Water is a common source of damage to wood, and depending on what type of wood is damaged and how it’s used, water from burst pipes, for example, can cause considerable damage. Wood floors and wood furniture such as chairs and tables are the typical victims of water damage. Water may cause the boards in the flooring to warp, buckle or swell, and wooden furniture can warp, crack or split. Water damage restoration experts like Prime Restoration have a variety of methods to remove water from wood furniture and floors, as well as prevent further damage. In this article, we will discuss what happens when water damage occurs to wood and how to deal with water-damaged wood.
So, How Does It Damage The Wood?
Water can cause mold to grow on wood, which is not only unsightly but also hazardous because it’s a prime source of allergens in the home. If you have water damage to wood, check for signs of growth of mold (which might cause wood rot), then remediate them immediately.
Water damage can seep into wooden furniture so if the furniture is valuable, take it to restoration professionals for repair.
Wooden floors are also prone to water damage and susceptible to shrinking or warping after water damage. If they’re not dried completely and evenly, the result will be buckling of the planks.
Dealing with water-damaged wood can be difficult to work with because even if you try to fix it, the humidity of the air may swell it back up.
Wooden furniture is also prone to warping, cracking, splitting, and wood rots if not dried out correctly after water damage. Removing drawers and doors on cabinets where possible will allow them to dry more quickly, depending on the type of damage.
Mold can grow in moist, humid conditions after water damage, so if there is mold present in the area, it should be removed immediately.
Damaged wooden floors may have to be replaced in sections or altogether if the damage is too great after water damage. Wooden furniture will likely need professional restoration help because of different types of wood where both warping and cracking can occur when they’re not dried out properly, depending on the wood finish.
Dealing With Water-damaged Wood
These are some of the steps to take if you have to fix water-damaged wood.
First of all, try to contain the water by removing it with towels or a wet/dry vacuum cleaner. Locate the source of water and close it off to prevent damage.
If your flooring is warped or buckled, remove pieces of damaged boards immediately because they will continue to warp and buckle as they dry. Allow the floor to dry thoroughly before replacing the damaged boards, which likely will require doing so in sections.
For wooden furniture, remove drawers and cabinet doors that may be warped or swollen and allow them to dry out for a day or two. Even if you can’t see any damage at first, you should check them to be sure; this will make it easier to repair water-damaged furniture.
In Conclusion
Water is a common cause of damage to wood, so if you have prone water-damaged furniture or wooden floors, be sure to first stop the source of the water and dry the area completely. Store any removable pieces in a dry place with good air circulation until they can be dried or repaired more thoroughly. If mold is left after water damage, it should be removed to prevent it from spreading.
Water damage is a serious problem. When water damages wood, it can cause mold and bacteria to grow which in turn causes dangerous health hazards for homeowners. Prime Restoration is a professional water damage restoration company and has specialized methods for dealing with any type of water damage restoration scenario you may have-whether it be flooding or leaks from your roof or plumbing fixtures. If you find yourself in this unfortunate scenario, don’t hesitate to contact Prime Restoration today!
