how to repair water damaged furniture

1. Allow the furniture to dry. Drying is one of the simplest ways to treat water-damaged swollen furniture. ...
2. Using an iron. Yes, you read that right. Another easy way to fix water-damaged swollen wood is to iron it. ...
3. Using a needle or printer. Using a needle or printer is useful when dealing with furniture that has shrunk after being damaged by water.
4. Sanding and finishing. Sanding is a great way to restore the evenness and flatness of wood. ...
5. Flattening wood. You can fix swollen water damaged furniture by flattening the wood. First, moisten the entire surface of the wood by wetting it evenly with a damp cloth.

Full Answer

How to protect your furniture from water damage?

• Know where the stopcock is.
• Proactively check for leaks.
• Check your sump pump works.
• Keep your gutters clear of debris.
• Inspect your roof, inside and out.
• Prevent pipes from freezing.
• Exposed pipes should be properly insulated.

Can water damaged and swollen wood furniture be restored?

The good news is that most solid wood furniture can be salvaged after water damage. Here are some simple steps to follow after a flood to salvage your furniture: After any flood, it’s wise to take photos of the damage done to your home for insurance purposes.

How to repair floors with water damage?

How To Clean Up Your Property After Dealing With Water Damage

1. Inspect The Property First. Before you go inside your house, you should make a thorough examination and inspect if it’s safe for you to enter.
2. Turn Off The Electricity And Gas Line. Before you begin with any serious clean-up, you should start by practicing proper safety measures to ensure that no harm happens inside ...
3. Wear Protection. ...

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How to fix water damaged swollen wood furniture?

How to fix water damaged swollen wood furniture

• Method 1: Let the Furniture Dry. Let the swollen wooden furniture dry before fixing it. ...
• Method 2: Using an Iron. ...
• Method 3: Get a Needle for a Printer to Fix Bubbled Up Wood. ...
• Method 4: Sanding Wood and Applying Furniture Oil. ...
• Method 5: Apply moisture protective varnish. ...
• Method 6: If needed, use more fixings. ...

Can water-damaged wood be repaired?

To fix watermarks or stains on wood, you should have applied marine-grade polyurethane to the wooden furniture in the first place. But, you can still remove watermarks through some other alternative methods.

How do you fix water swollen wood?

Another easy way to fix water-damaged swollen wood is to iron it. Water can cause clear layers of wood to turn creamy or milky gray. These patches are called water stains or watermarks, and ironing is an effective way to fix this. You will need an iron, ironing board, and a soft cloth for this method.

How do you fix a water-damaged wood table?

How to Fix Water Damaged Swollen Wood FurnitureLet Your Furniture Dry Out. Allow your water-damaged piece of furniture to dry before attempting to repair it. ... Sand the Wood & Apply Furniture Oil. Use sandpaper with a hand-sanding tool or your hand to rub your furniture piece. ... Use an Iron.

Can wet furniture be saved?

Upholstered furniture that has been soaked in floodwater is usually not worth saving, as contaminants are very hard to remove. If you choose to restore heavily soaked upholstered furniture, professional restoration services are required.

How do you fix a water-damaged dining room table?

1:507:13How to Fix Water Spots on Wood Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd tricks to see if we can improve this shelf put together a little paste of olive oil and salt.MoreAnd tricks to see if we can improve this shelf put together a little paste of olive oil and salt.

Does swollen wood shrink?

Dry the furniture Water often swells wood. If you dry it out too quickly, it will shrink, crack, and warp. If drawers and doors are swollen, don't force them open – you'll do more damage. Instead, carefully remove the back of the furniture, and allow the air to circulate and dry steadily.

How do you fix water rings on wood furniture?

Remove water rings with mayonnaise. Using a paper towel, dab mayonnaise onto the stain. Let it sit for a few hours or overnight with the paper towel on top. Wipe away the mayo with a clean cloth and finish by polishing. Voila!

Are water stains on wood permanent?

Thankfully, most watermarks are not permanent, and it's almost always possible to get rid of the stains from your wood surface, depending on the intensity of the stain and condition of the wood.

How do you get water rings off wood furniture?

To remove white rings left by wet glasses on wood furniture, mix equal parts vinegar and olive oil and apply it with a soft cloth while moving with the wood grain. Use another clean, soft cloth to shine it up. To get white water rings off leather furniture, dab them with a sponge soaked in full-strength white vinegar.

Is furniture ruined if it gets wet?

Most furniture won't be ruined if some water is on it for just a few minutes. However, if your furniture becomes damp or wet and remains wet for long, it can cause damage to the finish and even to the wood. It's best to prevent moisture from coming into contact with your furniture to prevent damage.

What happens if furniture gets wet?

Water damage typically includes surface mold growth, splitting and deformation of wood members, lifting of veneers, staining of finishes, and failure of glue joints. In most cases, a conservator will ultimately be needed to treat water-soaked furniture and wooden objects.

How do you fix raised wood?

Place the furniture piece in a suitable work area. If you can work on the furniture outside, this is ideal, since you will have a lot of dust as well as odor from the stain and polyurethane. ... Sand down the raised area. ... Hand sand the damaged area. ... Re-stain the wood. ... Clear coat the fix.

How do you fix a swollen wood countertop?

When you've exposed the swollen part of the substrate, sand it flat and stabilize it (lock all those loose fibers together) with a thick coating of cyanoacrylate glue. Sand a little more, and check the flatness.

How to get rid of water spots on furniture?

Start by mixing baking soda and toothpaste in equal parts. Use a wet cloth to spread the solution across the spots and spend some time rubbing it in. Once finished, use dry cotton to polish the spot.

How to dry wood furniture?

Start by placing damaged furniture into a warm room that also circulates air well. You may also want to leave your furniture outdoors in the right weather conditions. Furniture will dry too slowly and form mold if the room or outdoors are too cold, and cracks will form in your furniture if the room or outdoors are too hot.

Can you dry water damaged furniture?

Without drying, the rest of the process will be nearly impossible to complete successfully. When you need to fix water-damaged furniture, a successful process always begins with thorough drying.

Can you fix furniture after a flood?

Flooding can touch so many assets and items in your home, from the flooring and the walls to your furniture. When you’re recovering from a flood situation, you may find yourself wondering how to fix water-damaged furniture. Know from the start that it’s not an impossible situation. With the right steps, it’s possible to get your home’s furniture back to pristine condition. Just follow this process.

How water damages wooden furniture?

Wood is a natural material and can be susceptible to mold and rot when exposed to water or too much moisture without protection. Wood can swell and move from increased moisture content. There are also instances where wooden furniture can get watermarks caused by the wood finish. Note that dark watermarks mean that water has already entered through the wood finishing, while light marks signify that the stain is still on the surface.

How to repair water damaged veneer furniture?

A veneer is a type of wooden furniture composed of woods glued together to achieve a finished surface over man-made wood. Veneer furniture, however, is still prone to water damaged, especially it’s surface and between its glued joint.

How to remove watermarks on wooden furniture?

To fix watermarks or stains on wood, you should have applied marine-grade polyurethane to the wooden furniture in the first place. But, you can still remove watermarks through some other alternative methods.

How to remove white stains from veneer?

When your veneer furniture needs repair caused by water, you can try to apply liquid furniture polish to remove dull white spots. If these spots are too severe, get a rag with denatured alcohol and rub it on the white rings. Make sure to keep an eye on the amount of denatured alcohol as it can destroy the wood finishing. You can also try rubbing the spot with either cigarette ashes with oil or a mixture of rottenstone and oil. Carefully clean the spot and wipe it with a rag. If you notice that the stain is gone, wax the place or the entire surface two times and polish it. But you might need to peel back re-glue and clamp down the veneer until it drys.

How to get rid of watermarks on wood?

Some alternatives to remove watermarks on wood include rubbing either a baking soda mixed with water, a mixture of vinegar and olive oil, dissolved salt on water, or toothpaste on the spot in a circular motion until the stain disappears.

What happens if you leave furniture unnoticed?

Any type of damage can be too serious when left unnoticed and can cause severe destruction to your property over time. One of the types of damages you might encounter with furniture is water ...

How to remove scratches from a car?

You can remove scratches by cleaning the spot first where the scratches are. You might want to prepare a dishwashing liquid mixed with water and use a cloth to rub on the spot. This is ideal for removing any dust, oil, and old polish from the surface before removing the scratches itself.

What Causes Wood Furniture to Bubble Up?

Swollen wood can easily detract from the beauty of your furniture, making it appear aged and scuffed. But understanding why your wood is swollen will help you maintain your wood furniture and save money in the long term.

How to Fix Water Damaged Swollen Wood Furniture

Here’s my first, no-kidding Sherlock, tip: clean up the water as soon as it gets on your wood furniture. You need to act swiftly — before the water is absorbed by the wood — to have the best shot at saving the wood. However, even if it’s too late, there’s still some hope for repairs to be made. Here are some possible methods.

Final Thoughts

Any water-damaged object or material, let alone wood furniture, is difficult to repair. You might need to make some hard choices on which pieces can be recovered and which pieces need to be discarded.

Call 1-Tom-Plumber

Don’t hesitate to contact us here or call us at 1-Tom-Plumber (1-866-758-6237) if you have leaking, flooding, or water damage issues you need to deal with immediately.

How to remove sand from furniture?

Take a scraping tool such as a putty knife and scrape the surface of the furniture. After stripping it, sand the furniture with 100- to 150- grit sandpaper to remove excess stripping agent. Remove wood dust with a paintbrush.

How to fix loose joints on wood?

Glue loose joints on the furniture with wood glue. Remove old glue by sanding inside the joints with rolled-up 150-grit sandpaper. Remove wood dust with a paintbrush. Place glue inside the joint, and reattach the table or chair leg. Put a clamp on the joint and let the glue dry overnight.

How to get water stains out of wood?

Try to remove water stains with wood furniture cleaner. Apply the cleaner to a soft white cloth. Mix a few drops of orange oil in with the cleaner, and rub it onto the furniture in a circular motion. Repeat this until the stain lifts.

What happens when you water stain wood?

When wood furniture is damaged by water, it requires restorative care to ensure that it remains strong and functional. Not only does water stain wood, but it also sometimes leaves behind toxic mold and mildew that needs to be removed promptly.

How to remove deep set stains from wood?

Strip the furniture with a chemical stripping agent. Stripping is the easiest way to remove deep-set stains without removing layers of wood. Dip a clean paintbrush into the chemical stripping agent, and apply it to the surface of the furniture in smooth strokes. Wait for the chemical agent to oxidize, or begin to bubble.

How to get a stain out of wood furniture?

Sand the furniture with an electric sander if the stain is not easily removed. Use a sander with 220-grit sandpaper. Open the windows for proper ventilation, and seal off air-conditioning ducts. Put on a dust mask to keep yourself from inhaling wood dust.

How to clean moldy furniture with bleach?

If the furniture has mold and mildew, take it outside to clean. Mix two caps full of bleach with half a bucket of warm water. Add 3 caps full of mild liquid dish-washing detergent. Stir the liquid with a stick. Dip a scrub brush into the bucket.

How to fix water damage on furniture?

Apply several drops of citrus oil to the stain and rub in the direction of the grain with steel wool. Allow the oil to soak overnight and apply a coat of furniture polish to the repair area. Furniture water damage caused by flooding typically requires a more comprehensive repair technique.

How to repair water damage on satin finish?

Water damage on glossy finishes can sometimes be repaired with mayonnaise. Apply a small amount of mayonnaise to the stain and rub gently with a soft cloth until it disappears. Satin finishes can often be repaired with citrus oil and fine steel wool. Apply several drops of citrus oil to the stain and rub in the direction ...

How to fix water spots on glossy wood?

Rub the paste into the stain with a soft, white cloth following the direction of the grain. Continue rubbing until the water damage is completely gone, and polish the surface with rubbing compound to make the repair less visible. Water damage on glossy finishes can sometimes be repaired with mayonnaise. Apply a small amount of mayonnaise ...

How to dry furniture in a sandbox?

Begin by drying the furniture thoroughly in an outdoor area away from direct sunlight. Then clean the surface using a damp cloth and brush to remove soil. Reattach any loose pieces with good-quality wood glue and allow them to dry.

How to get rid of a stain on a cloth?

For glossy finishes, apply a small amount of toothpaste to the stained area. Use only white, paste-type toothpaste for this procedure to avoid discoloration. Rub the paste into the stain with a soft, white cloth following the direction of the grain. ...

Why does my furniture have milky water?

Milky water stains on furniture are usually the result of moisture trapped beneath the finish. This type of furniture water damage can generally be repaired by drawing the trapped moisture to the surface with heat or oils. Larger areas of damage can sometimes be repaired by gluing separated pieces back together and refinishing the surface.

Can mayonnaise be used on furniture?

Flood damaged furniture usually needs to be dried, cleaned, repaired and refinished. Mayonnaise can often remove water marks from wood. Furniture water damage can range from small stains and rings to pieces that have been completely submerged in flood waters. Milky water stains on furniture are usually the result of moisture trapped beneath ...

How to dry wood furniture after water damage?

If it is not already, bring the furniture into a warm room that has good air circulation. Turn on fans to help speed up the drying process. If it is warm and sunny outdoors, putting the wood furniture in direct sunlight may also help dry it quickly. You want to avoid bringing wet furniture outdoors when it is too cold as it will remain damp and mold will start to grow. Once dry, bring the furniture indoors. Exposure to too much sun can sometimes cause the wood to crack.

How to protect wood furniture from stains?

Once your wood furniture has been sanded and all surface stains removed, it is time to add a protective coating. Most people will apply either a wax or a varnish to their furniture depending on the look and protection they are trying to achieve. Wax has the power to both coat and penetrate wood but it is usually not as efficient as varnish. Wood varnish provides a highly-durable hard finish that penetrates the wood. If you choose wax, apply a thin layer with a clean cloth. Buff the furniture until you create a rich patina. If you are going with varnish, paint on a clear varnish coat to create a barrier that is both waterproof and insect-repellent. Apply a second coat after the first has fully dried.

How to remove water stains from wood?

There are a number of methods that may be effective in removing the stain, especially if you catch it early on. First, try applying 3% peroxide. This will be the least labor intensive and cost effective. Organic staining can be extremely difficult to remove. Companies like Kingsley Water Damage Restoration use commercial grade products with hydrogen peroxide concentrations up to 20%. These products require heavy duty PPE be worn. If 3% peroxide doesn’t lift the stain you may need to contact a chemical supply company like Clean Source of Columbia for commercial stain lifters. Be sure to ask about personal protective equipment requirements before purchasing a product.

Can water damage be repaired?

If your home has suffered extensive damage, you may be dealing with much more than water-logged furniture. Your walls, floors, ceilings and other structural elements of your home may have also been affected. When it comes to structural repairs, you need to call in the water damage restoration experts. Reach out to the water damage experts at Kingsley, LLC, to learn more about how to repair water damaged wood furniture or to acquire a free estimate for water damage restoration.