The edges of the panels will be stained a darker shade or several panels in one area may darken, in contrast to the original color of the wood. This is a sign of mold infestation. When the tannins in the wood react with the minerals in the water, they develop a strong color that appears as spots.
Water damage on
hardwoods often peels off as stains and discoloration. In some cases, you will also notice lifting the floorboards and the nails that hold them.It's not a pretty sight at all and can eventually spread to nearby planks. Water damage to hardwood usually leads to discoloration and staining. You may notice that the floorboards and the nails that hold them are raised. Treating them right away might be better, as it could spread on nearby tables. Water damaged wood can be difficult to repair.
Although most wood finishes protect the surface, it is possible that the wood will be damaged by water. If you see white spots, stains, blush, or other surface discoloration, the wood is most likely being attacked by water. The sooner you deal with such damage, the cheaper and more permanent any repair will be. Termite damage gives a distinct appearance. Damage caused by termites and water can cause bubbles in the paint and peel off the wood.
It is very likely that you have termites if you detect mud tubes or galleries inside the wood. Each finishing repair work is unique, of course, so the first step is to thoroughly examine the problem. The chest cap shown here has whitish markings (also called blush or bloom) and dark gray and black discolorations. Usually there are white marks on the finish; dark discolorations from water indicate more significant damage, because they are down on the wood. Wood is a natural material and can be susceptible to mold and rot when exposed to water or too much moisture without protection. Wood can swell and move due to higher moisture content.
There are also cases where wooden furniture can have watermarks caused by the wood finish. Note that dark watermarks mean that water has already entered through the wood finish, while light marks indicate that the stain is still on the surface. That's why it's commonly used as an active ingredient in deck cleaners and why restorers use it to remove gray or black water stains on furniture (see “Oxalic acid breaks rust,” below). It is commonly available in oil and water based options and can provide wood with adequate protection against potential water damage.
If water damage persists for more than a week, structural damage, mold growth and biohazard contaminants will pose serious threats and risks to your family. No matter what type of wooden furniture you have, it is essential that you equip yourself with the useful information and tips you need to prevent you and your furniture from having any additional discomfort when you encounter water damage. In this situation, you will have to deal with water and termite infestation at the same time before repairing the damage. Knowing what kind of damage you have means putting the right people on the job quickly, thus avoiding higher costs and damages.
Dealing with water-related damage to wooden furniture can be frustrating, and water damage is unavoidable and unexpected. Water damage to your properties and belongings is one of the most stressful things a homeowner can experience. When noticing water damage, it would be ideal to immediately call your lawyer or insurance company to see if water damage is included in your insurance coverage. Although termites may look like water damage because their nests tend to have high levels of humidity, they should be treated differently.
Water can compromise wood structure, leading to mold growth and costly restoration efforts. For homeowners, it is vital to know how long it will take before wood is damaged by water to prevent it from rotting, find solutions, and establish some preventive measures. My advice with furniture is the same as with structural wood or generalized water damage (such as floors and walls). You can do a repair yourself and apply these tricks and tips to solve the problem with your furniture damaged by water, but in some cases, it may be too difficult to handle for a professional result.
It's important for homeowners to understand what wood water damage looks like so they can take action quickly if they ever encounter it in their home. Knowing how long it takes for wood to become damaged by water can help homeowners prevent further destruction from occurring.
