Learning how to fix furniture at home is a valuable skill, but you must also know when to replace water damaged couch.
Factors like the extent of the damage and the material the couch is made of can affect whether you can repair it or you should toss it out. You must check for signs of water damage and know when your furniture should go to the garbage.
What Causes Water Damage To Your Couch?
Water damage can have several sources at home; it can come from leaks or massive spills. However, flooding usually causes severe damage to your floor, walls, and furniture.
Hurricanes, rain, and seawater can all wreak havoc on your home.
Couches and chairs feel the most severe effect due to the materials they are made of. Wood will rot after being exposed to moisture for a long time, and the cushions may hold water.
Stains and mold growth are common signs of water damage on your furniture. You may also notice some bulging, discoloration, and peeling on your couch after some time.
Safety Precautions After A Flood Or Water Damage
Floods are stressful for homeowners; you worry about saving your furniture while keeping yourself safe. You must follow a process to save as many things as possible and keep your loved ones safe.
1. Secure your home
Check for holes, cracks, and other structural damage. This will ensure that your home is safe before you enter again.
2. Ask for help from your insurance company
Contact your insurance agent and ask if your policy covers flood damage. You may be able to save some furniture with this perk.
Flood damage insurance ensures you will receive some money due to your circumstances. Here is a guide to know how do companies reimburse water damaged furniture.
3. Remove standing water and wet contents
Use a pump to remove all the stagnant water from indoors. Once you’ve cleared it out, you can start removing your wet furniture for repair or disposal.
4. Contact a restoration company
This company will help you salvage your things and guide you on where to start with the home repair.
When To Dispose Of Your Couch
Parting with your couch can be painful, especially if it’s been in your home for a long time. However, it’s not safe to keep the furniture around when it’s moldy and severely damaged.
You must look for several factors to know if you should let go of your couch.
1. What kind of water damaged it?
Floodwater has different categories, and the type in your home can determine if you need to repair or dispose of your couch.
Clean water
This water comes from breaks in your pipes. It’s used in the supply line, so the water is clean.
Clean water doesn’t have any dangerous microorganisms, so you don’t have to worry if this water floods your home.
You can quickly dry and repair your couch with this water.
Gray water
This water is a little riskier than clean water. It can come from the toilet, sink, or bathtub. You will need to thoroughly disinfect your couch if it’s wet with gray water.
Smaller items like pillows or some sheets will need to be thrown away.
Black water
This water has the highest contamination rate. It comes from groundwater, toilets with feces, or sewage.
Black water carries several harmful bacteria that can bring disease and infection; you must dispose of your couch when it contacts this water.
2. What is the couch made of?
Besides the water, the couch’s material can factor in the severity of the water damage. You must know what your furniture has to see if it can be repaired or not.
Hardwood
Couches with hardwood can be quickly restored. You must dry it for 24 to 48 hours before using it again.
Make sure there isn’t excessive mold growth when you do your repairs.
Upholstery
Upholstered couches are challenging to repair and will probably have to be thrown away. Once you know your furniture has been soaking for more than 24 hours, there’s no hope of saving it.
However, you may repair your furniture if it’s suffering lighter damage. Here’s an extensive guide on how to fix water damaged upholstery couch.
Mold is the final sign that you must discard your furniture. Once you see growth on your couch, throw it away.
Laminate
Some cheaper couches use laminate wood for the base. However, it’s not very resistant to floods and severe water damage.
Once you see that the wood has become delaminated, you must throw your couch out. The wood will absorb moisture, and it will be challenging to repair.
How To Dispose Of Your Couch
You may think throwing away a couch is just like your regular trash, but there are specific guidelines you must follow. Furniture usually has a particular disposal area to handle the parts correctly.
Check with your state laws regarding furniture disposal before throwing your sofa out.
Conclusion
Floods and leaks can be stressful, especially when you know your furniture is damaged. Homeowners always try their best to save their things, but it’s essential to know when to replace water damaged couch.
You will keep your loved ones safe, and you can start on your home renovations.