Water-damaged furniture is a pesky problem that homeowners deal with regularly.
Studies show that 14,000 people each day deal with some form of water damage. Aside from prevention, you also need to understand how to handle the restoration after your wood furniture has sustained damage.
Repairing water damaged wood should be high on your priority list when you’re dealing with flood cleanup and other water damage repairs.
1. Failing to Act Quickly
Time is of the essence whenever you have experienced water damage issues in your household. The sooner you act, the sooner you will be able to minimize the damage and get your furniture back to its prior condition.
When water damage is allowed to mount up unchecked, it can worsen and create more danger.
As soon as you experience a flood or other instance of water damage, the clock is ticking on maintaining your furniture value and quality. Don’t drag your feet once you realize that you have an issue that needs your attention.
2. Not Understanding the Signs and Effects
One of the biggest reasons that homeowners wait to take care of their water damage problem is that they don’t recognize the signs. Understanding these signs will help you tackle your restoration in enough time to save the furniture.
Some signs of water-damaged wood furniture include:
- Black or white spots on the furniture
- A mildew smell
- Parts of the wood feel soft or soggy
- Visible signs of mold
- A lack of structural soundness
Take action quickly once any of these signs appear. Damaged wood can cause injury and the development of mold in your home can create lingering health issues.
Knowing what you’re dealing with early can help.
3. Rushing the Wood to Dry
Keep in mind also that the process takes time. Many homeowners are so pressed to counteract flood damage that they skip steps and rush.
Speeding through the drying process makes you more likely to deal with subsequent issues that only eat up more of your money. Rushing makes you more likely to be incomplete with drying the wood, which leaves structural issues.
Your wood furniture will be more likely to get cracked, warped, and broken when you don’t take the necessary time.
4. Forgetting About Ventilation
Water damage restoration for wood furniture typically requires the use of gels, chemicals, and polishes. These products can create tremendous fumes, which are harmful when breathed in.
If you’re handling your wood restoration, make sure that the area is well-ventilated. Open all of the windows in the room and leave a fan running.
By dissipating the fumes, you’ll be better able to avoid harmful exposure and can keep yourself and everyone in your home safe.
5. Not Hiring a Professional
Perhaps the biggest mistake that homeowners tend to make is not hiring a professional to handle their water damage. These jobs have so much on the line and have the potential to be complex.
Because of this, it takes the help and service of trained professionals to make sure that it’s handled correctly. These pros have the skills to get the job done, along with the correct products.
With so many benefits of owning wood furniture, you’ll need the assistance of someone you trust to restore your pieces to their prior condition. Take out as many price quotes as you need to until you find the professional you’d like to work with.
6. Failing to Gather the Right Tools
If you feel comfortable addressing your own water damage repairs, start by gathering the right tools for the job. Failing to use reliable tools can cause further damage to your furniture, or might do a subpar job at best.
There are a few tools that’ll serve you, such as a workshop-grade vacuum, an industrial-strength fan for ventilation, moisture detection equipment, shop towels, and a dehumidifier.
Don’t begin your restoration project until you have everything laid out and prepared. This way, you can complete the drying of the wood without interruption.
7. Using Restoration for Minimal Damage
A huge mistake that people often make is opting for wood restoration when they don’t need it. Not all moisture damage necessitates wholesale water damage restoration.
If the damage is light or barely noticeable, you might be able to treat it using a damp cloth, and a water and ammonia solution. Engaging in full water damage restoration might do more harm than good to the wood if the damage is minimal and it just needs a touchup.
8. Not Following Safety Protocols
Water damage restoration comes with its own precautions that you need to follow. Jumping into a restoration project without managing your safety protocols can lead to contamination or injury.
If the water damage has been present for a long time, you may be dealing with mold spores. Breathing in old mold spores can lead to respiratory issues and irritation.
Mold can irritate your eyes, and splinters and wood dust can also cause issues. Always wear safety equipment before proceeding. This can include eyewear, gloves, a mask, and other safety equipment.
Set up your work environment by laying down a tarp or shop towels to protect your flooring.
9. Ignoring the Underlying Problems
It’s one thing to clean up water damage, but you must also fix any underlying problems. For example, fixing water damage will only go so far if you don’t also handle the plumbing malfunction.
If the pipe bursts or leaks again, it’s only a matter of time before you’re in need of repeat water damage restoration services. Bring out a professional to tackle these issues so that you know your water damage restoration service won’t be in vain.
Repairing Water Damaged Wood 101
You’re more likely to get the outcome you desire when you follow these steps. Repairing water damaged wood can help you cut costs and keep some of your most valuable pieces of furniture intact.
The Cleanup Guys have years of experience with water damage projects and would be happy to assist you. To request service, contact us on our site or call (773)570-9418, 24 hours a day.