How to Dry Water Damaged Books
Water can be extremely destructive to books. It has the power to dissolve glue, warp bindings, make ink run, make pages stick together and cause mould to develop. Depending on the type of water damage and its severity, you may be able to dry water damaged books at home by following the steps below.
Before handling any water damaged books, it’s important to know what type of water caused the damage. Do not attempt to handle and/or clean books, papers or documents that have been damaged by contaminated water or sewage water. Call Stutters Disaster Kleenup and let the professionals handle this type of restoration.
Air drying is an inexpensive way to dry damaged books. Wet books covered with mud or other muck must be allowed to dry first before attempting to remove the dirt.
Items needed for air drying books:
• You’ll need plenty of space to spread the books out.
• Strong, plain white paper towels
• Fans to circulate the air in the room
• do not use any heat sources to try to advance the drying
Only use this drying procedure if the books’ covers are still in good condition. Do not use this procedure if the covers are falling off or if the books have glossy/coated paper. Books with glossy or coated paper need a freezing technique to salvage the book after it’s been water damaged. This is best done by a restoration professional, so call Stutters Disaster Kleenup.
1. Leave books closed. Don’t open the books or fan the pages.
2. Cover a flat surface with the strong, white plain absorbent paper towels or another absorbent type of non-print paper.
3. Stand the book on end to help allow any lingering water to drain downwards.
4. Slip plain, white paper towels between the first page and the binding and then the last page and the binding.
5. Change the paper, including the paper on the table after it becomes saturated
6. If possible, keep the humidity in the room below 40-percent to help facilitate drying and prevent mold from developing
7. Circulate the air in the room with fan without aiming the fans directly at the books
For books that are only slightly damp, lay flat on a surface covered with absorbent paper and carefully place a clean weight on top of the book. With sufficient work space and a controlled environment, air drying is practical and convenient way to dry out water damaged books given that there is a limited number of wet books.
In all other instances or if you’re uncomfortable tackling the water damaged books, call the professionals Stutters Disaster Kleenup. We can safely and effectively dry and restore water damaged books, papers, photographs and important documents.
Call Stutters Disaster Kleenup at 1-877-763-1540, we are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
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