When a flood happens, a lot more than just the building and furnishings can sustain water damage. Priceless photographs can also be seriously damaged, sometimes to the point where they cannot be salvaged. Yet it is possible to save these memories with certain techniques used by water damage restoration services.
Before feeling that all is lost and irreplaceable photographs must be thrown away, try the following methods used by the professionals to rescue important photos and documents.
Act Fast!
As with all other water damage restoration services, it is critical to act fast. Gather up damaged photos as quickly as possible, then begin with the steps listed below. If it is not possible to start the restoration process right away, clean photos as described in the next step, stack between wax paper, seal in a ziplock bag, and store in the freezer. When it is possible to go through all the steps properly, defrost the bag and continue on with the restoration process.
Clean and Separate Gathered Photos
Begin restoring water damage to photographs by carefully removing them from any frames and mats, then clean off any dirt, mud, or other residue. One-by-one, gently dip the photos in a bucket of clean, cold water to rinse off any soil and dirty water. Avoid touching the surface of the image, since it could become further damaged from handling.
Unstick Photos
If photos are stuck together or stuck to the glass inside a frame, it may be possible to gently soak them to get them unstuck. Using slightly warm water, soak photos or the entire frame, if necessary, for up to an hour until they can be carefully peeled apart or peeled off the frame glass. In the event that these techniques suggested by water damage restoration services do not work, it is advisable to first clean the glass and take a photo of the image.
If salvage is not possible, a photo restoration specialist may be able to digitally edit the second photo to look almost like the original.
Lay Photos Out to Dry
The next step is to lay out all cleaned photos individually, face-side-up, on paper towels or some other absorbent material to blot them and allow the drying process to begin. Avoid handling the image surface, and do not lay them on newspaper as this may bleed ink onto the photos.
Lay photos indoors since wind or sunlight could cause them to dry too quickly and curl up. Change the paper towels every hour or so until the photos are completely dry. To speed things up and reduce curling during water damage repair, weigh or pin the corners down, then increase drying using a fan turned to low, an open window, or a dehumidifier.
Although these techniques may not work for every photo, they offer the best chance to rescue treasured memories after a flood. Yet when dealing with historic or older photos and documents, water damage restoration services advise working with a professional documents restorer who may know of other suitable water damage salvage methods. Fortunately, many people can save a good portion of their photos by acting quickly and using the steps outlined above to carefully clean and dry their images!