Repairing Flood-Damaged Wooden Furniture
Wooden furniture damaged by floods can best be
salvaged through slow drying and proper repair.
Submerged furniture
1. Take furniture outdoors and remove as many drawers,
slides and removable parts as possible. Drawers and doors
will probably be stuck tight. Do not try to force them
out from the front. With a screwdriver or chisel, remove
the back and push out the drawer from behind.
2. After you have removed movable parts, clean off mud
and dirt, using a hose if necessary.
3. Take all furniture indoors and store it were it will
dry slowly. Furniture left in the sunlight to dry will
warp and twist out of shape.
4. When furniture is dry, reglue it if necessary. You
will need equipment and clamps to reglue some pieces.
Before you start, decide whether you have the time,
equipment and ability to do the work. Consult an
experienced carpenter if necessary.
To re-glue loose joints or rungs, scrape out old glue so
the area will be as clean and free of glue as possible.
Use a white all-purpose glue, following directions on
container. Hold part together with rope tourniquets or
C-clamps. To prevent damage from ropes or clamps, pad
these areas with cloth.
Damp furniture - removing white spots
White spots or a cloudy film may develop on damp
furniture that has not been submerged. To remove white
spots:
1. If the entire surface is affected, rub with a damp
cloth dipped in turpentine or camphorated oil, or in a
solution of 1/2 cup household ammonia and 1/2 cup of
water. Wipe dry at once an polish with wax or furniture
polish.
2. If color is not restored, dip 3/0 steel wool in oil
(boiled linseed, olive, mineral or lemon). Rub lightly
with the wood grain. Wipe with a soft cloth, and re-wax.
3. For deep spots use a drop or two of ammonia on a damp
cloth. Rub at once with a dry cloth. Polish. Rubbing
cigarette ashes, powdered pumice, or a piece of walnut
into spots may also help remove them.
4. If spots remain after all efforts to remove them, the
piece should be refinished.
Veneered furniture
If veneer is loose in just a few places:
1. Press veneer back in place.
2. Wrap area with a strip of cloth so as not to damage
finish.
3. Dry for about a week in warm, dry, well-ventilated
place. Do not dry in direct heat or sunlight.
4. When piece is thoroughly dry, remove cloth. If
veneering doesn't stay in place, apply a good quality
glue and wrap again.
Repairing badly damaged veneered furniture requires
special skill and tools. Unless you are an experienced
woodworker don't attempt the job yourself. Take the
furniture to a cabinetmaker, or have your dealer return
it to the factory for repair.
If insurance allows part value on flood-damaged
furniture, it may be financially worthwhile to apply the
money to new articles, rather than pay for extensive
repairs.