Water damage to paperwork files and stored documents can be a monumental task. If ever there’s a time to call in the experts, this is the time, according to Darren Impson, President, Paul Davis Restoration of Tampa, FL. “The severity of the water damage is a very critical decision,” says Impson. “Wet papers, books and other paper-based items are some of the most fragile items to be salvaged from a home or business after they are soaked”. After getting wet, paper loses strength and suffers even more damage due to swelling. Speed is of the essence. Mold quickly grows when objects are left damp for 72 hours or more. Freezing papers or documents in a frost-free freezer can help prevent mold growth. “Drying papers, documents and especially books takes a great deal of expertise,” according to Impson. The scope of the disaster will have an impact on what can be saved.”
These five advanced methods, each tailored to specific water damage situations, are best practices to save water damaged documents and paper files. Paul Davis Restoration experts are skilled in each technique.
Vacuum Freeze-Drying Freezing wet material, then reducing the pressure around it, causes the now frozen water to sublimate (turn directly into gas) without melting. This process minimizes distortion, warping, and other damage that can occur during normal drying.
Thermal Drying Thermal drying, specifically vacuum thermal drying, is a method for drying wet paper or documents that utilizes a vacuum to remove water and controlled heat to vaporize it, This process can be more cost-effective and efficient for large quantities of materials compared to other methods like air drying or freeze-drying.
Desiccant Air Drying Desiccant air drying is a method of drying wet paper by circulating air that has had the moisture removed, typically using a dehumidifier or desiccant chemical. This process can help preserve documents and other paper items damaged by water or excessive humidity, reducing the risk of mold and further damage.
Hand Dry Cleaning To dry wet papers and documents or a wet book without wrinkles, first, blot excess water with paper towels and separate stuck pages. Then, place the book upright with pages fanned out and use a fan to circulate air. Consider placing paper towels between the pages to absorb moisture. Once mostly dry, lay the book flat and weigh it down to further press out any wrinkles.
Digital Reproduction Digital reproduction of wet papers and documents typically involves scanning physical documents to create digital copies, which can then be shared, stored, and managed electronically. While this method is simple and widely used, it has limitations as the resulting files are often image formats and may not be editable or searchable.
Paul Davis Restoration experts know the ins and outs of bringing paper documents, fabrics, photography and artworks damaged by moisture and smoke back to useful life. “The science and every evolving skill of salvaging what appears to be beyond repair is amazing,” says Impson. “Before giving up, try giving Paul Davis experts a chance to work their magic. You might be very amazed.”
