Updated at: 05-07-2022 - By: cnbusinessnews

When dealing with a bloated wood table, the first step is to dry it out. Swollen wood furniture can be fixed by following the instructions below. The cost of repairs was also included in our list of tips for protecting your wood table.

How do wood tables get swollen?

Swollen wood tables are caused by water absorption. Condensed water from a cold beverage or a water-filled vase is to blame for this condition. Swelling can still occur even if the water does not come into direct contact with the table.

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Swelling is an issue in and of itself, but it doesn’t end there. As a result of swelling, the wood may split or come free. It’s a big deal when the wood splits or comes loose.

Steps In Repairing Water Damaged Swollen Wood Table

Step #1. Dry the table

If your table has been damaged by water, ensure sure it is completely dry before beginning any repairs. You should also relocate it to your working area because you’re going to make a mess when you fix it.

Step #2. Protect yourself

Put on safety gear after cleaning the table. A dust mask, safety goggles, and rubber gloves are included.

If your table has been damaged, inspect it for mold and mildew. Keep in mind the swelling areas of your tabletop.

Step #3. Sand the wood table

Sand the wood table to restore its texture after you’ve assessed the situation and taken appropriate safety precautions. For best results, pay special attention to the swollen regions when sanding the table. Wipe the sawdust from the furniture after sanding it.

Step #4. Clean the table

Clean up the table once you’ve sanded it. Dip the scrub brush into a solution of bleach and water.

Scrub the wood with a stiff brush until it is spotless. Mold and mildew can also be treated with the bleach and water solution. To dry the hardwood furniture after washing, use a microfiber towel.

Step #5. Fix the color and moisturize

Once the table has been sanded and cleaned, apply furniture oil to fix the table’s color. In order to restore the original color of your furniture, apply multiple coats of paint.

Afterward, allow the table to dry before moving on. Protect your wood from water damage by moisturizing it.

Clean the wood table with a microfiber cloth after applying moisturizer. Allow the wood to dry after it has absorbed the moisturizer.

Step #6. Polish

To make a DIY polish, combine one cup of mineral oil with one cup of white vinegar. Wipe the DIY polish off the wood with a fresh microfiber towel.

Follow the wood’s grain by sanding and polishing. After that, use a buffing cloth to remove any remaining polish.

Care of Wood Dining Tables

Environment

Dining tables made of wood are particularly vulnerable to the damaging effects of high or low room humidity. Keep your table out of direct sunlight to prevent fading and cracking of the wood. Radiators and fireplaces, as well as direct sunlight and heat, can cause warping and cracking of the wood. To ensure that the air around your wood table has the ideal amount of moisture, keep the humidity in your home between 40 and 45 percent. Wood can crack or swell if the relative humidity is too low (less than 40%) or too high (more than 45%). Using a humidifier plus an air conditioner or dehumidifier can help keep the humidity level in your home at a more comfortable level.

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Dusting, Cleaning and Polishing

Rubbing a dry towel across a dusty wood dining table may result in surface scratches that require touch-up work to restore. You can instead use a dampened piece of fabric, like an old baby diaper, T-shirt, or cheesecloth to remove dust. Rotate your dusting cloth regularly as you softly scuff your table. Dust at least once a week, and more frequently if necessary. To avoid ruining your dining table permanently, avoid using furniture polishes that include silicones. To remove filth and grease, use a nonalkaline soap and water combination. To avoid water damage, wipe the wood down as soon as possible with a soft, dry towel. Every year, use a strong carnauba wax to keep your dining room table looking new.

Surface Protection

Dining tables can get scorched if hot pots or plates are placed directly on top of them. Protect your tabletop from damaging UV radiation by covering it with a tablecloth. Make sure to protect your tablecloth from dings, scratches, and marks by placing a felt tabletop pad under it. Liquid-proof table pads also exist to protect surfaces from splatters. In addition to hot pads and table runners, you may also use coasters and placemats to protect your wood tabletop. With a custom-fitting glass piece, you can preserve your dining table while allowing you to appreciate its natural wood grain at the same time.

Repair

Dining tables made of wood should be cared for with caution to avoid damage. Spills of fluids or food should be cleaned up right away. Mayonnaise can be used to remove water stains from a wooden tabletop if you locate them. The mayonnaise often removes the water rings because they are in the wax and not the wood. To erase burn marks, use an extra-fine, dry steel-wool soap pad to gently rub over the burned area. A furniture touch-up marker or crayon in a matching wood tone can be used to hide unsightly blemishes.

Ways to protect wood table

Use an oil finish

Linseed oil and tung oil are two of the best oil finishes for wood. They can also be used to spruce up and protect your tables. Using a combination of linseed oil and tung oil can help to reduce stickiness and speed up drying time.

Use sealants

Sealants like lacquer, polyurethane, and varnish can be used for additional waterproofing protection. Sealants can be applied on sanded wood by spraying or brushing.

Sealants should be applied in a temperature-neutral atmosphere. Shaking the bindings will cause air bubbles to form, which will remain visible on the wood even after drying.

Oil-based polyurethanes are the most long-lasting option. However, cleaning up after would be more difficult than with water-based polyurethane. When it comes to varnishes, spar varnish is ideal for inside furniture, while marine varnish is best for outdoor furniture.

Finally, a coat of lacquer shields the wood from moisture and damage. Make sure the space is well-ventilated during lacquering because it releases fumes.

Use stain sealants

The purpose of stain sealants is to color your wood while also making it water resistant. Waterproofing and restoring furniture may be done more quickly with this method in mind.

You can choose from three stain-sealing products. These are stain sealants that are water, oil, and alkyd-based.

In terms of indoor tables, alkyd-based ones are better suitable. Finally, stain sealants must be reapplied every one to two years.

Costs of repairing water-damaged wood tables

Repairing damaged wood tables can be expensive, and the extent of the damage is a factor. For refinishing, the typical cost is $330 to $908.

Hourly rates for professionals might be anywhere from $40 to $100 per hour. If water damage to your home is caused by an accident, most ordinary insurance policies will pay for it.

It’s always best to get the full picture by speaking with your insurance provider. Your lawyer may be able to assist you in filing an insurance claim.

FAQs

How do you repair a water damaged wooden table top?

A spoon is all that is needed to mix equal amounts of vinegar and olive oil together in a shallow dish. Apply the mixture to the damaged area with a delicate cloth, following the grain of the wood. With a dry, soft cloth, work the oily solution into the wood, rubbing with the grain, to buff and polish it.

How do you remove swelling from wood?

To dry and cure swelling regions of wood, expose them to heat. For two to three hours, place the furniture in direct sunlight or near a heating vent to properly dry the wood. As soon as the wood dries, move it away from direct sunshine or heat.

How do you fix a bubble in a wood table?

Slice the blister open with a razor knife to fix a veneer blister. Before applying the veneer, apply yellow carpenter’s glue with a glue syringe or toothpick. Spread the adhesive by lightly pressing down on the blister. Clamp the blister flat after you’ve repaired it with wax paper and a flat wood block.

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How do you fix a warped table?

To dry the wet towels and bow, place a heat lamp directly on the table or let the table rest in the sun. If the bow is particularly severe, it may take anywhere from three or four days to a week or more of wetting the towels and tightening the clamps. Wait for the warp to straighten before removing the towels, battens, and heat source from the area.

How do you flatten wood?

Changing the moisture content of the wood on one side is necessary to straighten a warped board. Look for the interior of the “C” or cup on your bent board. Your board’s wood fibers on this side have dried out and shrunk. The board will flatten more easily if you use water to ease the stress.

How do you fix indentations in hardwood floors?

The dent may need to be filled with epoxy, wood inlay, or lacquer lay-in if it is too deep. The dent may have to be replaced with a new board then sanded and refinished to match the rest of the floor.

Does hot water pop dents?

To remove a dent from a car or truck bumper, use hot water to loosen the dent’s grip on the plastic. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and use that to flush out the infection. Warming up the plastic makes it pliable, which makes it easier to remove the ding.

Conclusion

It’s not difficult to mend a bloated wood table after it’s been damaged by water. It’s still a good idea to safeguard your wood table from water damage. You can save money on repairs and restoration by following our advice and keeping them dry.