FishProfiles.com Message Forums

Hello.

I recently had some minor flooding in my house, which soaked the carpet underneath a 75 gallon tank stand. The stand is presumably made of particle board, or something similar. The stand has a flat bottom. A horizontal board covers the area under the tank, on the ground.

The problem is: The stand soaked up some of the water. It now has a bubbled, textured surface on roughly 25% of the surface, and has become somewhat warped. The cabinet door now scrapes the outer lip, etc.

Has the structural integrity of the stand been affected? It's now dry. But, I know particle board isn't the most durable material.

Is the whole thing going to collapse??

wow...that's not good at all! I would get a new stand. It's better to be safe than sorry later on.

-Josh

I agree, the integrity of the stand has been comprimised, and as you said, that suff isn't the most durable. The pressed wood expands when wet, and will loose strength and evenness. They're made on the cheap, not on the durability side.

If i were you, spend the hunded bucks for a new stand and the insurace knowing 75 gallons of water and your stuff doesn't end up smashed on the floor.

Speaking from experience, doh!

You should also pull back the carpet where you had the "accident" and pull out the underpad. Use fans to dry the particle board under flooring for three days and treat with a weak bleach mixture as a spray to minimize mildew. You can then replace the underpad and relay the carpet.

__________
"To steal ideas from one person is plagiarism; to steal from many is research."
researched from Steven Wright

You have several choices here

Is it insured water damage to furniture? If so a possible replacement.

Can it be repaired? Possibly no, other than the base being wet the upright pieces could also be damaged and certainly all the connecting joints.

Toss it out and get another one.

Now to the floor you will have to pull the tank down to check how much it is damaged. If the floor is timber it will have to be dried out and possibly repaired as well.
If a concrete floor it will still need to dry out.
Finally any floor coverings will have to be dried out or replaced.
My leaking tank was an insurance job and cost several thousand dollars for all the repairs.

Have a look in [link=My Profile] http://www.fishprofiles.com/forums/member.aspx?id=1935[/link] for my tank info

Look here for my
Betta 11Gal Desktop & Placidity 5ft Community Tank Photos

Keith

Near enough is not good enough, therefore good enough is not near enough, and only your best will do.
I VOTE DO YOU if not WHY NOT?
VOTE NOW VOTE NOW

Thanks for all the replies! Especially the tips about the wet carpet. I didn't even think to replace the padding. Luckily the floor is concrete underneath. But, I have noticed a mildew-ey smell.

I kinda thought everyone would tell me to toss the stand. And the more I think about it crashing to the floor, the less I want to risk it.

Thanks!