Wet Document Restoration: Saving Papers And Books

A storm or a flood can strike a home anytime and sometimes without warning, resulting to severe water damage to the house and other properties. Furniture, carpets, appliances and even automobiles can get submerged or drenched in the dirty, murky and bacteria-filled flood waters. Unless proper water damage restoration is performed for these items, owners would have no choice but to count these articles as loss.

However, some of the more valuable items may not be included in the items described above. Great value, whether in monetary form or sentimental, may be lost due to a wet document. These documents may include land titles or bonds that have considerably high financial value for the owner. Others may be important documentations like marriage certificates, birth certificates, passports, photographs, passbooks and other important records printed on paper. With proper water damage restoration procedures, these articles can still be saved.

The most important factor in wet document restoration is to remove the moisture before deterioration of the material starts, and mold infestation sets in. Molds are microorganisms that can cause health risks if not treated immediately. Molds thrive in damp wet surfaces, particularly on organic materials like wood, fiber and paper, an example of which is a wet document. The following are simple procedures in how to handle and restore these water-damaged items using methods that any able person in the home can perform.

If the articles are still in the water, carefully remove each item and gently rinse in a bucket or sink filled with clean water. Trays and pans that can accommodate the wet document as a whole can also be used. Remove dirt and debris by swirling the water. Do not rub them off as this may damage or tear off the paper. Change the water frequently to avoid further contamination to the already water-damaged material. If the article is too fragile to be placed in a bucket full of water, lay it carefully on a flat surface then rinse off the dirt and grime by using a gentle plastic sprayer used in gardens and the kitchen.

Dry them out by laying each individual wet document onto absorbent materials like paper towels. Avoid using newspapers and anything with print and ink to avoid unwanted transfer to the document being restored. Do not lay them out under the sun as the direct and abrupt heat may cause deformations, cracks and wrinkles that will make further restoration difficult or impossible. For books, pamphlets, and other multi-page document, dry pages by placing absorbent paper in between pages. For thinner leaves, insert paper in between batches of pages, example: 20 or 30 pages per batch, replacing these paper towels as often as necessary.

A preferred drying method for a wet document is air-drying. Low-powered electric fans can be used to circulate air across the documents and hasten the drying. Proper ventilation into the area should also be done by opening up windows and doors to let good air flow in. Dehumidifiers can also be used to remove moisture from the air and speed up the drying process much further.

For a wet document that cannot be restored completely, it would be wise to have it photocopied or digitally scanned to maintain a record of the information stored in it. You can use this when requesting for a certified true copy, particularly if it's a certificate or a license.

The key thing in any water damage restoration is to perform actions immediately without giving any chances for molds to take over. Paper and paper products are susceptible to mold infestations particularly if damp or have prolonged exposure to water. Using these simple procedures can go a long way, and help the owner recover his properties.

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