How to Salvage Your Furniture after a Flood

15 December 2017

There are many reasons why flooding occurs, and it also comes in different shape, form and amount. It might be due to severe weather conditions or a leak in the plumbing. What you need to think about following a flood is how to salvage anything that wasn’t damaged beyond repair, primarily your furniture.

As water damage can wreak severe havoc on your home, you are likely going to have to call in a restoration contractor like KIC Restoration to take care of your home’s infrastructure. But salvaging your furniture can be a less complicated process you can deal with on your own.

If flooding is a consequence of a storm or hurricane you would probably get a notification in advance to prepare and avoid as much destruction as possible. Get all the furniture to a safe space in your home like the upper floors or cover them to protect them from the water as much as possible. After the flood is finally over, the first thing you need to do is check is if it is safe to return. While you’re at it, make sure to wear proper clothing.

Another useful piece of advice is to bring a camera with you and take pictures of all the furniture because you will need to do a report for your insurance company.

When you’ve made sure that it is safe to enter and you’ve put on protective gear, you can start inspecting the furniture and roughly separate them into salvageable and unsalvageable.

Next, you can focus on the salvageable pieces of furniture and inspect if repairs would cost more than just replacing the items. Sentimental value also comes into play as you would want to save all the pieces that have been in your family for long, no matter the extent of the damage. But this is up to you.

Upholstered Furniture

Some types of furniture like upholstered furniture might be difficult to save especially if it has been in the water for too long. Chances are these items have already developed bacteria, fungi, mold, mildew, etc. This might have severe consequences to your health later on. You should move the furniture to someplace to dry. If it’s too heavy to move you can place aluminum foil or a similar material underneath it, just to keep it away from wet floors.

As mentioned above, upholstered furniture might cause problems because it is a great absorbent. It is particularly dangerous if it has been sitting for too long in contaminated water. If the flood wasn’t too big, you might still have a good chance of salvaging it. You should then remove the upholstery fabrics from the wood or any other colored parts to prevent color bleed. Then you need to dry it to the fullest to prevent mildew and mold from developing, which is likely to happen if the piece of furniture is more than 20% wet.

It is worth noting that this kind of furniture is very hard to salvage and the best and easiest thing to do is just to throw it all away unless of course it is antique or has a high value. Then it is best to hire a professional to do the job, as it would probably be necessary to completely strip it down and replace some parts.

Mattresses

Mattresses are also very difficult to handle. If the flooding wasn’t too severe, if the mattress hasn’t been soaked in water for too long, and if the water was clean it is possible to salvage it. The best thing to do is take it out and let the sun dry it naturally. You can use blocks to keep it above ground and a fan to speed up drying. If you sense a musty odor then mattress probably has mildew growing inside, in which case you’ll need the help of a professional to restore it.

If your mattress has been underwater for too long mold has likely already spread, and it is probably contaminated beyond salvation. The only thing you can do here is to replace it.

Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture might have the best chance to get salvaged especially if it wasn’t in the water for too long. It is possible to restore if the damage was not too big. It is crucial to clean it and dry it as much as possible to prevent mold and fungi development. Wiping and blotting can do the trick here, but only for furniture that was not in the water too long or was lightly damaged.

You can clean white mildew spots by using turpentine or a mix of water and ammonia. The sooner you start drying the furniture, the higher the chance of salvaging it.

Heavily Damaged Furniture

Heavily damaged furniture which was in the water for too long is a different story. The best plan is to separate all easily removable parts like drawers and doors. Avoid forcing them if they are stuck. Just let them dry out and you will be able to pull them out later on when bloating is reduced.

You can clean mud and dirt with a hose and then dry it in a room or other area with good ventilation. You should definitely avoid exposing it directly to the sun as it might cause it to deform. The process of drying takes several weeks or months. Only after it is completely dry can you start restoring the furniture.

Contact KIC Restoration Inc of San Diego at 12170 Tech Center Dr, Poway, CA 92064, USA; 858-859-1998 or visit kicrestoration to learn more.

Read More:

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

View all posts

5 good luck plants that deserves a place in your home

Plants and humans have a long mutual understanding relationship since the beginning of this civilization. Mother Nature has provided us a diverse range of flora that caters to our various requirements of nourishment, clothing, commercially important products, oilseeds and other such things for the growth of mankind. Not just that, there are other plants that are known to bring good luck, positive vibes, improved health and a host of other such benefits. These good luck plants need to be a part of every home due to their significance and importance. You need to grow these auspicious plants and also send good luck plant to other people. Check out these five best good luck plants that can help in transforming your home environment completely. The Lucky bamboo plant: It is one of the most importantly good luck plants that has a great significance in Chinese tradition. This lucky bamboo plant is a part of Feng Shui and is quickly adopted by the people in modern times. This good luck plant helps in keeping the family together and is an effective home décor item. If you are unable to find this lucky bamboo plant in your local nursery, you can easily buy good luck plants online through various stores. The Four Leaf Clover plant: This good luck plant is a native of the USA and consists of four miraculous leaves. The plant is a mutant variety of the normal clover plant that is found at rare places. The four-leaf clover is said to bring good luck or fortune and this sentiment is based on a 17th-century belief. According to the ancient belief, finding a four-leaf clover is said to bring a good thing for the person. Read More: How To Grow Tomatoes From Seed The Tulsi or The Holy Basil plant: Tulsi is one of the good luck plants that can be widely seen in numerous homes of Hindu families. It is considered as the wife of “Lord Krishna” and is meant as very sacred or pure. This good luck plant is said to possess magical medicinal properties and removes the negative energy from the homes. The significance of the basil plant is also mentioned in the religions like Islam and Christianity which considers it as a “divine plant”. You can even send good luck plant of basil to your close friends and relatives as an ideal gift. The Snake plant: This good luck plant is believed to absorb certain poisonous gases from the internal air of our home. Snake plant releases a large amount of water vapor and helps in maintaining the humidity in our surroundings. If you are thinking about how to get this plant, here is the solution for you. You can easily buy this plant from an online good luck plants store without any need to step outside. The Money plant: Money plant is an important member of the good luck plant family. It can be easily grown in a jug of water and are seen as creepers in various homes. You need to point the shoot of this money plant in the upward direction in order to bring wealth and good luck to your home. So, visit your nearest plant nursery or buy good luck plants online from a store to enhance the internal appeal and aura of your homes. Involve these good luck plants as a home décor item and experience their multiple benefits yourself. Read More: 3 Amazing Flower Street Garden – How To Design Gardening Tips To Improve Outdoor Space Does Organic Gardening Improve Soil Quality? How To Choose The Right Containers For Your Container Garden

How to Harvest and Preserve Dill for Year-Round Use?

The tender, fern-like leaves of dill almost beg to be touched. If you want to cook them, trim the fresh dill foliage and gather the seeds for pickling. Or you can chop the feathery leaves and yellow umbels for attractive bouquets of homegrown flowers. In addition, black swallowtail caterpillars love to feed on it. Its tiny yellow blooms are great at drawing in a wide range of pollinators. Dill grows as an annual for summer harvests in USDA Hardiness Zones 2–8. In other parts, it may self-seed and is hardy in the winter in Zones 9–11. Here is everything you need to know about how to harvest dill. Keep reading for a comprehensive guide. How to Harvest Dill? Fresh dill clips easily, but it soon starts to droop. Sounds familiar to Cilantro, right? Its flower umbels may look lovely in a mixed bouquet, but after a few hours, don't be shocked if they start to wilt. When harvesting dill for recipes, use it as soon as possible because its flavor starts to fade after a few days. Cut off the flower stalks of dill after the yellow blooms have faded but before the seeds start to ripen and come away from the umbel. Cover the entire flower head with a small paper bag that has a few tiny holes for ventilation. Hang the plant upside down in a cool, dry place. Watch for the seeds to fall and collect them in the bag's bottom. The seeds should be kept in a cool, dry, and dark area in an airtight glass container. When and How to Plant Dill? Dill grows best outside and is simple to start from seed. Plant the seeds directly into the ground, 1/4 inch deep and spaced 1 to 2 inches apart, in the springtime following the last frost. If you want the dill plants to be able to self-sow, plant the seeds in tufts so the seeds can fall and sprout the following year. Or you can plant them in rows spaced about 6 inches apart. You might want to think about succession planting if you want a reliable supply of dill. During the growing season, start by planting a small number of seeds from the packet at a time and then a few more every week. Typically, seeds take 7 to 14 days to germinate. Also, dill can be grown from transplants grown in nurseries planted in the ground or in containers in spring. You can plant dill outside a few weeks before the last predicted spring frost because it can withstand light frost. To achieve lush growth and stop crowded seedlings from producing seed heads, which stops the production of foliage, thinning is essential. Every 12 to 24 inches, reduce the number of seedlings to just the strongest one once they reach 3 or 4 inches in height. As they get bigger, some start to flop. Plants can be kept upright by placing a stake or a sturdy twig in the ground close to the plant's base. To loosely secure the plant to the stake, use garden twine. You can start the dill seeds indoors four to six weeks prior to the last frost. And you can move the seedlings to the ground once the risk of frost has passed. Transplanting mature dill does not work well, so plant your seedlings where they will be able to grow and thrive. Where To Plant Dill? Dill should be planted in a spot with well-drained soil and at least 6 to 8 hours of daily full, direct sunlight. Particularly for cottage gardens, the delicate foliage gives garden beds and borders textural interest. Choose a location for your dill that will shield it from the wind if possible. Just like spinach, high winds can easily damage its stalks if you do not stake the dill. You can plant dill's fragrant foliage in perennial garden container plantings. Or you can plant them alongside other herbs or vegetables in a traditional kitchen garden. In an edible garden, cruciferous vegetables such as Brussels sprouts, collard greens, broccoli, and cabbage are good companion plants for dill. Dill draws beneficial insects like ladybugs and bees and drives away common brassica pests like loopers and cabbage worms. But avoid planting dill close to carrots. Carrots can be stunted by dill, and because they are closely related, dill can cross-pollinate with carrots to produce inferior hybrid plants. Planting dill close to tomatoes is also not recommended. Mature dill will probably stunt your tomatoes' growth, even though some studies have indicated that tomatoes and dill can be beneficial companions when they are young. How to Propagate Dill? Seed is the most effective method of dill propagation. Cuttings can also propagate Dill, though this isn't as dependable. Seed: Direct sow the dill seeds in early spring at a depth of 1/4 inch in a prepared garden bed. Dill does not tolerate transplanting well. Thin the seedlings so they are 12–24 inches apart when they are 3–4 inches tall. Cuttings: Using shears or scissors, cut off the stem with at least 3 to 4 inches of new growth to take a dill cutting. Place the cutting in a water-filled container, making sure to remove any leaves below the water's surface, and allow the roots to grow for two to three weeks. Fertilizer and rooting hormones are not required. Plant the dill in a container or on the ground once the roots are 2 to 3 inches long. Is Dill a Type of Weed? No, I am not talking about WEED weed (read: marijuana). Although dill isn't technically a weed, some individuals and spice companies call the plant dill weed, possibly due to its feathery leaves. Dill weed is a dried or fresh foliage plant. Flower umbels are yellow and used to make dill seeds. How Should Dill Be Stored for Optimal Quality? You can keep fresh dill in the fridge by wrapping its leaves in a moist paper towel. Or you can tuck its stems into a container of water. Fresh dill can be frozen by submerging it in water in ice cube trays. Place the cubes in cooked dishes that have enough moisture to withstand them. Dill seeds and leaves can also be easily dried for later use, though the flavor is a lot more muted. Water and Soil Sow dill in soil that is moist but well-drained. If there is a lot of clay in your soil, add organic matter to the top few inches to aid in drainage. If you have trouble with poor soil drainage, plant this herb in raised beds or containers. Growing dill requires proper irrigation. As the seeds germinate, keep the soil evenly moist. Dill plants require one to two inches of rain or extra water each week once they begin to grow. Humidity and Temperature Dill tolerates temperatures as low as 25ºF, but 70ºF is the ideal temperature for it. Dill often bolts, sending up flower stalks to set seeds when temperatures rise. This annual herb dies after it flowers and produces seeds. Get rid of the flowers to prolong the plant's growing season. Apply Fertilizer While most herbs, including dill, don't require extra fertilizer, you can give them once or twice during the growing season by applying a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer. When planting, either mix a liquid fertilizer with water or etch a time-release fertilizer into the soil. Refer to the product label for instructions on how much to use. Trimming Dill should be pruned early in the growing season to prevent limb bending. Cut off the top leaves of the plant to promote more growth of the lower leaves. Food preparation and cooking can be done with anything that has been pruned. Repotting and Potting You can grow dill in pots on a sunny balcony or deck, even if you don't have an outdoor garden. Due to the deep taproot that dill plants have, choose a container that is at least 12 inches deep. Because clay and terracotta pots don't retain as much moisture as plastic or glazed ceramic pots. They are ideal for growing dill. Make sure the container you select has good drainage and is big enough to allow you to space your plants 12 to 24 inches apart. It is best to start over in a new, larger container. Especially if your dill plant outgrows its current one because it does not take well to transplant. If the temperature where you are planting is not too high, you can keep planting seeds into the summer. Types of Dill Dills can be of many types with each of their distinct looks and flavors. Here are the three different types of dill you can grow in your kitchen or backyard. Long Island Mammoth Also known as Long Island Mammoth this one is an old-time favorite. Its fern-like leaves can be dried and stored for a long time, or they can be harvested fresh. It produces big clusters of yellow flowers with flat tops. They turn into brown seed heads, and they can reach a height of five feet. Fernleaf Grown to a height of only 18 inches, Anethum graveolens, or Fernleaf, is a highly productive dwarf variety. It works well in container gardens or small in-ground beds. Its feathery, delicate foliage has a great flavor of dill. From midsummer into fall, it blossoms. Bouquet The 'Bouquet' cultivar produces plants up to thirty inches tall with fine bluish-green foliage. The enormous, six-inch-diameter yellow flower heads are ideal for drying, creating an enduring arrangement. Or you could chop them for fresh floral arrangements. How to Keep New Dill Fresh? Dill weed quickly wilts after harvesting and gradually loses its distinctive flavor and aroma. If you know how to store your freshly harvested dill, this shouldn't be a problem. Here are two straightforward techniques that you can use: Put It in the Crisper Drawer of the Refrigerator Loosely wrap the recently cut and cleaned leaves in damp kitchen towels before putting them in a container or sealed bag. Put the container in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator, which has a lower humidity than the other sections of the appliance. Utilize the herbs before they begin to wilt and dry out, which should happen in a few days. Put It in Water To make this method function, when harvesting the herb, you must cut off the entire stem. After gathering the stems, put them in a glass of water and seal the opening with a plastic bag. Every day, change the water. Unlike potatoes, dill leaves can remain fresh for up to a week when stored in this manner. How to Freeze Fresh Dill? Freezing is the best way to preserve extra dill for later use if you've harvested more than you can use at once or in a few days. Dill freezes most effectively when chopped into smaller pieces and added to ice cube trays with just enough water to cover the freshly minced dill. This allows the herbs to be kept for four months or longer. This will ensure you always have dill on hand for when a recipe calls for it. How to Dry Fresh Dill? Dried fresh dill is a popular method if you're searching for another way to store dill for a long time. The herb has many uses, even though it won't have as much flavor as when it's fresh or frozen. All year long, you can use it as a herb in cooked dishes or to make tea. Stick to hang-drying if you don't want much of the flavor to be lost. This is a very easy method to use. All you must do is gather a few dill leaves and then bind them with a string. Later, place them in an area with adequate ventilation upside down. Place them in an airtight container once they're crumbling and dry. Even though fresh dill is always preferable, make sure to save some for later use. Particularly if you don't have a year-round indoor herb and spice garden. Wrapping Up Growing dill is a great way to add flavor to fish and seafood dishes. A little goes a long way because fresh dill leaves have a strong licorice flavor. It is best that you add dill toward the end of cooking, in salads, or as a garnish for soups. Because once cooked, it tends to lose its flavor. If you have thoughts to share or questions to ask about how to harvest dill, please leave a comment below. We would love to hear from you! Read Also: Asparagus 101: When, How, And How Often To Harvest? How To Harvest Sunflower Seeds: A Fun And Easy Activity For The Whole Family How TO Harvest Lemongrass: Tips AND Tricks FOR Growing AND Using This Versatile Herb

10 Amazing Air Conditioner to Try Right Now

Selecting the best Air Conditioner can be a difficult task, especially when you want to make a long-term investment in your home. It is not easy to tick your requirements against the desired features and functions. However, doing so will determine whether you will go home with a costly lesson or a cooling solution. So, if you would like to experience excellent air conditioning benefits, check out the following list. 10 Amazing Air Conditioners to Try Right Now: LG LW8017ERSM: LG LW8017ERSM has been acknowledged as one of the most proficient and energy-efficient air conditioners that can cool a 340 square feet area. The unit can be a bit expensive to operate than the others, but what matters is a quality machine that does a lot more than the standard models. LG LW8017ERSM can remove up to 2.2 pints of moisture every hour. Keystone KSTAW05B: Keystone KSTAW05B has 5000 BTU, and this makes it suitable for small rooms. It can cool a 150 square feet area. It only weighs 40 pounds making it easy to be installed in most of the windows. Additionally, it is cost-efficient due to its small size and lower power consumption attributes. Keystone air conditioner has many features, such as remote control, programmable timer, and auto mode, making it comfortable to operate. Haier HWF05XCR-L Haier HWF05XCR-L is another fantastic air conditioner that you can try out. On its high setting, it can only make a maximum of 49 decibels of noise. The appliance can work better in small rooms since it can only cool up to 150 square feet of area. Moreover, it is a louver and can only point in one direction instead of four. The AC has a dehumidifying setting for pulling air moisture, ensuring a dry home. Honeywell HL09CESWK: Honeywell HL09CESWK is a powerful and dependable AC that is stylishly made. It can cool a room of up to 400 square feet. For safety purposes and peace of mind, it contains thermal overload protection. Additionally, Honeywell HL09CESWK has dual filters that are set to protect your system from dust and hair, and this extends the appliance’s life and performance. The system also has a 24-hour energy saver timer and remote control that bears a digital display. Frigidaire Gallery 12,000 BTU Cool Connect Smart Cylinder Portable Air Conditioner: Frigidaire Gallery 12,000 BTU Cool Connect Smart Cylinder Portable Air Conditioner is the 21st-century wonder of efficiency and luxury. It contains 12000 BTU allowing it to cool larger room spaces for approximately 550 square feet. It is incorporated with LED lighting and the latest mesh grill. The fact that it has 360 degrees airflow enables it to move upwards in a continuous spiral motion, and this ensures sufficient air circulation in the room for evenly cooling. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS: The Good Housekeeping Institute named Whynter Elite ARC-122DS as the overall best portable air conditioner. It can cool approximately 400 square feet of space. It has full thermostatic control with a digital readout and a 24-hour programmable timer. It is also eco-friendly as the auto drain function removes the entire condensate in most environments. Whynter Elite ARC-122DS also has a remote control and activated carbon air filter. Whynter ARC-14S: Whynter ARC-14S is another fantastic air conditioner that you can choose. It weighs approximately 80 pounds. The appliance can cool up to 5000 square feet of space. It has full thermostatic control of 61°F - 89°F containing digital readout. It is eco-friendly and a dehumidifier. The Fan also includes Activated Carbon Filter. GE AEM05LX: GE AEM05LX is an efficient unit for small or medium houses. It can cool a space of about 260 square feet. It contains the energy-saving mode. Companies such as Cool Runnings Darwin offer a one-year warranty for the labor, parts, and compressor of this appliance. GE AEM05LX is lightweight meaning it is easy to install. Its yearly cost of energy is also low. Friedrich Chill CP06G10B: Friedrich Chill CP06G10B can cool up to 250 square feet of space, and this makes it suitable for larger houses. It has a timer to control when to go off or on throughout the day. It also has energy saver mode, and auto restart mode that turns the AC back to your preferred setting after the power is back. Della 8,000 BTU Portable AC: Della 8,000 BTU Portable AC is an affordable unit that can cool up to 150 square feet of rooms. It contains a digital display with custom touch controls. It includes a quick install kit and one hose to make the setup easy. It also has a minimal volume of noise, making it suitable for small rooms. Read Also: 13 Ways To Maintain The Coolness Of Your Air Condition Unit Interiors To Reduce The Heat Build-Up In Your Homes Best Practices That Extend The Life Of Your Appliances

How to Salvage Your Furniture after a Flood

Upholstered Furniture

Mattresses

Wooden Furniture

Heavily Damaged Furniture

9 Things need to Know When Moving to a New Neighborhood

Pack And Move Without The Hassle

Tags

Ariana Smith

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Technologies For Creating A Startup Idea

How to Download Facebook Videos on Android?

7 Rules of Effective Ecommerce Web Design

The 10 WordPress Plugins Every Sucessful Blogger Uses

Follow Us

Recent

How To Use AI Copywriting For Small Businesses

Moreno Valley Plumbing Pros: Your Reliable Plumbing Experts

Top 5 Toyota Spare Parts and Accessories to Enhance Your Vehicle

Navigating The Maze Of Compensation Claims: Everything You Need To Know

Related

5 good luck plants that deserves a place in your home

How to Harvest and Preserve Dill for Year-Round Use?

10 Amazing Air Conditioner to Try Right Now

How to Salvage Your Furniture after a Flood

Upholstered Furniture

Mattresses

Wooden Furniture

Heavily Damaged Furniture

Share this Article

9 Things need to Know When Moving to a New Neighborhood

Pack And Move Without The Hassle

Tags

I enjoy writing and I write quality guest posts on topics of my interest and passion. I have been doing this since my college days. My special interests are in health, fitness, food and following the latest trends in these areas. I am an editor at Content Rally.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Popular

Follow Us

Recent

Related