Introducing moisture, whether in the form of a spillage or humidity levels can have several significant effects on timber furniture, impacting its appearance, structural integrity, and overall longevity. The finishing process used at Coastwood Furniture has good protection against moisture, and if spills are mopped up immediately there shouldn’t be a problem with the surface, but there are a couple of common issues we hear about.
- Water Stains and Rings
Small whitish rings or stains can develop from placing cold or hot cups directly on wooden surfaces. Condensed moisture (cold) or steam (hot) pushes into the clear finish causing it to turn a white or milky grey. If you catch this soon enough, it can sometimes be repaired with an iron and a non-abrasive cloth:
- Step 1: Set the iron to its lowest heat level and lay the cloth across the ring. Ensure all steam modes on the iron are off to avoid creating additional stains.
- Step 2: Gently run the warm iron over the fabric, moving in the same direction as the grain.
- Step 3: Lift the cloth periodically to check if you've made progress, about every five passes. The finish should gradually release the trapped moisture, reducing the watermark.
To prevent furniture water damage, we always recommend using coasters and placemats to protect your furniture. A simple rule to follow is “If it’s too hot for your hand, it’s too hot for your furniture.”
- Cracking and Splitting of the Finish
Cracking can occur when moisture is left sitting on a timber finish or due to multiple spills over time. The moisture eventually soaks through the finish and enters the timber, causing the wood to swell and the paint or lacquer to crack.
Most domestic furniture is finished with a single pack, pre-catalyzed lacquer, which offers good moisture resistance. However, if you’re planning on placing your furniture in an area prone to moisture, then it’s a good idea to check in with the manufacturer to see if they can finish your furniture with a two-pot polyurethane (hardener mixed with the polyurethane.) This will provide a far superior moisture-resistant surface.
Coastwood Furniture designs most of its pieces with easily removable tops, allowing for straightforward repair by a local repair agent or directly through Coastwood, should you have this problem.
- Bending and Bowing
Timber movement occurs when the humidity level in the environment is imbalanced with the moisture level in the wood itself. If the humidity level is too high, the timber will take in moisture and expand. If it is too low, the timber will dry out, causing it to crack and split.
So why might this be happening to my furniture?
- The timber used wasn’t dried correctly or was dried too much.
- The finish on the furniture wasn’t suitable.
- Your home environment is very humid or very dry.
- The furniture is exposed to extremes, in heat, light or moisture (fire, sunlight, air conditioner, open doors/windows).
Slight timber movement is not an unusual occurrence and there will often be an initial period when you purchase new furniture where it will settle into its new environment. If the furniture movement is not extreme, we suggest giving it a month or so before becoming too concerned. At Coastwood we work on having all our timber dried to 12-15% moisture content to minimise movement after the furniture is assembled.
When we have complaints from customers about timber movement, we often find that products have been stored in a damp room or an environment that is kept closed up for long periods with extremes in temperature (cold in the winter and hot in the summer).
By understanding these common issues and taking preventive measures, you can maintain the beauty and integrity of your timber furniture for years to come.
