A broken pipe, water hose breaks, sprinkler accidents, torrential rain, sudden floods, - these are examples of instances that can happen at home and cause major water damage to a homeowner's property.
Some personal things are easy to salvage from a water related disaster at home. Floors can be quickly mopped up, walls can be gradually drained, and glass windows can be easily wiped clean. There are things that can even be left alone to dry, such as kitchen tiles, plastic furniture, and other metal surfaces.
If only all household items were as easy to save.
While there are many things in a home that are practically waterproof, unfortunately, there are even more things that are at high risk in the event of a water disaster. Books and documents are some of the things that are very susceptible to water damage.
The Skills Needed in Saving Books and Documents
Books, photographs, paper files, maps, blueprints, and the like are very easily damaged by humidity, moisture, and water vapor. A high flood, a gushing pipe, or anything that produces a sudden large amount of water in a home would nearly completely destroy these items. Inks would run, books would warp, and papers would become tissue paper thin. Printing would blur, photographs would stick together, and some documents could become entirely unreadable.
Professional restorers use special drying processes and water removal techniques for book drying and document drying. Some invest in the latest technology and purchase pricey equipment specifically for books and documents restoration. But as advanced as the processes and as expensive as the gear of professionals are, nothing is quite as important as responding quickly when it comes to saving books and documents from water damage.
Homeowners can eliminate the need to contact professionals if they are able to quickly respond the moment a water disaster happens. They can save a lot of their books, photographs, papers, and other documents. They can also make the subsequent restoration process simpler, easier, and less expensive. Armed with quick decision making, fast action, effective management, and clear communication, homeowners only need to rely on themselves to save their own valued documents, rare books, and treasured photographs.
What Can Happen if Immediate Action is Not Taken?
If homeowners wait to respond, take their time to decide, and delay their actions, books and documents that have been damaged by the water can very quickly deteriorate. The water can permanently stain paper, wash out ink, and reduce paper items to mush. If not dried properly and immediately, molds can start growing on books and documents within a matter of just a few days. Molds and mildew are especially difficult to remove and they like to keep coming back again and again. They could cost homeowners a lot of problems and money even after the restoration process has long ended.
Book and Document Drying Need Not Be Expensive
Some people believe that the only way to restore books and documents is to replace them entirely. That would be ideal, but it only works for things that are actually replaceable and not to mention expensive. While some books and documents may be bought from a store, homeowners often have things in their home that are rare, one of a kind, and unique to their family.
Book drying and document drying doesn't have to cost homeowners an arm and a leg. There are some things that people whose homes have suffered water damage can do to save and restore their personal belongings. They do not have to resign themselves to the idea that their important data, valued mementos, and precious photographs are damaged beyond repair and lost forever. The following are some steps homeowners can take to save their books and documents.
First Things to Do
The first thing to do when water damage at home occurs is to protect anything that has remained dry. Separate the undamaged items from everything else and keep them in a safe place where the water cannot get to them. Waterproof plastic boxes and plastic covers will offer maximum protection from humidity and moisture.
Look over the things which have been damaged by the water. Evaluate which ones are beyond saving and which ones can still be restored. Among the things that are still salvageable, assess which things still have value and are still relevant. Discard anything that is no longer used and no longer needed.
Gently remove dirt and debris from muddied books and documents using clean water. The clean water will also remove contaminants that are invisible to the eye. Wet materials are weaker and more fragile, so handle these with utmost care to prevent further damage.
As much as possible, control the temperature and the humidity in the water disaster area. Higher temperature and humidity levels cause books and documents to deteriorate at a faster rate.
Book Drying and Document Drying Techniques
Once sorted, there are several drying techniques that homeowners can apply at home. These have not only been tried and tested, but they are also currently still being employed by regular homeowners and professional restorers alike.
Homeowners should keep in mind that books and documents could never be as good as they were after being water damaged. There is no drying technique that can return them to their original condition. What homeowners can do is to respond to the water disaster as fast and as accurately as they can. The quicker they act, the better the state the books and documents will be in after drying.
Before proceeding with any drying technique, homeowners should first assess the type of water damage their books and documents have sustained. Find out the extent of the water damage and inspect just how severely damaged the items were. Also check what materials the books and documents are made out of. Different types of papers and inks need different methods of drying. Doing these things will help homeowners choose the most effective drying technique for their water damaged books and documents.
Air Drying
Description: Air drying has been used since humans ever needed anything wet to dry. It is the oldest and considered as the most inexpensive drying technique.
How To: Find a clean and spacious area. Make sure that temperature and humidity levels are kept as low as possible. Lay out the water damaged items side by side on tables, floors, and other flat surfaces. By opening windows, using blowers, and switching on fans, circulate the air within the area. The air flow will quickly remove the evaporated water moisture particles and prevent mildew and mold from forming on the books and documents.
Most Effective For: A small number of slightly wet or damp items. Books that are wet only around the edges and single sheets of paper would work well with air drying.
Not Effective On: A large number of wet items and anything that is soaked through. Air drying is not for bound volumes and books and documents with coated paper.
Pros: Air drying is cost effective and aside from the possible use of fans and blowers, no extra equipment is needed for this drying technique.
Cons: Air drying is labor intensive and a lot of space is needed for it to actually be effective.
Results: Air dried books and documents are often badly distorted. Most need rebinding and have to be flattened after air drying. More shelf and storage space are needed for books and documents that have been air dried.
Dehumidification
Description: Dehumidification has long been used to dry wet ships, buildings, and other large structures. It has just recently been employed by libraries and archives for book drying and document drying.
How To: Businesses use large industrial dehumidifiers, but homeowners can avail of smaller sized dehumidifiers for personal use. Simply place the dehumidifier in the water damaged area and let it do the work. The dehumidifier will remove the water and moisture from the air by controlling the temperature and humidity levels.
Most Effective For: Moderately water damaged items.
Not Effective For: Books and documents with water-based inks or pigments.
Pros: Dehumidification can dry a large number of items at one given time. Homeowners also do not have to remove the water damaged items from their place and they can be left in their shelves while dehumidification is ongoing.
Cons: This drying technique can be quite expensive because of the need for dehumidifiers.
Results: Books dried using this process also show distortion. Dehumidification cannot save all bound books and many will most likely need rebinding.
Freezer Drying
Description: This drying technique employs the use of a freezer for book drying and document drying.
How To: Put books and documents individually inside an airtight sealable bag. Place them inside a home freezer and set the temperature -10 to -40 degrees Fahrenheit. Do this immediately after the water damage incident to stop the water from being absorbed. This will also stop molds and mildew from growing.
Most Effective For: Damp or moderately wet items.
Not Effective For: Severely wet items.
Pros: Freezer drying can effectively dry wet books and documents, including books with binding provided that their spines are supported.
Cons: The number of items that can be freeze-dried is limited to how many can fit in a home freezer. This method may take anywhere from a few weeks to several months before items are completely dried.
Results: Books and documents maintain their shape as closely as possible. This is the most effective drying technique that people can do at home.
