Water damaged furniture will continue to get worse until it can be restored.
Floods are unique among disasters when it comes to causing damage to your home. With a quick enough response, items like furniture and other belongings can be restored. It’s important to begin the cleanup process as soon as possible. The longer furniture stays wet, the more upholstery fabric will bleed, stuffing will mildew, and glue will dissolve. It’s best to leave the restoration process to experts, but there are a few things you can do while they’re on the way:
- Take photos of all damaged furniture before restoring or throwing anything away. You’ll need them for the insurance claim.
- Carefully evaluate items to see if they’re worth saving. Furniture has both retail and sentimental value, and both are important. You’re willing to spend money to save items that have been in the family for years.
- Move damaged furniture to a dry area so it can begin the drying process. If an item is too heavy, place it up on wood blocks to get it out of the water. The important thing is to stop the damaging effects of continued exposure to water.
- Wood furniture should be dried in a shaded, well-ventilated area. Direct sunlight can cause the wood to warp and crack, which increases the restoration difficulty.
- Don’t force open any doors, drawers or windows. The increased humidity causes wood to expand, and pulling on them can cause even more damage. Open as many doors and windows as possible, use fans and dehumidifiers, and wait.
If your home has suffered flood damage, call the expert craftsmen at Furniture Medic by Bob Llorente. They can restore and repair many types of furniture that has been damaged by natural disasters or vandalism. They can also efficiently salvage wooden furniture, hardwood floors, antiques, granite, marble, and more.
The cost to restore flood damaged furniture varies and depends on several factors, including use of upholstery, number of pieces to be restored, and furniture style. According to HomeAdvisor.com, the national average price to reupholster a piece of furniture was $654.
