ᐅ My KALLAX unit feels swollen after water damage – is it salvageable?
Created on: 28 Feb 2020 08:47
L
Leore
Hello everyone,
I am currently facing an issue with my KALLAX shelf from IKEA. Unfortunately, there was water damage, and since then the surface and material of the shelf feel quite spongy. The stability also seems affected; it almost appears as if the MDF panels have swollen.
My question is: Is it worthwhile to try and salvage this KALLAX, for example through drying or treatment with special products? Or is the damage too severe, meaning I should better opt for a new shelf?
I look forward to your opinions and experiences, especially if anyone has successfully repaired a wet KALLAX before.
I am currently facing an issue with my KALLAX shelf from IKEA. Unfortunately, there was water damage, and since then the surface and material of the shelf feel quite spongy. The stability also seems affected; it almost appears as if the MDF panels have swollen.
My question is: Is it worthwhile to try and salvage this KALLAX, for example through drying or treatment with special products? Or is the damage too severe, meaning I should better opt for a new shelf?
I look forward to your opinions and experiences, especially if anyone has successfully repaired a wet KALLAX before.
Thank you for your information!
Unfortunately, this confirms my suspicion that the internal structure is damaged. I also wanted to mention that the water damage involved a large amount of water over several hours – so it’s not just a small splash.
I agree with this now. However, the decision is difficult because the KALLAX originally seemed quite sturdy, and I didn’t place it near water primarily for that reason.
That sounds very clear. It would be interesting to know if there is any product that can at least temporarily restore its stability?
Unfortunately, this confirms my suspicion that the internal structure is damaged. I also wanted to mention that the water damage involved a large amount of water over several hours – so it’s not just a small splash.
Aimee schrieb:
...better solution: new shelving unit
I agree with this now. However, the decision is difficult because the KALLAX originally seemed quite sturdy, and I didn’t place it near water primarily for that reason.
Kyler10 schrieb:
Water absorption causes swelling, which irreversibly damages the material.
That sounds very clear. It would be interesting to know if there is any product that can at least temporarily restore its stability?
Leore schrieb:
It would be interesting to know if there is any product that can restore stability, at least temporarily? Recent repairs using wood glue or sealant mostly provide cosmetic improvements rather than restoring structural stability. New shelving is usually the better option.
C
Cecilera6629 Feb 2020 10:23In my experience, if the boards are soft, the wood is severely damaged.
Repairing this takes a long time and is often more expensive than buying new.
I would replace the KALLAX completely, also because safety risks from unstable shelves should not be underestimated.
Repairing this takes a long time and is often more expensive than buying new.
I would replace the KALLAX completely, also because safety risks from unstable shelves should not be underestimated.
Leore schrieb:
Is there any product that can at least temporarily restore stability? There are wood hardeners available that can be applied to reinforce swollen fibers. However, this only works if the wood is not completely saturated and is more suitable for small areas.
For extensive swelling, this is unlikely to be sufficient, and using it on load-bearing furniture carries a risk.
My advice: If you need a temporary solution, you can try this, but in the long term, you should consider replacement.
One last tip: If you want to continue using the KALLAX at least as a temporary solution, be sure to place the shelf on a flat, dry surface and avoid putting stress on the affected areas.
A bit of creativity in positioning and taking care of the material might buy you a few more weeks or months.
And when you finally treat yourself to something new, even better! 😉
A bit of creativity in positioning and taking care of the material might buy you a few more weeks or months.
And when you finally treat yourself to something new, even better! 😉
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