Water-Damaged Furniture: Can It Be Saved?

Do you have water-damaged furniture that you'd like to save? Call (520) 416-4308 now to speak to our team of restoration professionals. We can help you determine what's worth keeping and restore it to the way you bought it. 

Water damage is a common and sometimes unavoidable factor in life. Whether it's your home or your belongings, at some point, you will have to deal with it. Fortunately, Tucson's professional water damage restoration experts can help. 

If you have water-damaged furniture and are unsure if it's salvageable, keep reading. In this article, we'll explain the effects water damage has on different materials and how to restore them.

What’s the Extent of the Damage?

If your home or business has suffered water damage, you'll want to complete a thorough inspection after it's safe to reenter. Taking photos of the property and damaged furniture helps with your insurance claim. It also allows you to get a better idea of what furniture is salvageable.

How do you know if your furniture is saveable? You'll need to consider the following things.

What Type of Water Caused the Damage?

One of the most important things to know about water damage is that not all water is the same. Experts categorize water into three categories:

• Clean water. This category refers to fresh water from your home's supply lines. Examples would be the water from your sink or fridge.
• Gray water. This is the type of water that you find in your dishwasher or water heater. While it may not be entirely hazardous, it is not considered safe to drink. 
• Black water. The last category refers to any water that is hazardous to your health. Sewage is an example of black water. This is the most dangerous type of water damage your furniture can get.

What Can Cause Water Damage?

Water damage can result from leaking or burst pipes, floods, and heavy storm damage. More serious situations, such as natural disasters, can make it more difficult to restore your furniture. This is because furniture usually sits in standing water for much longer. Luckily, bursts or leaking pipes generally lead to minimal or localized damage.

What Type of Furniture Is It?

After determining the type of water damage you're dealing with, next, consider the type of furniture. Depending on the material it's made from, restoration may be more difficult.

Upholstered Furniture

Upholstered furniture is difficult to clean completely. This is because the fabric traps bacteria and allows mold to grow easily. Before you can safely use your upholstered furniture again, you will need to treat it with heat and pressure. A restoration expert can determine if your upholstered furniture is salvageable or not. 

Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture that's been exposed to water requires a specific process to restore. Because the wood's porous nature absorbs water, it may look swollen or bloated. To fix this, sand the wood down to match the nonswollen area. Then, sand the remaining parts of the furniture piece to ensure it's even. 

If you're having difficulty smoothing the wood, there is another step you can try. Use bleach and water on the damaged section and then let it dry completely. Once dry, try sanding it again. Furniture oil can help correct any discoloration that resulted from sanding or water damage.

As a general rule, water-damaged wood furniture is typically not salvageable after 24 hours in water. 

Leather Furniture

Leather furniture can be difficult to clean, as mold and mildew grow well on leather. If your leather furniture has water damage, the first thing you should do is dry it with a fan. Once completely dry, use saddle soap and a sponge or brush to clean any mildew or mold growth. 

Mattresses

Because mattress material is especially porous, it creates the perfect environment for mold to grow. Mattresses are generally difficult to restore after significant water damage. If you have a box spring though, you will need to replace it immediately. 

How Do Professionals Salvage Your Furniture?

Once they've determined the extent of the damage, the water involved, and the furniture's material, they can begin restoration. First, all pieces of furniture need to be completely dry. Depending on the material, this can take longer for some pieces. They can assist the drying process by using large fans to move warm air around and through the furniture. 

As these fans work to evaporate the water, they use a dehumidifier to capture it. This ensures the furniture no longer has any water trapped inside. For porous materials, this is crucial for preventing mold growth.

After they have successfully dried your furniture, they will begin cleaning and sanitizing it. By the time they're done, your furniture should be as good as new.

Restoring Wooden Furniture

If your wooden furniture needs significant repair, professionals can help. Your furniture will undergo the following process:

• Disassembly. The glue and binding that holds your wooden furniture together are likely damaged. A professional will disassemble the furniture and clean it thoroughly before drying it completely. 
• Reassemble. Once it's completely dried, a professional will reassemble your wooden furniture.
• Finish. A professional will likely remove your furniture's finish in order to sand out any damage. After putting it back together, they will apply a new finish to the wood so that it matches the original color.

Need Help Recovering Water-Damaged Furniture?

Don't let water damage take away your furniture. Steam Smart Pro can help you save your furniture if you're in the Tucson area. Our team of restoration experts can assess the damage to your furniture and determine if it's salvageable or not. Then, we'll set to work cleaning and disinfecting your furniture so that it's as good as new. If you have water-damaged furniture, don't wait; call (520) 416-4308 now. We offer same-day service and are available when you need us most. Reach out and learn more today.

Did you discover water damage, but you're unsure if it's new or not? Learn how to tell if water damage is new or old.