6 Basic Steps On How To Repair Water Damaged Desk Easily

Moisture can ruin your desk, be it made from stone, marble, patio, or wood. That’s why it’s important to learn how to repair water damaged desk.

Remember when your mother told you to put a coaster under your glass? It is a friendly reminder to do it, folks. Cool drinks condensate, and those tiny beads of sweat trickle down to the surface of the desk.

how to repair water damaged desk

Repairs can involve a lot of labor and time. So, put on your garage pants to sundry, clean, and polish your desk. Find out if you can get insurance claims, too!

 

Effects Of Water-Intruded Furniture 

A hot day and a cold drink combination are causes for water rings over your table. This simple event can cause discoloration, stains, and scratches. Take note that water can flow inside the furniture.

Talk about pesky mildew infestation, they can also mess with the property. Thread-like strands called hyphae will crawl throughout and make an appearance. They look like imitations of little white dandelions but only with a weird stench.

Picture this, spring has just begun, and your house was submerged in flood. Well, an obvious sign you would notice is that the wood becomes feeble. Since it is saturated in water, the screws and joints are not as sturdy as before.

You must know the extent of the damage before preparing your tools. If you think it is far beyond reworking, it’s time to say goodbye to your precious desk.

 

6 Steps To Rework Your Water Damaged Desk

 

Step #1. Assess the type of water damage 

If caused by inundated water, there’s a chance that sewage infiltrated your desk. Asserted by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, there are three categories of water damage.

The first category goes under “clean water.” Plumbing pipes can leak inside the walls. On a good note, they do not pose any health threats.

The second category is renamed “greywater.” It means that contaminants are present in the water, such as chemicals not suitable for consumption. The third category presents “black water,” or sewage that gives you enough disgusting feels.

The second and third category is dangerous for your health. So, if those are the types of water damage your desk has, be careful in repairing it.

 

Step #2. Take the desk out for a sunbath

High humidity causes more rainstorms, and if you live in low-lying states, you might face flooding emergencies.

You sunbathe every time you go on a vacation getaway with your friends or your family. This time, however, you will take your water-damaged desk to a well-ventilated area to dry.

It would be best if you put it under direct heat. Any moisture will evaporate and thus will not disrupt the labor process.

 

Step #3. Remove mildew from the wood 

Fungi is not only unpleasant to the eyes but also for the furniture. Fungi can alter the chemical and physical properties of the structure, specifically wood-destroying fungi. So, prepare your bucket of warm water, detergent, and bleach.

Fill your bucket half-full of water and pour about two cups of bleach in there. Add some laundry detergent, too. Just stir until all is thoroughly combined.

Now, time to bring out your cleaning brush. Dip it first in the bucket and then scrub the surface of the desk. Scrub until there is no mildew visible.

 

Step #4. Bring out more cleaning solutions

Voila, molds and mildew are gone. You are off to remove water stains and any discoloration. Bring out your inner do-it-yourself artist by making your homemade cleaning solution.

First, combine two parts of water, one tablespoon baking soda, and one part distilled vinegar in a bowl. Stir thoroughly.

Dip a microfiber cloth in the solution. Rub the water stain gently in either counterclockwise or clockwise direction. Just continue rubbing the surface until there is no discoloration left.

 

Step #5. Do minimal repairs

Sometimes, your desk furniture will bloat because of water damage. Here, you will need a needle, wet rag, and iron. Do not forget your newspapers at the bottom of the table.

Use your needle to poke the bubble and create small holes. Next, put the wet rag over the swollen area. Make sure to squeeze the rag, so it is not too drippy.

Preheat the iron to low temperature and put it over the wet rag. It enables flattening the bubble.

 

Step #6. Polish the desk 

Sand the tabletop with sandpaper. If the scratches and decay are worse than expected, then you can use a sanding machine.

Sand it down until all old wood finish is erased. Next, get your brush and wood polishing compound.

Polishing your desk does not only give it a glossy and new look, but it also protects it from dust. Be careful not to over polish it, as industry experts suggest. Just paint enough finish, and you are good to go.

 

Conclusion 

Doing home remediations can be an uphill task. The great thing is that you won’t have to call a contractor for extra charges, because we have got your back by teaching you how to repair water damaged desk.

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