ᐅ Kallax shelf swollen on top after water damage – is it still salvageable?
Created on: 11 Oct 2020 08:43
S
Sele5
Hello everyone,
A few days ago, I unfortunately experienced water damage to my Kallax shelf (IKEA). The top panel is now noticeably swollen in some areas and feels quite spongy. Although the wood veneer still looks intact, I believe the stability is already compromised.
I’m wondering if a Kallax panel like this can still be saved after water damage, or if I should just go ahead and get a replacement. Are there any repair methods that make sense and provide a lasting solution, or is the material too sensitive?
I’ve considered sanding down the entire panel and treating it with wood glue or something similar, but maybe that’s a lost cause.
Does anyone have experience with swollen Kallax furniture wood after water damage?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
A few days ago, I unfortunately experienced water damage to my Kallax shelf (IKEA). The top panel is now noticeably swollen in some areas and feels quite spongy. Although the wood veneer still looks intact, I believe the stability is already compromised.
I’m wondering if a Kallax panel like this can still be saved after water damage, or if I should just go ahead and get a replacement. Are there any repair methods that make sense and provide a lasting solution, or is the material too sensitive?
I’ve considered sanding down the entire panel and treating it with wood glue or something similar, but maybe that’s a lost cause.
Does anyone have experience with swollen Kallax furniture wood after water damage?
Any advice is greatly appreciated!
rickey schrieb:
And if you’re buying new, tell yourself to be more waterproof this time 😉 Haha, very good!
A small tip for everyone: When dealing with damp areas, it’s a good idea to place a thin plastic sheet or something similar underneath if you put a shelf or furniture in a spot where moisture is likely. Prevention is better than repair.
Stay on top of it, as the worst damage to wood-based materials often comes from drying too late.
To be honest, what a terrible idea it is to risk water exposure on an MDF shelf...
If you already know that the material swells quickly, the damage should be considered a total loss from the start.
I wouldn’t even waste time on repairs; practically, "saving" often just means postponing the problems.
BeAndrea schrieb:
Whether repairing with wood glue makes sense depends on how deep the damage is.
If you already know that the material swells quickly, the damage should be considered a total loss from the start.
I wouldn’t even waste time on repairs; practically, "saving" often just means postponing the problems.
kemeo68 schrieb:
To be honest, what a terrible idea it is to take any risk with water in a shelf made of MDF...I agree with you, MDF is not the most water-resistant material, which I unfortunately realized too late.
But the question was more: If it has already happened and the board is swollen, are there any practical options to save it? I would rather not throw everything away immediately, especially if some improvement is possible through practical measures.
Your warning about “covering up problems” is well meant. Thank you for the honest assessment.
Sele5 schrieb:
Are there any viable options for restoration?Of course there are – life is full of options! 😉 If sanding, filling, and painting don’t scare you, you can definitely achieve a nice result that will last a few more years.
It’s definitely more worthwhile with more expensive furniture; with Kallax, you have to consider how much effort it’s worth to you.
The main thing is not to just leave it as is and to give it a try! 🙂
Seanni schrieb:
If sanding, filling, and painting don’t intimidate you, you can definitely achieve a nice resultAbsolutely! And I’d like to add: When working with filler, it’s better to use fine products that are not too hard, so they remain flexible. Then smooth it out with fine sandpaper.
And always let it dry thoroughly in between – otherwise, you might run into problems later.
Good luck to Sele5, you can definitely do it!
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