If you have owned a home for a long time, you are likely to experience water damage at some point. Water damage causes homeowners significant stress, as it can compromise building materials, possessions, and the property’s air quality.
One of the most vulnerable materials in your home is wood, and repairing water-damaged wood furniture or building components is difficult. Wood furniture requres special care to properly restore it. For example, swollen wood furniture can’t be properly repaired because it’s too wet. Wood floors require specialized techniques to prevent further damage.
Assessing the Total Damage
The first step to fix water damaged or swollen furniture is assessing the damage. Different types of wood react differently to contact with a water source. Hardwood, softwood, and engineered wood will have specific strategies for fixing water damage.
Extent of Water Damage
As you inspect the wood surface, whether it is part of the floor, framing, or a piece of furniture, determine how severe the damage is. Minor damage could manifest as slight water stains or look like oil residue. A more severe issue could be the complete breakdown of the wooden material.
Checking for Mold Growth
Mold can grow quickly in the right conditions, and moisture is a key ingredient in the development of mold spores. Inspect the affected wood for mold because it will require specific cleaning strategies to preserve the home’s air quality. Wear a dust mask to avoid breathing in mold spores.
Dry The Affected Wood
Once you have a picture of the total damage, the priority is drying out the material as quickly as possible. Whether you are facing underwater wood floors, swollen wood furniture, or warped framing, the wood will only be salvageable if you dry it first. Use a soft cloth to avoid further damage.
Remove Excess Water
Excess water must be removed from the area, including standing water left behind by the water source. Use towels, mops, and wet-dry vacuums to remove as much water as possible from the affected room and furniture.
Air Circulation and Ventilation
Air circulation is the key to extracting water molecules from a surface. Use a fan and dehumidifier to facilitate evaporation and speed up the drying process. Open the windows and doors to increase airflow. You can even use a hair dryer to dry small areas more specifically.
Monitoring the Drying Process
Sometimes, it is difficult to tell if unfinished wood is completely dry. You can purchase a moisture meter from a local hardware store to monitor the moisture levels in the wood and ensure the drying process is complete.
Repairing Minor Water Damage
If the floorboards or water-damaged furniture absorbed small amounts of water, it may be relatively simple to repair. Here are some tips for addressing minor levels of damage to your possessions.
Sanding and Refinishing
Wood grains often warp or swell when exposed to water. They can also develop unsightly stains. You can remove these stains or raised grains by sanding and refinishing the wood surface. For minor issues, this is likely enough to restore the affected wood.
Wood Fillers and Putties
If the incident left behind small cracks or dents in the wood or varnish, you can fill these in with wood fillers or putties. These materials can typically be found in hardware stores. This method will restore the look and integrity of the affected furniture, floorboard, or framing piece. They can also help prevent damage by filling in surface cracks.
Repairing Moderate Water Damage
Moderate damage may require more than sanding and refinishing to fix. With this damage, the wood floors or furniture may warp or rot. Here are some steps to follow when repairing wood furniture or other structural components with moderate damage.
Replacing Damaged Sections
If damage compromises the integrity of a wood piece, you may need to replace sections of it. This damage could be caused by warping or rotting from wet conditions. Replacements are essential if the wood is a critical structural element in the house.
Clamping and Reinforcing
Before drying warped wood, you can employ clamps and reinforcements to undo the problem as it dries. As the moisture leaves the material and the clamp’s pressure or reinforcement serves as a guide, the wood will be reshaped to its original condition.
Addressing Severe Water Damage
Higher levels of damage require more drastic measures, and in many cases, this type of work requires the assistance of professionals. Here are some situations when intense repair is necessary to address wood floors, framing, or furniture.
Structural Damage and Safety Concerns
If the wood is exposed to a lot of water for a prolonged period, even clean water, the structural damage may be irreversible. In this case, the damage becomes a safety concern. You will need a professional assessment before you fix water-damaged wood with this severity level.
Mold Remediation
Whether the damage was caused by a burst pipe or a broken appliance, moisture can lead to mold growth. Mold can cause significant health complications, so professional mold remediation may be necessary to eliminate the infestation.
When to Call Professionals
Calling the professionals for water restoration is your best bet for returning the home to its pre-loss condition. However, there are a few scenarios where you should avoid the DIY strategy and find a reputable contractor.
Extensive Damage or Structural Concerns
If wet wooden floors or framing compromise your home’s structure, this large-scale problem requires professional assistance. Any extensive damage could make the home unsafe or cause a mold infestation. This includes flooding and severe storm damage.
Lack of Experience or Time
If you lack knowledge or time to fix your swollen wood furniture or compromised building components, it makes sense to hire professional services. They have the right equipment, knowledge, and time to do the job.
Preventing Future Water Damage
The best way to fix water-damaged wood is to prevent it from happening in the first place. Here are some tips for preventing future water damage and preserving your home and possessions.
Identifying and Addressing Leaks
If you ever discover a water leak in your home, you must address it immediately. Don’t wait for it to become a bigger problem, as this will only lead to more water damage.
Proper Ventilation and Moisture Control
A well-ventilated home is less likely to experience moisture issues. You should also invest in humidity control mechanisms to ensure the environment is kept dry. If moisture buildup continues, even for a few hours, you risk damaging wooden materials.
Call a Water Damage Repair Service
If saving your wood furniture and wood floors is a priority, PacWest Restoration can help. In most cases, sanding and wood glue are not enough to save your possessions and property from significant moisture damage, but we can with our expertise.
Call us today at 503-746-6545 or complete the online form to request a free assessment.
