Common Problems With Wicker Chairs and How to Fix Them

1. Common Problems With Wicker Chairs and How to Fix Them While wicker furniture is generally durable and easy to care for, it will inevitably experience some wear and tear over time. Whether it’s warping, cracking or simply the appearance of age, there are ways to help keep your wicker looking its best for years to come! If you’re dealing with a serious problem, you may need to consult an expert. Here are a few common problems and how to fix them. 1. Warping Warping is one of the most common problems with wicker chair repair. It can be caused by a number of different factors, including weather conditions and

2. storage conditions. However, there are some things you can do to fix the problem and prevent it from happening again in the future. The first step is to identify the cause of the warping. If it is caused by the weather, you need to address the issue right away. Ideally, you should keep the chair out of direct sunlight and in a room with controlled humidity. If you do not have access to a well-ventilated room, you can spray the furniture with water to keep it moist. Second, you should determine the wood species that is used in your wicker chair repair. Some types of wood are much less likely to warp than others. For example, fir is a very stable wood that shrinks and warps very little. Cedar and redwood are two other woods that are less likely to warp. 2. Different factors Another factor is how the wood was cut from the tree. Wide boards are more prone to warping than narrow ones. The most stable woods are those that have a close grain, which minimizes the space between fibers and reduces the chances of shrinking or warping. Finally, consider whether the wood is seasoned correctly before use. Using a kiln to dry the wood before use can help it stay more stable. This method also helps it retain its natural color. If the warping is caused by the wood itself, you can try re-staining it. You can use a high-quality stain designed for wood, or you can try using an oil-based indoor-outdoor paint in the color of your choice. You can also try a different technique that involves applying heat to the affected area. This is a great way to get the wood fixed in a short amount of time and can be done at home with an iron or a steam iron. You can also wrap the warped area in a towel, then place it in the sun for a few days. This works especially well during warm, dry weather.

3. 3. Cracking Whether natural wicker or synthetic rattan, the material can suffer from cracking problems when exposed to sunlight and rain for long periods of time. These problems can result in the appearance of darker, discolored areas in the furniture’s surface. The best way to avoid this problem is to store or cover wicker chair repair furniture in an area that is not constantly exposed to the elements. This includes patios, porches and decks, if possible. If you can’t store the chair in an outbuilding or garage, place it under a porch roof or awning, where it won’t get exposed to direct sunlight and rain. Then, protect the wicker from humidity and mold with a thick plastic covering. In the event that the furniture does get damaged, there are some simple, inexpensive repairs you can do at home. Some of the most common issues with wicker chair repair involve cracking, warping, loose joints and wobbly legs. 4. Step to cracking First, try to isolate the source of the problem. This can be done by examining the chair frame closely to determine how it was put together. Next, inspect the rungs that hold the legs to the frame. If any of them are sagging, glue the loose rungs to the leg using wood glue. If this isn’t an option, use right-angle corner braces to stabilize the rungs. These braces are easily purchased at hardware and home improvement stores. Once the glue is dry, spray paint the mended rungs to match the rest of the furniture. This should help blend the new rungs into the existing wicker, making the piece look like one whole unit again. The same procedure applies to the ends of a strand that has broken off. Remove the damaged end of the strand and cut a replacement strand to the

4. same length. Then soak the replacement strand in water for 30 minutes to make it easier to bend and weave. Repeat the process for each strand of wicker that has broken off, until you have replaced all of them. After completing the repairs, you should spray-paint the mended areas to blend them with the rest of the furniture’s color and finish. 5. Loose Joints Whether you’ve been storing your wicker furniture in a dry place for decades or just purchased it recently, the odds are good that it has experienced some wear and tear. Some of the most common problems that wicker furniture suffers from include warping, cracking, and loose joints. First, check the chair for loose joints, particularly in the corners. A good test to see if a chair is moving around is to give it a firm wiggle with both hands, and to see if the back of the seat wobbles inward or outward as you push on it. If the problem is a loose joint, the most likely way to fix it is to remove the part that is loose and replace it with a new one. This is a much easier process than it sounds, and it usually doesn’t involve disassembling the entire piece. The other option is to use Wonderlok ‘Em, a glue that oozes into the joint and creates a strong bond. It’s ideal for loose chair joints and staircase spindles, tool handles, dovetail joints, and more. Another fix for a loose joint is to make several thin wedges of wood, pine lattice, or molding that will fit in the socket and hold the part securely. These wedges are designed to be very small and will be easily driven into the part with a hammer. 6. Avoid wedges

5. To avoid the possibility of the wedges falling off when you take the chair apart, cut them into small pieces before you begin. Once you have them ready, dip the ends in the adhesive, drive the wedges into the loose part, and then trim them flush with the surrounding wood surface. Some rattan chairs have pole rattan that pokes out from the legs for extra stability and support. This type of rattan can break if it gets slammed or scraped against a floor. If this happens, you can cover the rattan with rubber stoppers. If your rattan chair doesn’t have these features, you can also add them yourself using wooden corner blocks that are glued to the frame and screwed into place under the seat. These are a great solution for most rattan chairs that aren’t designed to handle a lot of weight. 7. Mildew Wicker chair repair are prone to mildew problems because they can be a moist and humid place for mold to thrive. This can be an issue for people who have allergies or asthma. Fortunately, there are several ways that you can remove mildew from your wicker furniture without damaging the material itself. One option is to use a lemon salt solution, which is inexpensive and easy to make. Another option is to use a spray bottle filled with bleach. Mildew is a type of mold that starts out as white and slowly turns to yellow or brown. It is usually a powdery mold that will release spores when it is disturbed. This type of mold can be a serious problem because it can cause respiratory issues and headaches. It is also a health hazard because it can produce mycotoxins, which are toxic chemicals that affect your immune system. If you notice mildew on your wicker furniture, it is important to act quickly to prevent further damage. Luckily, there are several different ways to get rid of

6. mildew on your wicker furniture so that you can keep it looking great for years to come. To start with, you will want to clean the entire piece of wicker furniture. Using a soft-bristled brush, scrub any areas that have visible mildew on them. You can also use a cotton swab to reach those hard-to-reach areas where the weave patterns meet the wicker. Once the mildew is removed from your wicker furniture, it will be ready to be painted. If you want to paint it, you will need to make sure that the wicker is completely dry before painting it. 8. Try spraying Alternatively, you can try spraying the entire piece of wicker with a cleaning solution that has bleach in it. This will help to kill the mildew, but it may be difficult to get in between all of the strands of wicker on a chair or table. After you have sprayed the entire piece of furniture, you will want to let it sit for 30 minutes or so. This is important so that the bleach can penetrate the mildew and kill it.