We flooded our kitchen...

Well I had a pretty eventful week!

Continuing to work on the latest videos, new designs for future builds, catching up on farm work, and helping out a buddy with building his smaller house.

I feel productive… and exhausted.

Especially after the little incident we had on Friday.

Oh boy.

While I was working in the shop my wife wanted to start preparing some canning jars for the garden.

We love getting our food directly from Mother Nature.

With the intent of soaking the jars she forgot one little detail…

To turn off the water.

After returning back from the garden she found the kitchen flooded and sprung into action.

She soaked up as much as she can and called me to bring in fans.

So over the weekend we’ve been drying out the wood floors, running the humidifiers and fans, hoping that we can salvage the wood.

Only time will tell.

But that's life, it happens, and the only thing that we can do is try to fix it or keep on rolling.

In fact, I told myself, why not make a fun lesson on salvaged wood out of it?

So here I am.

When wood gets exposed to water, it can lead to swelling, warping, discoloration, and even mold growth.

The severity of the damage depends on the type of wood, the duration of exposure, and how quickly you can address the situation.

The first thing you need to do is stop the source of water and remove any standing water.

A wet/dry vacuum works great for this.

Time is of the essence.

The sooner you start the drying process, the better the chances of salvaging the wood.

Increase air circulation around the affected area using fans, and place dehumidifiers in the room to reduce moisture levels.

Remove any wet carpets, rugs, or furniture to allow the wood to dry more effectively.

Inspect the wood for signs of swelling, warping, or buckling.

These are indicators of water damage.

Look for any signs of mold.

If mold is present, it needs to be treated immediately to prevent health hazards and further damage.

Once the wood is thoroughly dry, you might need to sand it to remove any raised grain or rough spots.

After sanding, you can refinish the wood to restore its original appearance.

If certain sections of the wood are too damaged to be repaired, consider replacing them with new pieces that match the original material.

To prevent future damage, apply water-resistant sealants or finishes to the wood and regularly check for leaks and maintain proper ventilation.

Each salvage project can teach you more about how different types of wood react to water and how best to treat them.

And when you're ready for your next build, whether with salvaged wood or not, check out my Etsy shop for detailed project plans.

Happy woodworking, and may your salvaged wood projects turn out beautifully!

Keep making,
Matthew Peech

P.S. This plan has been really trending recently. Just wow.