Let CTR Help Restore Your Furniture After Water Damage
When you’re restoring your furniture, where do you even start? Restoring furniture after water damage can feel like a daunting task, but with the right approach and expertise, it’s entirely manageable. Whether you have wood, upholstery, leather, or veneer, Cleanup & Total Restoration (CTR) can help you restore your furniture after water damage.
Table of Contents
How Does Water Damage Furniture
Wood Furniture
Water can damage wood furniture in many different ways, the most common being swelling and warping. Real wood furniture absorbs water causing it to expand, swell, or rot. If water damaged furniture is left untreated, then the wooden furniture will eventually break and fall apart.
How To Restore Wood Furniture After Water Damage
Restore water-damaged wood furniture by first letting it dry completely, you can speed up this process by putting fans on it or placing it outside. After the wood is completely dry, you may notice white spots leftover from hard water which can be easily treated with an at-home cleaning solution of equal parts baking soda and toothpaste. After polishing off the white spots with the cleaning solution and damp rag, then check to see if there are any black, dark, or moldy-looking spots. Mold spots can be removed with a little more elbow grease, but may need professional assistance to assess, clean, and repair the damages.
Upholstered Furniture
Upholstered furniture such as couches, chairs, recliners, etc. takes water damage worse than any other type of furniture material. The fabric and cushions in upholstered furniture absorb much more water than wood, causing the furniture to breed mold, mildew smells, and leave water stains. When water damages your upholstery, you can usually tell by the smell and texture of the cushions in the furniture.
How To Restore Upholstered Furniture After Water Damage
Restoring upholstery is a bit more tricky (and expensive) than any other furniture repair or restoration due to its fabric and density. If your home experienced minimal flooding and water damage, then you may be able to put your upholstered flood damaged furniture under dryers and fans to dry and restore them. If your home underwent extreme flooding and water damage, then many homeowners opt to throw out and replace their upholstered furniture since it will cost more to restore them. If you do decide to have your upholstery restored after water damage, then you should reach out to a professional water cleanup and restoration company.
Leather Furniture
Some people only have leather furniture in their homes because it’s naturally water resistant and is easy to clean compared to upholstered furniture. However, just like wooden furniture, when it comes to water, leather is just as susceptible to damage. When leather undergoes water damage, it can rot, crack, and deteriorate.
How To Restore Leather Furniture After Water Damage
To restore leather furniture, you first want to use a clean cloth to gently blot the water from the leather surface. After blotting the leather dry, allow it to air dry naturally in a well-ventilated area away from direct heat sources or sunlight. Once the leather is completely dry, apply a leather conditioner to restore its moisture and flexibility. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for best results or reach out to a professional restoration company.
Veneer or Laminate Furniture
Wood veneer and laminate furniture will warp, peel, and lift away when water-damaged. It can also lose its texture and become discolored from absorbing too much moisture.
How To Restore Veneer or Laminate Furniture After Water Damage
Restore veneer or laminate furniture by cleaning it first, making sure it’s free from any dirt and particles. To get rid of stains, use a mild furniture cleaner to remove them. If the stains persist, sand the veneer carefully and use a chemical stripper as directed to scrape away the finish with a knife. After the veneer or laminate is stipped and stain-free, apply multiple coats of a waterproof varnish, allowing proper drying time between each coat.
A Recap for Restoring Water-Damaged Furniture
Assess the Damage
When you’re restoring your water-damaged furniture, assess all damages before starting. Determine the scope of work, the extent of damage, and what is needed to repair and restore your furniture—this is when you should call a professional company for help.
Dry and Remove Moisture
After assessing the damage, make sure you thoroughly dry all water-damaged items to prevent mold and mildew.
Clean and Disinfect
Effectively clean and disinfect furniture to eliminate bacteria, especially if the water damages are from sewer floods with contaminated gray and black water.
Restore & Repair
Address specific repairs based on the material and extent of damage. This can include adding conditioner to leather, gluing down veneer, or replacing upholstery.
Contact CTR Today for Assistance With Water Damaged Furniture
When floods occur unexpectedly due to natural disasters or pipe leaks, dealing with water-damaged furniture might feel overwhelming. In these moments, it’s important to know how water damages wood, leather, upholstery, and veneer furniture and the best way to restore them. Reach out to Cleanup & Total Restoration today, our professionals will get to you promptly to help minimize damages and plan a complete restoration.
