Restoring Your Furniture After Water Damage

6/1/2020 (Permalink)

If you have some furniture that has experienced water damage, the damage can often be manageable and you can handle it by following 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, and always remember that the SERVPRO team is ready to assist you with the jobs that require professional expertise. 

Wood Care. When a piece of furniture made from wood has been soaked in water, the first step you will need to take is to let it dry completely. Place it in a room that is warm and that enjoys good circulation; you can decide to turn on the heat and fans, as well, and that can be helpful. If the outdoor temperatures are warm, place the furniture outside, but take care that the temperature is truly warm enough - cool weather will cause the piece to dry more slowly and mold or mildew may appear. Weather that is TOO warm won’t be much help, either; 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. Helpful Tip: This method can be used to remove water rings from drinking glasses, as well. 

Black Spots. Black spots indicate that water has seeped through the finish into the wood itself, and that leads to mildew. If you see this issue developing, it will require you to remove the finish, clean the mildew with a bleach solution, and put on a new layer of finish to bring your furniture back to its original beauty. 

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, place the needle tip between the veneer and the body of the furniture and empty the syringe slowly. After it is removed, place a wood block on top of the veneer and wait for the glue to dry; make sure you are following manufacturer recommendations. 

When it comes to recovery of your property and possessions from water damage, the SERVPRO of Hermitage/Donelson team is always here to help you get back to normal. We are experts in the area of restoration from either water damage or fire damage, and we are also mold prevention and remediation experts.