How to Fix a Wood Table That Has Buckled

Remove the buckled tabletop from the wood table by unscrewing the screws that secure the legs to the table. Hold the legs up next to each other to make sure that they stand straight. If they have been unaffected by the table’s buckling, set them aside.

Apply wood stripper to the wood table with rag and allow it to sit for the amount of time recommended on the stripper bottle. Wipe the stripper away after the appropriate amount with a dry rag and apply the neutralizing agent recommended on the bottle to stop the stripping process.

Wet the side of the wood tabletop opposite from the direction the curve bends away with a garden hose. For example, if the tabletop curves downward, wet the top side of the table.

Place the tabletop on a clean, flat surface such as a floor or a tarp outside. Set weights on the edges of the table where the curving occurs to weigh the dry side of the table down. Keep wetting the board whenever it dries out.

Once the board lies flat, leave the table to completely dry out before attempting to remove it. Lift the board every day and wipe excess moisture out from under it to prevent mildew from forming. Once the board has dried, refinish by applying stain or paint to the table to match the legs and screw the legs back to the tabletop.