| Museums, libraries, and schools across the United | | | | your books have sustained and what drying |
| States are continually researching new and effective | | | | technique is most appropriate. You can reduce the |
| ways to prevent water damage to ensure the | | | | risk of permanent damage to a book collection, |
| longevity of rare and precious books and documents. | | | | however, by taking a few steps immediately after |
| Rare book rooms are commonplace in many major | | | | the damage has been found. |
| libraries and some museums and organizations are | | | | Humidity |
| home to the most valuable, important pieces of | | | | Humidity is one of the main sources of book mold or |
| literary history. Places like the American Bible Society's | | | | water damage. It is important to keep your archives |
| Rare Book and the Rare Book & Special | | | | in a very cool, dry place to reduce the likelihood of |
| Collections division of the Library of Congress house | | | | mold outbreaks. If damage has already set in, open |
| some of the most highly-valued first-edition books | | | | windows and doors and set up as many fans in the |
| from throughout American history. It is vital for | | | | affected area as possible. This creates air flow in the |
| future generations that these collections are | | | | area and reduces the amount of humidity. |
| protected against water or mold damage. | | | | De-humidifiers are also a good option. Never open |
| Just as these rare books are important to posterity, | | | | water-damaged books or separate individual sheets |
| each homeowner also keeps items they consider | | | | of paper as this may cause further damage that can |
| precious for their future family members. Things like | | | | be irreparable. |
| family photo albums, family bibles and other books | | | | Consider Restoration Professionals |
| and documents could fall prey to water or mold | | | | For most books, especially those of extreme |
| damage if not properly stored or cleaned. There are | | | | importance, the salvaging and drying process should |
| things to consider when assessing the ability to | | | | be done using a professional service. Book restoration |
| salvage water damaged books as well as various | | | | specialists use technologies and drying techniques that |
| methods for doing so. | | | | are much more effective and far less damaging than |
| The Extent of Water Damage | | | | basic do-it-yourself techniques. Two techniques are |
| Water or mold damage, unfortunately can strike | | | | widely used and very effective. The desiccant air dry |
| even the most prepared institutions. Broken plumbing | | | | distribution systems lowers humidity in the drying |
| pipes, natural disasters or broken ventilation systems | | | | area, allowing more of the water trapped in the book |
| can all lead to damaged books. Museums, libraries and | | | | or document to evaporate. The vacuum-freeze |
| schools try to understand the different types of | | | | drying system distribute pressure evenly around the |
| drying techniques and how they affect certain | | | | drying book, reducing warp, maintaining the original |
| composite materials in order to best save water | | | | look and feel of the books or documents, and |
| damaged books when these problems happen. Water | | | | ensuring that future damage does not set in. |
| absorption depends on the age, condition, and | | | | Most attempts by individuals to dry damaged books |
| material of the paper that has been damaged. Books | | | | themselves will result in warped or ruined products. |
| published before 1840 will generally absorb much | | | | By employing book restoration experts, books can |
| more water than currently printed books, therefore | | | | be better handled and more closely be returned in |
| running a much higher risk of experiencing swelling or | | | | nearly new conditions. |
| mold damage. Leather bound books of the 15 | | | | Water and mold damage can affect both prepared |
| through 17 centuries can usually be restored using | | | | and unprepared institutions and home owners. Taking |
| extremely controlled procedures. However, modern | | | | the time to understand how the damage has |
| books typically use badly processed leather which | | | | effected important materials, especially precious |
| makes water damage restoration nearly impossible. | | | | books, and incorporating the aid of professionals will |
| Professional recovery service providers are the best | | | | ensure these items will be restored for future |
| at determining the precise extent of water damage | | | | generations. |