High moisture areas can affect timber articles - How can you how to stop it

Minimising water damage to your timber items is a simple process that begins with a manufacturer and ends with a homeowner following some simple tips.

Before you purchase any coated timber products that will surely live in your home for many years to come, we need to discuss the potential problems often encountered in kitchens, bathrooms and other high moisture areas – Water Damage. Water damage more often than not is silent; until one day you may notice a delaminated, discoloured panel or black growth of mould or fungi underneath a timber coating.  At this stage you may be quite annoyed and wondering how much it will cost to dispose of the item and have to replace it with a new one.

Here is what we recommend to help minimise any damage to timber articles. Let’s begin with how manufacturers can prevent discolouration. Manufacturers can prevent discolouration of timber by being aware of the causes and taking precautionary steps to minimise its occurrence in this field:

1. Before coating the timber ensure it is dry, this minimises the presence of moulds and fungi.
2. Ensure the coating system used has low moisture transmission. This prevents the timber article being exposed to moisture from being hydrated to a level which would support the growth of moulds and fungi. MIROTHANE PU Clear Polyurethane and Pigmented Polyurethane coatings have low moisture transmission.
3. Ensure sharp edges of the timber articles are removed and apply the coating generously over edges or profiles. Liquid coatings flow away from sharp edges leaving only a thin film. Multiple coats on sharp edges are required to obtain maximum protection.
4. Avoid the use of single pack lacquers in areas of high moisture especially over Beech or Steamed Beech, solid timber or veneer. The minimum system requirement recommended by Mirotone is a two pack system such as MIROTHANE PU Polyurethane coating system.

So what preventative action, you as the homeowner can do to minimise any mould and fungi from forming after you bring the item home. The best preventative action for the long life of any coated timber article is the familiar acronym TLC (Tender Loving Care). Take the following precautionary steps to keep water damage at bay:

1. Avoid high humidity build up by ensuring the room the timber article is kept in is properly ventilated, open windows or turn on air extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms.
2. Wipe up any spills as they occur and try not to miss the spots at the bottom of doors or any other area water may pool. These are the most common points of coating failure.
3. Avoid damage to the protective coating through physical impact e.g. damage caused by mop handles and vacuum cleaners.
4. Avoid the use of abrasive materials and cleansers as this will dramatically shorten the life of the protective coating.
5. The regular use of a wax-based, silicone free, non-abrasive polish can be beneficial in reducing the transmission of moisture through the film. A silicone free polish such as Mirotone’s SPRAYGLOW furniture polish is recommend.

Following these handy tips will not only help minimise water damage, but ensure your coated article looks great for years to come.  For more information on water damage contact your Mirotone’s Technical Services.

Note: The above statements are based on years of research and experience Mirotone has had from laboratory testing to infield feedback. Precautionary statements highlighted in this article will help reduce the incidence of these types of problems from occurring.