The problem with flood damage on furniture is that furniture requires expert intervention to implement the restoration procedures. Furthermore, furniture restoration requires the use of the right tools. Restoration attempts by an untrained or inexperienced individual can result in the permanent damage of the item.



Before any restoration is even attempted on a piece of furniture that underwent flood damage, it is advisable to assess the damage, the possible cost of restoration, as well as the value of the item. If the item may be replaced at a comparatively lower cost, or if the cost is only slightly higher than what might be needed for restoration, then it might be better to simply replace the item.

There are, however, certain items that cannot be simply replaced. Examples of these are antique furniture, a family heirloom, or any item with sentimental value. Some people would be willing to spend a fortune to restore such items.

In certain cases, the extent of flood damage may be too bad to be salvaged. Attempting to restore furniture that has been submerged in floodwaters may be futile. If the water was clean, although this rarely if ever happens, then the furniture might be salvaged by cleaning and drying.

Another factor to consider before trying to restore furniture is the material with which it is made of. Some materials are practically waterproof, while others are simply too sensitive to water. These types of materials can be severely damaged by even moderate dampness.

Flood damaged veneered furniture is one type that would usually be impractical to salvage. Veneered furniture has particle boards and fiber cores that tend to swell immediately when wet or damp. The veneered ridges will also tend to come apart easily. A rule of thumb is that if veneered furniture is submerged in water for at least 24 hours, then the extent of flood damage will be impossible to remedy.

If the veneer is only loose in some parts of the furniture, the veneer in these parts has to be cleaned and pressed to be re-flattened. Pressing has to be done for several hours until it can be ready for gluing. Utmost care should be made when gluing to prevent the veneer from shifting.

In most cases, restoration of flood damaged veneered furniture should be left to the experts who have enough experience and the right tools.

Most furniture are made of wood. When subjected to flood damage, this type of material has a tendency to be deformed. Warping, swelling, and staining are some of the structural damages that a wooden piece can undergo after being ravaged by water.

It is not enough to simply dry furniture made of wood. If drying is not done gradually, the wood may crack, warp, or split.

After being submerged in water, white spots may appear on the surface of wooden furniture. This can be removed by rubbing with a damp cloth dipped in turpentine, which should be wiped dry immediately after. Once the color is restored, the surface may be polished with wax.