SAVING A BOOK FROM WATER DAMAGE

8/1/2020 (Permalink)

If you experience flooding or severe water damage in your Long Beach or Lakewood home, rescuing your possessions from a burst pipe or water leak can become a stressful task. For example, finding a sentimental book or album soaking wet could lead you scrambling to dry it in a hurry and reverse the water damage.

In some cases, these items are not permanently ruined. The following tips can help you save a wet book, even if the pages are incredibly weak or completely soaked with water.

1. Shake out excess water. Even if the book appears to have water damage, there still may be hope. First, move the wet book to a dry area to prevent further damage. If the book is dripping with water, tightly hold it closed and shake out as much as you can.
2. Wipe down the cover. Once the excess water has been removed, use a microfiber cloth to gently wipe down the cover. Avoid wiping the individual pages as they might tear if you apply too much pressure.
3. Absorb the water. Lay down a washcloth on a dry, flat area to serve as a base to absorb the water. Just make sure that the material is not dyed, or it will bleed onto the wet book. Take advantage of direct sunlight to reverse the water damage even faster.
4. Place the book upright. After setting down the washcloth, set the book to stand upright to allow the water to flow down to the base. While hardcover books will be easy, you can use weights or bookends to prop up paperbacks for support.
5. Insert rags behind the covers. Place rags in between the front and back cover only. Avoid placing them in between the pages as they can rip easily.
6. Let the book sit. Allow the book to rest in standing position for as long as necessary to dry completely.

With some patience and ingenuity, a valuable book can be saved from water damage. For additional home and business restoration services, SERVPRO of Downtown Long Beach/Signal Hill has you covered every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to contact us for emergency cleaning and flood damage repair. We are able to restore your possessions using our professional equipment to help reduce the cost and stress of replacing them.