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Saving Water-Damaged Books

When flood waters recede, water-damaged books are a common problem for returning residents. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has obtained general information and recommendations from the Heritage Emergency National Task Force about initial steps to take in salvaging wet books.

• Spend your valuable time on important volumes. Do not attempt to salvage books that can be replaced easily or that you don't mind discarding.
• If the books are underwater or soaking wet, pick up each one with both hands and place it in a non-paper container (milk crate, wire basket, etc.) so it can be transported safely to an area where you can dry it. Keep the book closed while you move it; wet books are very fragile. Remember: the wetter the book, the heavier it is and the more likely to be damaged by rough handling.
• Once the books are in a dry area, you can begin the drying process. Watch temperature and relative humidity during salvage. If your books are in a warm and humid place with little air circulation, they will mold and may be ruined permanently.
• The best way to dry books is with cool, dry, circulating air. Never dry them by using an oven, microwave, hair dryer or iron.
• It is important to make the right decision about which books must begin drying lying flat and which can be dried standing up. Large books or volumes that are not self-supporting should always be dried lying flat.
• If the volume is very wet, place it flat on a clean table or bench that is covered with absorbent material. Carefully place sheets of absorbent material (paper towels, blotters or uninked newsprint) between sections of pages. Do not use so many blotting sheets that the binding becomes distorted. Change the sheets as they become wet. To speed drying, change the location of the blotters each time they are replaced. Be gentle: wet paper is very fragile.
• If the volume is damp or only partially wet, stand it upright on its driest edge with its pages fanned open. If you are using fans to keep the air circulating, make sure the spines or covers are facing the breeze. If needed, insert blotting materials as described above.
• Once the book is dry but feels cool to the touch, close it and place it on its side with a slight weight on it. Check regularly for mold growth.
• Some books are printed on coated paper, which is smooth, shiny and often used for color reproductions. Illustrated journals and "coffee-table" volumes are usually printed on coated paper. When coated paper gets wet, the leaves of the book tend to stick together. Once they have dried, the pages usually cannot be separated, and the chance of recovering the book is slim. You can try to dry them as above, but use waxed paper instead of absorbent sheets.
• If you have more wet books than can be air dried in two days, freezing may be the best option. Before placing the books in the freezer, wrap them in waxed paper and pack them snugly, spine down, in a sturdy container. They can be defrosted later for air-drying when conditions improve or when you have more time. If you have a large quantity of wet books to freeze, you should consult a conservator for advice on how to proceed.

Valuable artifacts and photographs should be handled by a professional conservator. If you would like a free referral for a conservator, you may contact the American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works, 1717 K Street, NW, Suite 301, Washington, DC 20036; (202) 452-9545; fax: (202) 452-9328

Last Modified: Wednesday, 11-Aug-2010 14:49:39 EDT