What Do You Do After a Flood?

While we’re fortunate to be citizens of a coastal state, we have the misfortune of yearly hurricanes.  Since 1999, hurricanes have cost residents over $31 billion in damage primarily from three storms:  Matthew, Floyd, and Florence.

And here we are, in the throes of hurricane season again—and if you live in the Southeastern US; you know the drill all too well. Be prepared: food—check, water—check, batteries—check, flashlights—check, the list goes on. For seasoned storm survivors, these all go without saying.

HOW WATER RESTORATION WORKS

We will:

• Swiftly evaluate your precious pieces to determine if they can be restored or should be discarded--many times, they absolutely can be restored.
  
• Work in concert with the restoration company and advocate on your behalf with the insurance adjuster to restore the items most treasured by you and your family.
• Remove the items that can be restored and bring them to our shop for restoration and mold remediation.
  
• Work miracles to bring your precious pieces back to life once again!

Water Damage—What You Should Know

The severity of water damage depends on the depth of water and the length of time the piece was submerged.  Most furniture will survive brief exposure to moisture, especially if the furniture was constructed from quality materials treated with moisture-resistant chemicals.  Simply, the sooner you act, the less damage your furniture will suffer. 

Some of the most dreaded outcomes of furniture exposed to water include mold; mildew; warping; separation of veneers; swelling of pieces such as legs and tabletops; split seams; and rotting.  If you suspect water damage, handle your furniture with extreme care.  Basically, isn’t not how wet it was but more importantly, how was it dried? Drying too fast can cause real problems. Large dehumidifiers can remove moisture too quickly, wreaking havoc. Do not force open or close the doors, drawers or any piece that ordinarily moves.  You will need to dry your piece as thoroughly as possible before you evaluate whether to salvage it or not. 

All Is Not Lost—We Can Help!

Water damage to furniture does not mean that the life of your piece is finished!  What lies beneath the surface holds new life that Mumford Restoration can resuscitate to its original beauty.  We remove damage to expose the “skin” of the piece just below the damaged exterior; apply preventive fungicide to treat any organic growth; and we completely refinish the piece to restore its face and its value.

Remember, too, that if your upholstery is water damaged, we can restore the fabric, stuffing, foam, and webbing right down to the bones of your piece to give it new vigor and value.  Our mission is to keep your heirlooms in the best shape possible and to restore and add life to the pieces that bring you the most joy.  We’re ready to help assess your restoration project!

For more information about restoring flood
or water damaged items
click here!