How To Repair Particle Board Water Damage In Step-by-step
Particle board is a common material used in many areas of the home. From kitchen cabinets to durable, lightweight furniture, it’s a material that you likely own. Accidents happen, and sometimes the particle board may experience water damage. When this happens, the surface will swell up and lose its smooth shape.
Thankfully, water damaged particle board isn’t too difficult to repair. In some cases, there may be enough damage that it requires new sheets of material. If so, call our experts at All Dry USA to help. We are a well-established restoration and repair services firm for residential and commercial clients.
If the damaged area is small, it may be an easy at-home fix. Follow our step-by-step instructions below to repair water-damaged boards in your home.
1. Dry the wet area
The first step toward repairing a water-damaged particle board is to dry the section that is wet. It does take a long time to dry naturally, so leave some time for this step.
If you’re in a hurry and want to speed up the process, you can use something like a hairdryer to speed up the process. Simply aim the hairdryer at the wet section. Hold it for a while so that the particle board has a chance to dry evenly.
Read more: How to repair water damaged wood floors
2. Buff off the raised area with sandpaper
Once the particle board has dried, the surface may be uneven. You will then buff off the raised area with some sandpaper. Buffing the damaged area will help level out your surface.
When you buff the particleboard, the dried portion will then be exposed. You’ll want to remove the damaged sections of the material
Note: medium-grit sandpaper should be used when removing damaged portions of the particle board. Finer grit sandpaper should be used when buffing to finish the repair.
Buffing the areas gives the sheets a smoother finish. You’re left with the option of finishing with a waterproof coating so that you don’t deal with the raised wet problem again.
If you choose to use a waterproof coating, you’ll need to set it aside to dry thoroughly before moving on to the next step. Use this time to clean up any lingering mess from the first two steps of repairing your particle board.
Read more: water damage on baseboards
3. Cut out damaged areas of the board with a knife
Once your waterproofed particle board has dried, or your material has been sanded down, you’ll remove the damaged parts of the particle board. Using a knife, cut out the swollen and damaged parts of the material.
Any sections that have turned into a powdery texture or gotten wet should be removed. Again, at this step, you want to give your board time to dry.
Use a vacuum tool to suck out any powdery sections left on the particle board. Anything left can damage the particle material from the inside out.
4. Add wood filler to the holes
Purchase a can of wood filler. Mix it together, following the instructions on the label provided. Using a knife or a scraper, apply the wood filler into the holes you have created. Use the tool to make sure it’s level with the rest of the board.
Scrape any excess filler out so that the entire particle board has an even surface.
5. Sand the area to finish the repair
Once your wood filler has dried, you’ll finish off with a fine-grit piece of sandpaper. This last sanding ensures that the whole completed board is even and smooth.
Now is a time that you can follow up with another coat of waterproof seal. This will keep your board from experiencing this damage again in the future.
Read more: How to repair water damage on laminate flooring
Conclusion
If the water damage is extensive, it may be more worth it to replace damaged sections with a new particle board entirely. Call our team at All Dry USA for professional repairs and installation. Our experts are ready to help you solve your water damage and particle board issues. Get in touch with us today to schedule an appointment!
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