Is restoring furniture with woodworm is possible or do we have to say goodbye? What signs should I look for when buying antique furniture? How can I restore damaged furniture? Read on to get answers to these questions.
Does my furniture have woodworm?
Woodworm can be a real problem for furniture, as the tiny insects eat away at the wooden frame, eventually destroying it. While woodworm tend to be more attracted to softer wood, you will likely see the damage in hardwood like oak or mahogany, too. The most important step is to inspect your furniture thoroughly to check for any signs of infestation. The signs of woodworm in furniture are very similar to woodworm in any other timber:
- Tiny woodworm holes on the exterior of the furniture, where woodworm has eaten its way out of the wood.
- A cluster of eggs in the cracks and crevices of the wood.
- Dead beetles around the furniture
- Light coloured woodworm dust spilling from any holes is a sign of active woodworm.
- Darker hole shape marks that have been filled with furniture wax or filler indicate that the piece has suffered from woodworm damage in the past. This can be more common in antique furniture, as the older the furniture, the more chance of infestation it has.
Woodworm furniture treatment
The first step is to assess the damage. Light infestation is easily treated. Start by removing any varnish or wax, to allow you access to the bare wood. Apply woodworm killer to the damaged area and into the woodworm holes. Let it dry and fill the holes with beeswax or putty and finish off with the same-coloured varnish.
Heavily damaged items follow the same process as above. You may need to make further repairs to keep your furniture in good condition. You may even consider taking it to a specialist restorer.
How to prevent woodworm in furniture
The good news is that there are ways to protect your furniture from further damage. Make sure to isolate an infested piece of furniture from any other wood to prevent the spread of woodworm. You might want to consider treating other wooden items that were close to the affected piece, for extra peace of mind. Monitor moisture levels and make sure the rooms, storage units or attics are properly ventilated.
Woodworm can spread from your furniture to your house. If you suspect woodworm infestation, its best to leave treatment to specialists. LC Joinery will conduct a professional woodworm survey to establish the extent of the problem and recommend a suitable course of treatment. All our work is guaranteed, and we are a member of the Guild of Master Craftsmen, the Federation of Master Builders, the Construction Skills Certificate Scheme, and is a Which? Trusted Trader and a licensed asbestos removal contractor. You can read about our qualifications here.
Call LC Joinery at 01592 747 047 or email us at [email protected].
