots - If you find white spots on the furniture, mix a solution of toothpaste and baking soda in equal parts. After dipping a wet cloth in this solution, rub it around and 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. You can soak the veneer with a moisturizer to cause it to lie down flat and then wipe it clean and dry. Next, fill a syringe with veneer glue, stick the needle between the veneer and the body of the furniture, emptying the syringe slowly. After it is removed, place a wood block on top of the veneer and wait for the glue to dry, following manufacturer recommendations.
When it comes to recovery of your property and possessions from water damage, the team at SERVPRO of Lansdale, Warminster, and Blue Bell is always here to help. We are experts in the area of restoration from the damages of fire or water, and we are also mold prevention and remediation experts