how to repair wood water damage

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

Can water damaged wood be repaired?

Water damaged wood can be difficult to repair. Even though most wood finishes protect the surface, it is still possible for the wood to become damaged by water. If you see white spots, stains, blushing or other surface discoloration, then the likelihood is that the wood is being attacked by water.

How do I know if my wood has been water damaged?

If you see white spots, stains, blushing or other surface discoloration, then the likelihood is that the wood is being attacked by water. The sooner you address such damage, the cheaper and more permanent any repair will be. In this article I’ll look at a simple seven step process to repair water damaged wood.

How do you fix water damaged furniture?

Sand the furniture in the direction of the grain. Sand the water-damaged areas first. Remove wood dust with a clean paintbrush, and continue sanding the remainder of the furniture to even out the finish.

What happens when wood furniture is damaged by water?

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.

Can you use water treatment on veneered wood?

Does oxylic acid remove oxidized wood?

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Can wood be repaired after water damage?

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 swollen wood furniture?

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.

How do you get moisture out of wood?

Place a dehumidifier in the center of the room once all of the standing water is removed. Set it to the highest extraction setting possible. Turn it on and leave it running for at least 24 hours to pull moisture from the boards. Place fans blowing across the surface to further aid in drying the wood out.

How do you Unswell a wooden door?

When a wood door is not sealed or varnished around the edges, particularly the bottom edge, moisture is absorbed into the wood and causes the timber to swell. A quick fix for swollen doors… Use a hairdryer or heat gun to dry out moisture-ridden timber by evaporating interior moisture.

Why does wood get swollen?

Shrinking and swelling occur as the wood changes moisture content in response to daily as well as seasonal changes in the relative humidity of the atmosphere, i.e., when the air is humid, wood adsorbs moisture and swells; when the air is dry, wood loses moisture and shrinks.

How do you fix raised wood veneer?

0:021:44Bubble in Veneer - The Fix with Jory Brigham - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipUse a razor blade to cut with the grain. Only make this cut as big as you need to using a wedge orMoreUse a razor blade to cut with the grain. Only make this cut as big as you need to using a wedge or shim prop up that veneer. This is going to allow you to get that applicator tip pretty far back.

How do you get rid of bumps on a wooden table?

Try fixing small bubbles or blisters by placing a damp cloth over them and going over the spot with a hot iron. This might reactivate the glue which no longer bonds the veneer to its base.

How to Repair Water Damaged Wood Veneer? [6 Steps]

Wood veneers are usually less than 1/40" thin slices of natural wood in the simplest sense. They are the piece of pressed wood.Most people use veneers to form structural panels for heavier hardwood timber products, such as splaying, particleboards, and MDF.

How to keep wood from water damage?

Put in place a wood maintenance program, ensuring that paintwork is regularly refreshed. This will help to keep your wood safe from water damage. As well as looking good, you’ll suffer lower repair bills in the long run.

How to get rid of rotten wood?

Step 1: Remove rotting wood. Wood rots quickly when it gets damp and the water is allowed to seep in. Use a chisel to carefully remove any rot ten wood, cutting out through to dry and hard inner surfaces.

Can water damage wood be repaired?

Here’s a simple way how to repair water damaged wood around the house, internally and externally. Water damaged wood can be difficult to repair. Even though most wood finishes protect the surface, it is still possible for the wood to become damaged by water.

Can you mix auto filler putty with hardening cream?

Yes, that’s right, I said auto filler put ty! Mix it up with hardening cream according to the instructions, and get prepared to see the magic happen.

Can you repair wood furniture that is water damaged?

However, if you’ve got furniture that is water damaged, then you’ll need to use different approaches.

What is water damage exactly?

Wooden furniture can definitely bring more positive energy into your home, but you need to know how to take care of it properly. Water stains are a milder form of water damage. They show up on the wood as a white or light-colored circle or cloud-like, scattered spot. This means that the moisture is not trapped in the wood's finish.

You can fix water damage on wood with a clothes iron

The first method we will describe involves a clothes iron to evaporate the moisture. However, this trick can help you do this only if the stain is 'fresh'.

Remove water damage with the help of mayonnaise

The first method may not produce the expected results, or you do not own the appliances mentioned above. In that case, you might turn to a slightly unconventional substance that is located in your fridge - mayonnaise.

Fix water damage on wood with white toothpaste

If the previous two methods fail you, then head on down to the bathroom and grab your toothpaste. But, for this to work, you need to procure white, non-gel toothpaste.

How to get moisture out of wood?

Once you’ve pat-dried the clean wood, open the windows (if you are in a dry climate) or bring in a dehumidifier to remove all moisture from the room. Expect this to take up to a whole day. Don’t rush this step! Using a heater or hair dryer directly on the wood risks cracking it.

How to keep water level in wood floors?

If you have a room prone to excess moisture, install a dehumidifier to keep the water level in the air regulated. Cover your wood floors with plenty of rugs, as it’s easier to dry cotton than wood.

What happens when you pop floorboards out of the subfloor?

Buckling — when cupping and crowning go unchecked the floorboards can actually pop out of the subfloor which is then subject to its own damage. If you are tripping over your wood floor, it is probably buckling.

What does it mean when a subfloor buckles?

If buckling continues after you’ve followed every step above, this could be a sign the subfloor has been damaged as well, and you will need to dry and clean it before replacing the boards above.

What is crowning wood?

Crowning — the opposite of cupping, when the center of the boards is higher than the edges. Crowning can occur if unfinished floors are left in a humid climate. The wood retains moisture and slowly expands.

What to do if you spill water on a laundry machine?

A gray water spill, like a laundry machine leak, will need to be thoroughly cleaned with wood-safe products before repairs can take place.

Can moisture damaged wood split?

Cracking and Warping — moisture-damaged wood can split and contort into any shape but the nice flat flooring you had.

How to deal with water damage on wood?

The best way to deal with water damage is to keep it from happening in the first place. Make sure you have the proper sealant to protect your wood, and don't forget to reapply it every few years.

What causes water to stains on wood?

Stains. Water can create stains on the surface of your wood if you don't clean it off fast enough. If you can see outlines of a puddle or other types of discoloration, water is gathering on the top of your floor.

Why does my hardwood floor feel squishy?

Your hardwood flooring shouldn't feel squishy when you take a step. If it does, odds are the structure underneath the flooring is rotted or damaged. This might mean you have a leak under your flooring or that it absorbed a lot of water from a spill or a flood.

What to do if water gathered on floor?

The water that gathered on your floor was likely dirty (especially if this water came from a floor or a leak). To remove any dirt or harmful bacteria, you brush the entire floor with a stiff, scrubbing brush.

Why does my hardwood floor smell like mold?

Does something smell like mold when you walk into your home? If you can't figure out the source of the odor, it might be your floor. Moisture in or under the floor can make your hardwood start to mold.

How long does it take for a floor to dry?

Open the windows and doors to allow more airflow through the space. This drying process may take several hours or, depending on how much water seeped into your flooring, several days.

Why does wood warp?

Since wood swells up when it absorbs water, it can warp out of shape. If you notice any bubbling on the surface of the wood, curling at the edges, peeling, or otherwise odd-looking shapes, your wood is very wet (or at least was at one point).

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 fix water damage on wood veneer?

You can use your wood filler to fill the area where the furnace is lacking. Try to fill the wood around the edges as smooth and clean as possible to fix water damaged wood veneer.

What are the Signs of Water Damage on Wood?

Typically, these stains are dark brown, dark yellow, orange, or green. The salt and minerals left behind during water evaporations cause these unsightly discolorations. White discoloration on wooden furnishings can also be seen when the finish reacts with water.

What is Wood Veneer?

Wood veneers are usually less than 1/40" thin slices of natural wood in the simplest sense. They are the piece of pressed wood. Most people use veneers to form structural panels for heavier hardwood timber products, such as splaying, particleboards, and MDF.

How Does Wood Veneer Get Damaged?

Water, as it's for many other items, isn't a good wood veneer companion. If it sprinkles on the surface or under trapped water, the veneer does not respond well for long periods in contact with the water. This creates a few problems, such as white spots over the furnace and blushed haze.

Can water damaged wood be repaired?

Wood veneers damaged caused by water may normally be repaired without specialist refinery services. Water damage generally only damages the surface of the veneer when caught early. However, for a while, the water will reach the finish and damage the furnace. Caught early, you can rescue wood furnace cabinets with little knowledge and much patience.

How to sand furniture in the direction of grain?

Sanding the furniture in the direction of the grain with a sander with 220-grit sandpaper. First, remember to sand the areas eroded by water. You should continue to sand the rest of the furniture to create a layer also. Then use a clean paintbrush to remove the wood dust.

How to remove old glue from wood?

You can use 150-grit sandpaper to remove the old glue from damaged joints. You need to use a new paintbrush to remove the wood dust. Then place wood glue to join the loose joints again. Set the joint in place and let it rest overnight.

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 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 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.

Can you use water treatment on veneered wood?

Every step of this treatment should be done consistently to the entire surface, not just the damaged area. The procedure involves flooding the surface with water. Fortunately, the damage shown here is on solid wood—using this treatment on a veneered surface can be risky.

Does oxylic acid remove oxidized wood?

Oxalic acid removes the gray color from oxidized wood, without changing the wood’s natural color. That’s why it’s commonly used as the active ingredient in deck cleaners, and why restorers use it to remove gray or black water stains on furniture (see “Oxalic Acid Undoes Rust,” below). Oxalic acid is also used in some household cleaning products for removing hard water stains, and it has many industrial uses as well. Although it is found as a natural ingredient in some vegetables (spinach and rhubarb), oxalic acid is quite toxic if ingested in concentrated form.