Water and wood don’t get along well. The moisture accumulation in bathrooms and kitchens generally results in water damage to wood furniture first. In fact, wood gets water damage quite easily under these conditions, leading to costly repairs. About 14,000 people in the U.S. experience a water damage emergency at home or work each day. Many of these mishaps involve wooden furniture requiring emergency water damage repair.
Fortunately, you can often recover wood furniture if you quickly discover water damage in your home. It’s just a matter of connecting with the right water damage restoration companies.
How Does Wood Get Water Damage?
Water can damage wood quickly, but the extent of the damage generally depends on factors like the type of wood used and the duration of water exposure. Whether you’re dealing with a sudden emergency flood cleanup or a gradual leak, here’s how water can adversely affect the wood in your house.
1. Absorption and Swelling
Wood is a porous substance that quickly absorbs water molecules when they come in contact with it. Water absorption leads to swelling of the wooden fibers and an increase in the overall size of the wood. As a result, the wood expands unevenly and causes furniture to bend out of shape.
Now, there are other problems as well. If the wood dries up too quickly after absorbing the water, it can cause the furniture to crack or even split open. This is why immediate action is necessary. You might even have to contact a company providing 24 hour water damage services.
2. Warping
Do you have solid wood furniture in your house? If yes, you must have noticed that your furniture develops warps and a distorted appearance. Warping happens because wood absorbs water at different rates.
If you don’t treat it properly, you’ll have to deal with the furniture’s poor structural integrity, which can be costly to repair. However, several restoration, repair, and flood recovery companies offer quality services at affordable prices.
3. Discoloration
You’ll notice that the color of your sofas or the fence in your garden has changed drastically over time. When water comes in contact with wood, it causes stains on the surface, mainly if you have used unfinished wood. It will leave dark spots on the furniture and sometimes even bleach it out.
Prolonged exposure can lead to deep stains penetrating the wood, which may require more extensive water damage home restoration.
4. Mold and Mildew Growth
Water can lead to mold growth on wood, which is ugly and dangerous. According to research, mold is one of the main sources of allergens in the house. If water has harmed your wood, look for mold growth and take quick action to address it.
The cost of restoring water damage can vary significantly based on several factors, including the area impacted, the type of water involved, the amount of the damage, and the number of workers needed. The typical cost of water damage restoration in the USA might vary from $1,300 to $5,600.
Effective Ways to Protect Your Wooden Furniture From Water Damage
You won’t be able to stop water leakages or sudden water flooding. But, what you can do is, protect your wood from water damage. Here is how:
1. Use Oil Finishes
Oil treatment is an easy technique for keeping your wood furniture safe from water damage. You can use mineral, tung, linseed, or any other oil-based finish. This water leak remediation will prevent the wood from expanding or distorting out of shape.
You can give your furniture an oil finish by simply using a brush or a cloth. Let it dry completely before you use it.
2. Wood Sealing
Applying an external coating to your wooden furniture is an excellent way to prevent water damage. Sealants produce a waterproof layer that water cannot penetrate. You can use a brush or sprayer to apply wood sealing solution to your furniture.
3. Applying Stain-Resistant Products
Using stain-sealant solutions can prevent wood gets water damage. Stain sealants penetrate the wood and seal it from the inside out, offering long-lasting defense against water damage. Apply the stain sealant to prevent furniture water damage using a brush or gentle cloth.
4. Use a Wood Moisturizer
Applying a wood moisturizer can extend the life of wood surfaces, particularly indoor tables. You can prevent them from cracking, drying, or warping with a few drops.
A wood moisturizer should be applied using a clean cloth rather than straight onto the wood. Avoid getting the wood moisture on untreated wood or varnish, as this might result in stains.
Before applying anything to the wood surface, let it cure for at least thirty minutes. To prevent emergency flood restoration costs, reapply the wood moisture every 2-3 months.
How Do Restoration Companies Treat Water-Damaged Wood
Wood gets water damage for several reasons, including flooding, leaks, and extended exposure to moisture. Water seeping through the wood’s surface can cause warping, discoloration, and even mold formation.
Addressing water damage, whether caused by natural disasters or a plumbing issue, is important to avert additional degradation and maintain the wood’s aesthetic appeal. Restoration companies can help you easily treat your water-damaged furniture.
Assessing the Water Damage
Determining the degree of the damage is the first stage in restoring the water-affected wood. Professionals from restoration companies will look at the affected region and assess the degree of moisture infiltration and warping. Understanding the extent of the issue will allow them to restore efficiently.
Taking action immediately and swiftly is crucial because, as per the NIH, a water-damaged home can lead to various health issues, including pigmented skin spots, sinus infections, and microbial contamination. This emphasizes the importance of immediate action in restoring water-damaged wood.
Water Extraction and Drying
Once the assessment is complete, the next step is water extraction. Professionals will use powerful pumps and vacuums to remove standing water if the wood is part of a larger structure, like flooring or walls. If the damage pertains to wooden furniture, the pieces are carefully moved to a dry area, and excess water is gently wiped off.
After extraction, the drying process begins. Restoration agencies use industrial-grade dehumidifiers and air movers to speed up drying. These machines reduce the moisture content in the air, preventing further absorption by the wood. In some cases, the professionals may carefully apply controlled heat to speed up evaporation since excessive heat can cause the wood to crack or split.
Moisture Content Monitoring
During the drying process, restoration companies monitor the moisture content of wood with various tools called moisture meters. Wood that dries too quickly can become fragile, and wood left standing in moisture rots and develops mold.
Restoration professionals will ensure the integrity of wood by keeping a perfect drying pace.
Cleaning and Sanitization
After drying carefully, the wood goes through a cleaning and sanitization step. If the water damage involves contaminated water, professionals will use commercial water removal and drying techniques to get rid of dirt, stains, or residual water. Specific wood cleaners or mild detergents may be used, depending on the type of wood and how damaged it is.
Repair and Restoration
Now, it’s time to focus on repair and restoration. In the case of wooden furniture, this would mean sanding down where needed, filling any cracks with wood filler, and then refinishing the whole surface to look like it did when first brought into the house.
If some of the wood is beyond restoration, restoration experts may have to replace some parts with new ones. In the case of structural wood, like beams or floorboards, the repair could mean reinforcing weak areas, replacing damaged sections, or tearing down and rebuilding parts of the structure. Restoration companies may sometimes use wood hardeners to strengthen soft or decayed wood so that it remains usable and safe.
Restoring water-damaged wood is no walk in the park—it requires a mix of technical understanding, patience, and the right gear. Restoration companies can handle all work, from water extraction to minor repairs and refinishing, so that the wood can be restored to its pre-loss condition.
Connect with Water Damage Restoration Experts Through Referral Hub!
You cannot leave furniture untreated, waiting for magic to heal it. If your furniture is exposed to prolonged moisture, you might have to replace it entirely, which will burn a hole in your pocket. It’s better to address the damaged wood so you don’t continue damaging the furniture.
Several natural disasters in Utah have led to water leakages and even flooding. Restoration services can help you restore the water-damaged wood.
Let professional water mitigation emergency services help you treat the wood damage in your home. Referral Hub helps you contact water damage restoration companies that can restore your furniture to its original form.
