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Emergency Do's and Don'ts for Water Damaged Materials

Advance planning and training are essential, in order to react quickly in the event of a disaster. In addition, here are a few useful reminders when dealing with both small recurring problems, like water leaks, or the first stages of assessment and stabilization of a disaster situation.

DO!

LIMIT DAMAGE
Shut off source of water if possible.
Shield books and papers from source of water. If pouring from above, cover stacks with plastic sheeting or move materials to another location. If flooding from below, make a dam barrier (with sandbags if available, not with books); move materials higher on shelves or move off shelves to another location.

DO GET HELP
Call Facilities to help. Activate the Disaster Response Team.

DO CONTROL TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY IN AREA
Turn off heat, circulate air; use fans, dehumidifiers, outside air, air conditioning. Remove water, use water vacuum, mop, squeegee. Or have this done.

DO ASSESS DAMAGE AND PLAN RECOVERY
If there is time, check value of water damaged books and papers, and salvage those worth saving. Note any materials being discarded to facilitate later withdrawal or replacement decisions. Call conservator about 15th--18th century books, and about all leather, vellum or parchment bindings. Consider separating: (1) damp or only wet-around-the-edges materials to be air dried, from (2) fully soaked and coated-paper materials that should be frozen and vacuum freeze dried.

DO BEGIN RECOVERY
Freeze or dry within 48 hours, coated paper within 6 hours. Air drying, the oldest and most common method of dealing with wet materials, is most suitable for small numbers of damp or slightly wet books and documents. While it requires no special equipment, it is an extremely labor-intensive, tedious process that requires skill and patience. As well, the process can occupy a great deal of space, and it is seldom successful for coated paper books. Furthermore, it can result in badly distorted bindings and textblocks. So, contact conservators for advice/assistance or carefully study guidelines suggested by preservation experts before beginning. Or freeze materials while awaiting a later drying decision.

DO PACK WET BOOKS FOR TRANSPORT TO FREEZERS
Packing DO's & DON'Ts provide tips on how to fill and handle boxes.

DON'T!

  • Don't stack books.
  • Don't open wet books, exposing wet paper that tears easily.
  • Don't press wet books or papers.
  • Don't rub surfaces of paper or books, even if soiled (mud can be brushed off when dry).
  • Don't remove book covers, or remove folders.
  • Don't disturb wet file boxes, prints, drawings or photographic single sheets.
  • Don't separate pages or single sheets of paper unless supported by polyester film or fabric.
  • Don't attempt to write on wet paper or books.
  • Don't use bleaches, detergents, water-soluble fungicides on books or paper.
  • Don't use staples, paper or bulldog clips, adhesive tape, or adhesives of any kind on wet paper.
  • Don't use colored blotting paper or colored paper of any kind to dry books or other documents.