Furniture Damages and Their Causes: A Definite Summary

Furniture is a precious component of any house–it helps to sustain everyday life, make it more comfortable and it plays its role in the aesthetic world. Nevertheless, even the most optimal furniture may be damaged in the course of time. With knowledge of the most frequent furniture damages and their causes, homeowners can keep their furniture longer and not have to replace it in a short time. This overview is a summary of the large types of damage that furniture encounters and why this occurs. 

• Cuts on Furniture Surfaces.

Surface scratches are one of the most common types of damage. They occur when cutting or scratching hard or rough objects that are in direct contact with finished or polished surfaces, something the best movers london ontario are careful to prevent. Finest or deep scratches may be caused by everyday movements of items over a table, dragging chairs, or even the metal accessories of brushes. These scratches not only destroy the looks once they appear but also undermine protective finishes leaving the surface more susceptible to further damage.

• Furniture Surface Stains.

The causes of stains are the penetration of liquids or other substances into the surface material. Beverages, sauces, oils or inks spilt on wood, cloth or leather may leave visible stains. Certain stains are also chemically reactive with finishes or upholstery fibres and thus hard to clean. Instant cleaning and covering of the surface can minimise stains however; once stains appear they may be permanent and will greatly diminish the aesthetic and worth of the furniture. 

• Fade and Discolouration of Furniture.

The major cause of fading and discolouration is sunlight and UV radiation. The colour pigments of the furniture, fabrics and finishes break down when exposed to the windows or where the sun is frequently exposed. This develops over time giving surfaces a washed-out, uneven appearance. This is the fading that does not merely change the appearance, but it is an indicator that the material quality is in a bad condition, particularly in the case of fabrics and wood finishing. 

• Wear and Tear of Furniture

Wear and tear is gradual wear and tear caused by normal usage. Daily activities such as opening and closing drawers, sitting and standing on chairs or repetitive sliding of objects create friction and stress on joints, surfaces and mechanisms. Continuous mechanical movement undermines connections and finishes, and ultimately results in looseness and squeaks and other outward indications of wear and tear. Although wear and tear are normal with excessive use, when the use is heavy and day in and day out, it increases the wear and tear. 

• Sloppy Joints or Shaky Pieces of Furniture.

Due to abrasion or stress, furniture tends to develop loose joints. Screws, brackets, or connectors may become loose with the course of time particularly when they are used regularly or when the weight is not evenly distributed. The most common are shaky legs on chairs or wobbling table tops. Not only do these problems undermine stability, but they also increase the likelihood of experiencing additional structural damage in case the problems are not resolved in time. 

• Upholstery Damage

Upholstered furnishings are especially susceptible to tearing, pulling and stretching. Fabric or leather covers may be damaged by sharp objects, friction when used and even pets. Fibres used in upholstering may become weak over time, particularly in places that are used frequently like sofa seats and armrests. These damages not only degrade the appearance but also the comfort and in most cases, they cannot be repaired by anyone other than the professionals.