How To Repair Water Damaged Wood In Bathroom In 5 Easy Steps

Wood gives the bathroom that earthy yet cozy vibes, until something goes wrong. Here’s how to repair water damaged wood in bathroom in just several steps. This might be one of the most productive endeavors you can do now as you enjoy quality time at home.

Fixing your comfort room is a fun project but not everyone likes to deal with mold and rotted woods. However, with just following the right instructions, you won’t be facing the same problem twice.

how to repair water damaged wood in bathroom

 

Signs of water damage

Water damage is not something you can encounter every day but there are signs that it is lurking around your space. These will give you clues about the problem so better keep your eyes open.

  • Foul smell (when the smell is not pleasant, damage may be present)
  • Mildew and recurrent mold (these usually occur because of excess water so they are big clues)
  • Loose walls (walls should be sturdy, right?)
  • Spongy and soft floor (when your bathroom floor is not carpeted but feels soft and spongy, be alarmed!)
  • Gaps in the tub, tile, or caulk (gaps may mean leaks, so what now?)

Once you have observed these signs, you should act upon the problem. It is either you wait for the worst incidents to happen or work on it now.

Since some areas of our bathrooms are rarely seen, we are usually unaware that there have been damages caused by excess water. This is why it is important that we regularly check and maintain not just our comfort rooms but all parts of the house.

 

Repairing Water Damaged Wood In Your Bathroom

Now, let’s get the work started! Get your tools and body ready and begin.

Note: There are materials that you will need to prepare but remember that above everything, safety must be present.

 

Step #1. Identify the cause of the damage

Before doing anything, it is important that we first identify the cause of the damage. Usually, it is because of too much water pooling in the area, poor ventilation, or constant splashing of water. Once you have determined the cause, the project will be more effective and will also prevent other problems from occurring.

 

Step #2. Rip off any flaking or loose paint or stain

In the area of damage, it is most likely that the paint or any type of covering is flaking out because of the damage. These have to be torn off to have a clear view of the extent of the damage and to remove traces of the problem.

 

Step #3. If mold is present, apply treatment

Usually, antifreeze is used to treat mold. It is essential to be very careful when using it as it is fatal to humans and animals.

If antifreeze is not available, you can use a borax solution as an alternative. It works just as fine as the other but is just a little bit more pricey.

 

Step #4. Treat the wood

If you notice that the wood color has become darker, you have to treat it a little more. This is because it shows that the damage was too bad.

You first have to sand the wood and afterward  apply bleach so you can pull that darkness out of the wood. You wouldn’t want the wood to look old and shaggy, right?

 

Step #5. Seal and coat the wood

After the wood has been treated, cleaned, and dried, it is now time to apply a sealer or stain and a top coat. Sometimes, a simple touch-up method would do. However, they may be times when it pays to treat and seal the whole area to achieve that overall fresh look.

 

Tips you should know

Repairing water damaged wood is not exactly the easiest thing to do so here are some extra tips to help you.

  • There may be cases that are extreme and are beyond your capability. In this situation, it is best to ask for professional help.
  • Water damage may be caused by excessive moisture so you may want to check your home’s humidity. You can dial it down if necessary to avoid further problems down the road.
  • If water is condensing at your bathroom windows, you will probably have to update your exhaust fan.
  • When working with tiles or tubs, make sure that the areas around them are properly caulked to prevent water from leaking in. This will not just prevent rotting but also various water issues.

 

Conclusion

You may think that regular checking and maintenance of the bathroom may be a hassle, but it will keep you from bigger nuisances. You can mark your calendar twice annually to schedule maintenance. It will not take you the whole day to check, so why not?

The moment you notice the wood looking worn out or turning darker than usual, you must know that there is an issue. There is no perfect timing for acting on it now, and learning how to repair water damaged wood in bathroom is one big step to doing it. Go and bring back the glory of the most comfortable space at your home.

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