Floods are no fun, no matter what the cause. Damage to your home and belongings can be almost as devastating and extensive from a burst water line as from a rising river or a leaking roof during the storm of the century. There may be ways, however, to restore or salvage furniture, depending on the extent of damage and how quickly you are able to take action. If you wake up to find that a washer hose has flooded an entire floor of your home, or you step out of bed onto soggy carpet, first find the source of the problem and stop the flooding. Next, move quickly to document the damage and prevent further destruction.
Salvage Furniture Logically
There are a series of logical steps to follow: First, take pictures. Document the extent of damage for insurance claims and to facilitate repairs. Not all damage is caused by standing water, however. Bacteria, molds, and mildew thrive in moist, humid conditions, and
can start growing within hours under the right conditions. Wood absorbs moisture in many ways to weaken joints, cause warping and twisting, affect strength and destroy the finish. When there is mud or contaminated water, any salvage becomes more difficult.
Assess Damage, Separate Items
Valuable antiques and family heirlooms are worth trying to save. Even some upholstered items can be dried out and sanitized if they’re not too badly damaged. Get estimates and make decisions based on value and cost to repair, rather than emotion. Separate anything you want to try to salvage from those items that are to be trashed. Weigh the advantages of using
insurance money to replace rather than repair. It’s a matter of prioritizing your time and effort, and refinishing can become a long and arduous process.
Be Patient
Whether you deal with the effects of flooding yourself or call in a professional, the actual “drying out” is likely to take some time. Just how long it takes will vary based on how much water was involved, and whether the home’s structure was damaged. If water was mopped up quickly, and mold remediation was effective, it is likely that any furniture to be saved can also be repaired quickly. You don’t want to speed up the process by moving damp furniture into the sun, though, or by turning up the heat. And you won’t want to begin repairs until wood and fabric are completely dry. Professional advice is often the best course of action, and our team at
Zona Restoration stands ready to help, whenever you need restoration services.
Contact us today if you are in need of flood or water damage repair.