It can be really devastating when it happens to you.  The thought of your valuable paper, be it important documents, irreplaceable personal letters or treasured books being destroyed forever by water damage. But with care and the proper technique these items may be salvageable from that flood or spill after all.

Turning the item upside down every couple of hours will help the water damaged book restoration process dry out evenly.  If the documents are important, the best way to preserve their contents may be to photocopy them then discard the originals.

Rare book water damage is more likely to be a concern of libraries and some museums as these organizations are home to the most valuable, important pieces of literary history. However, many collectors also have rare books that they need to protect from water damage.  When disaster does strike, it is the discretion of the homeowner to salvage or replace the damaged items. Carefully remove the documents from the water and gently rinse them underneath cold running water. If you have any questions or suggestions let me know.

You can reduce the risk of permanent water damage to your book collection, however, by taking a few steps immediately after the damage has been found. If the delicacy and detail of managing the drying and restoration of a historical or archived damaged book seems daunting, find a service that can professionally restore damage books instead. If the book was damaged by contaminated water, there is a higher likelihood that bacteria or mold will grow on the pages.

Water damaged books published before 1840 will generally absorb much more water than currently printed ones, therefore running a much higher risk of experiencing swelling or mold damage. Because of this many people have circumvented damage done to their books by taking the proper precautions.

If library damaged books were closed when damaged, leave them closed. You can clean most mildly damaged library books by wiping the covers and paper edges with a dry sponge. If the pages do not have mold growth yet, they can be dried by using a freeze-dry technique. Water damage has the potential to ruin an entire library. Water absorption depends on the age, condition, and material of the paper that has been damaged.

Professionals will use ozone gas chambers to remove stains and safely deodorize documents. For most water damage books, especially those of extreme importance, the salvaging and drying process should be done using a professional service. Taking the time to understand how the damage has effected important materials, especially precious flood damaged books, and incorporating the aid of professionals will ensure these items will be restored for future generations.  Museums, libraries, and schools across the United States are continually researching new and effective ways to prevent water damage to ensure the longevity of rare and precious books and documents.

If the damage was brought about by sewage or flood waters, then the treatments may be more complicated than those mentioned since consideration should be done to the amount of contaminants that are contained in sewage waters. If you suspect the water to be of either Grey or Black classification, contact your state environmental protection agency or the water bureau to have your home evaluated.

When a water emergency happens in the home, a lot of books can still be salvaged and restored to their original state. De-humidifiers are also a good option. There are ways to preserve them, either by your own means or by bringing in a professional damaged books for sale restoration specialist to take on the task.  First of all, you will need to act quickly to save these documents. The extent of the damage will also depend on how well the items were stored prior to encountering the water. Water and mold damage can affect both prepared and unprepared home owners.  Which would you rather be?