Unfortunately, a recent series of unexpected storms have caused a lot of local flooding! With so many individuals and communities in the Madison area being affected, we wanted to share tips on how to salvage your furnishings.
- Time is of the essence! Evaluate quickly and be sure to bring a camera to document damage to assist you in filing a claim with your insurance.
- Create zones of salvageable items versus pieces that must be thrown.
- Take into account the cost of the piece and if its worth trying to restore.
- Move salvageable furniture to a dry area or if it’s too heavy, place aluminum foil or wood blocks under the legs to raise it off of the wet flooring.
- Upholstery -
Upholstered furniture, including mattresses, that has been sitting in water for too long may be impossible to save and also pose a serious threat to your health because water encourages the growth of bacteria, mold and mildew.
- If you only experienced slight flooding, begin by separating colored upholstery to prevent the color from bleeding.
- Upholstery is naturally absorbent so it likely harbors contaminants from the flood and will probably need to be thrown away unless it’s antique or very valuable.
- If you decide to keep your furnishings, its best to have them professionally cleaned to ensure a thorough inspection.
- Wood Furniture -
Hardwood pieces should be able to be restored after being dried out although joints or veneers may have to be re-glued. Water will cause warping in manufactured wood products like plywood and MDF.
- Be aware that solid wood products can take up to a few weeks to completely dry and be prepared for restoration.
- White mildew spots can be cleaned with a mixture of equal parts household ammonia and water.
- Avoid direct sunlight which will cause further warping during the drying process.
- Cream wood restorers with lanolin will help restore the finish on solid wood furnishings.
- For heavily damaged wood furniture, speed up drying by removing all parts that can be easily disassembled, like back panels, drawers, and doors.