Caring for Furniture, Antiques and Fine Art After Hurricane Sandy

This time, people in our area were more prepared for the storm. People moved precious objects out of harm’s way, but what do you do if you find floodwater hit your furniture?

If it is newer piece made of veneer and particleboard there is little hope. The wood particle fibers swell up popping off veneers and loosening joints. There is little than can rectify this once the piece is exposed.

But with older furniture and antiques exposed to flood water, dirt or moldy environments, there are steps to take. First, clean the object’s surface with Fantastic and paper towels. The formula for Fantastic is water based and will not harm finishes. You will be able to see the dirt and grime in the paper towel. Be sure to clean, the parts of the furniture not seen, such as the back, underneath, and inside of drawers as this is where mold can grow and reproduce. Afterwards check the furniture for loose veneer, wobbly joints and finish irregularities. Follow the cleaning step with a coating of hard paste wax, wiped off with a soft cotton cloth. This will offer protection similar to shining ones shoes. Remove items to a dry location. If more treatment is required to remedy any problems, seek a professional restorer.

For framed artwork, similarly clean frames with a soft cloth, being careful not to pull or snag any pieces. Evaluate the surface, if it is an oil painting you can remove dry debris with a soft brush or cloth, but professional treatment is recommended. Sarah Dove a paper conservator of Fine Art Conservation, in the Velvet Mill in Stonington, recommends only removing works on paper, prints, drawing or watercolors from their frames if water is inside the frame package. If the backing material is absorbent, and the art is water damaged, carefully remove the art and air-dry it. Rest books on their lower edge and fan them open for air-drying. Speed up the drying process with an electric fan. If mold has occurred, a conservator uses desiccants to stop the mold growth and treat the areas with ethanol to cease mold growth. A professional conservator can treat and reverse water stains.

If you do feel that there is damage to a valuable antique or work of art and would like to make a claim to your insurer, a damage/loss appraisal may be required. Conservation treatments or restoration are considered and an objective, certified appraiser determines the current value, assesses the damage and determines the diminution of value.

It is important to care for items for immediately. Moisture damage and mold spreads quickly in a matter of a few days, especially if objects remain in moist environments. 

Jennifer Lacker is the owner of J. London Restoration and Appraisals of Stonington.