An unexpected flood can ruin the wooden furniture in your home, especially if you weren’t able to reposition the furniture in time. In the wake of the flood, evaluate the furniture affected by figuring out the value of the item versus restoration costs. Fortunately, the nature of wood allows it to be more resistant to water damage than most furnishings, but it can warp due to moisture.
With solid wood furniture, the first step is to clean and dry it so that you can assess the damage. Spray the item with a hose to clear away all floodwater residue, then remove moisture by wiping it dry. Use alcohol or turpentine on a cloth to remove traces of white mildew spots. Now, move the furniture to a well-ventilated space and allow air to circulate around the furniture. Placing fans the space to circulate the air will help. If the floor is still damp in that area, place blocks or foil under the items to protect them. Don’t place the items outside, as the sun can make warping worse or simply cause the wood to crack.
The drying process of wood furniture may take anywhere from several weeks to a few months. Only when the furniture is completely dry can you begin to restore and refinish it.