What does water do to furniture?

Author: Reyes Altenwerth  |  Last update: Wednesday, July 2, 2025

Water damage typically includes surface mold growth, splitting and deformation of wood members, lifting of veneers, staining of finishes, and failure of glue joints. In most cases, a conservator will ultimately be needed to treat water-soaked furniture and wooden objects.

Is furniture ruined if it gets wet?

Water damages wood furniture more readily than trees because furniture is typically made from processed wood with finishes that can be compromised by water, leading to swelling, warping, and eventually rotting.

How long does it take for water to damage furniture?

Water Damage Within 1 to 24 hours:

Within just a single hour up to a day after your home has been exposed to water, it will begin to cause damage. This is when drywall begins to bulge and break, furniture begins to swell and crack, and metal surfaces begin to tarnish.

What does water damage on furniture look like?

Signs of Water Damage on Wood Furniture:

Discoloration: Water stains often manifest as cloudy or white marks on the surface of the wood. Warping and Swelling: Wood absorbs water, causing it to swell and warp. This is noticeable through uneven surfaces or misaligned joints.

Can water damaged furniture be restored?

To restore water-damaged wood furniture, first dry the piece thoroughly. Light water stains can be removed with a mixture of baking soda and water, while deeper damage may require sanding and refinishing. For severely warped wood, replacement or professional repair may be needed.

Practical invention - Smart wooden furniture repair technique will help you reach level 100 Master

Is a couch ruined if it gets rained on?

Conclusion. Leather sofas are not necessarily ruined if they get wet, but they can be damaged if the proper steps are not taken to address the issue promptly. We recommend acting quickly and using appropriate techniques to dry your sofa.

How do you fix water-damaged swollen furniture?

In areas with extreme water damage where the wood may have started to rot, carefully remove any pieces beyond repair. Pack the area with wood filler, gently sanding with fine sandpaper between layers until you have a smooth and even finish. Once the filler is completely dry, prime and paint it.

How to tell if water damage is new or old?

A newer spot will be wet but your drywall or ceiling will still be strong, while an older spot will be mushy and squishy since your material would have absorbed a fair amount of water. Look for Rings: If you see a darker spot with zero rings around it, this indicates that the damage generated by water is new.

Will swollen wood go back to normal?

Yes, a swollen door will go back to normal. The swelling is caused by humidity and temperature changes, which cause the wood to expand and contract.

How do you save wet furniture?

It is also advisable to pressure treat the couch or chair using very hot water as it goes a long way to kill bacteria. After the piece has been hand dried, set up a couple of fans and a dehumidifier around it to make it completely dry. For the next day or two, all of the moisture should leave the furniture.

Does water permanently damage wood?

Water damage to wood can be permanent if left untreated.

How long does it take for water to cause structural damage?

Untreated water damage can lead to rotting wood, mold development, and more severe health problems within a few days. After a week, water damage can cause warping and swelling of windows, wood floors, and doors, as well as corrosion of metal components.

Can water damage be fixed?

During water damage restoration, mitigation is the first step and involves stopping the flow of water, removing the water and drying the property. The next step, remediation, involves cleaning, drying, deodorizing and sanitizing salvageable materials, as well as removing items that can't be repaired.

How long can furniture sit in water before being ruined?

Depending on the size of the item, wood furniture may be difficult to restore. Saturated wood left in water for days should likely be discarded. However, if your items have been water-damaged for less than 24 hours, they can be saved.

Will a wet couch mold?

Water Leaks and Intrusions: Leaks from windows, roofs, or plumbing can contaminate your furniture. When water infiltrates your couch's material, it creates a consistently moist environment that encourages mold growth.

What happens if wood gets wet overnight?

Damp wood is not a good thing in any household. It can not only damage your furniture, floor, and other surfaces but can also become a breeding ground for infestation of mold and other fungi, as well as stuff like termites.

How to remove water damage from wood?

Combine equal parts vinegar and olive oil. Apply with a cloth by wiping in the direction of the wood grain. If you need more grit, add some salt to the mixture. Add baking soda to make the solution more powerful.

Can you flatten swollen wood?

Cover the swollen furniture with a wet rag and set your iron to a low-temperature setting. Hold the iron down on the rag for a few seconds. Be careful not to hold the iron in the same place for too long as this could further damage the wood.

Will water warped wood go back to normal?

Applying additional moisture and heat to the opposite side of the warp can cause the wood to warp back into its original flat position, effectively “unwarping” the piece. Minor warping can usually be corrected with heat and moisture only, but for more severe warping, you may also need to apply pressure to the wood.

What does water damage look like on wood?

Staining. The most apparent impact of water damage is when wood goes through color changes. The edges of the panel might become a darker shade, or several panels in one particular area might become darker. The cause of this is mold infestation.

Can water damage fix itself over time?

Water damage does not resolve itself and often worsens over time. Professional water damage restoration is crucial to prevent mold growth and structural damage.

What not to do after water damage?

Here's What Not To Do After Water Damage in Your Property
  • DON'T Use Electronics. ...
  • DON'T Clean Up Contaminated Water. ...
  • DON'T Leave Wet Items Together. ...
  • DON'T Redecorate Right Away. ...
  • DON'T Attempt To Fix Soggy Ceilings Alone. ...
  • DON'T Delay Getting Help. ...
  • DON'T Do It All on Your Own. ...
  • Final Reminders.

Can water damaged furniture be repaired?

Minor water damage on wood tables can be reversed fairly easily. You can remove stains and light surface damage with a sandblock, then repaint and re-varnish the wood surface. For swollen and rotten wood, you can cut away the damaged parts and use a wood filler as long as the affected area isn't too much.

Is swelling of wood reversible?

Swelling increases until the fiber saturation point has been reached. Water added beyond this point remains as free water in the lumen and does not cause further swelling. This process is reversible and accounts for the dimensional changes that occur when wood comes into contact with moisture (Stamm 1964).

Is it bad if wood furniture gets wet?

There are many different ways that moisture can damage your wood furniture. Each way can cause unsightly and, in some cases, even permanent damage. And these issues, such as warping, cracking, water stains, mold/mildew, and rotting wood, are all a result of contact with moisture, in one way or another.

Previous article
Can you save a wilting cucumber plant?
Next article
Can a hot water heater cause a high water bill?