NARA/Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers/Aug 1993

"Emergency Salvage of Flood Damaged Family Papers"
August 1993


As the national repository of the records of the Federal govern-
ment, the National Archives & Records Administration recognizes
the importance of family records.  During the mid-west floods of
1993, the staff of the National Archives developed some technical
tips to guide individuals in emergency stabilization and salvage
of damaged documents, photographs, books, and other personal
papers.  It is important to note that flood damage to some items
may be irreversible.  The treatment of objects of high monetary,
historic, or sentimental value should only be performed in
consultation with a conservator.

MOLD
Many people are sensitive to mold.  Also, some mold species are
toxic.  If any health effects are observed when treating mold
consult a doctor or mycologist (the local extension service may
be able to help) before proceeding.

The best way to prevent or stop an outbreak of mold is to remove
items from environmental conditions that encourage mold growth:
high temperature, high relative humidity, stagnant air, and
darkness.  The first priority is to dry moldy items (see instruc-
tions for drying below).  If wet and moldy materials cannot be
dried immediately they may be stabilized by freezing.  Placing
damaged items in a personal or commercial freezer will not kill
mold.  It will, however, put the mold in a dormant state until
time and an appropriate treatment environment are available.
Manageable quantities of frozen items may then be defrosted and
treated at leisure.

Active mold looks fuzzy or slimy.  Dormant mold is dry and
powdery.  Do not attempt to remove active mold; it may only
spread or smear.  Mold which remains active after freezing or
after the host material appears dry may be treated with brief (1-
2 hours) exposure to ultraviolet radiation from the sun.  Extreme
caution must be exercised when treating materials outdoors: too
much radiation will accelerate deterioration and may cause
fading; wind may cause physical damage if items are blown about;
and high relative humidity or condensation caused by quick
temperature changes may actually exacerbate mold growth.

Dormant mold spores will reactivate as soon as conditions are
favorable.  They should, therefore, be removed from items and may
be brushed or vacuumed away.  This treatment should be performed
outdoors where other materials and spaces will not be "infected."
When brushing mold use a soft, clean, light-colored brush and a
gentle pushing motion.  Change soiled brushes often to prevent
spreading mold from one object to another.  When vacuuming,
screening material placed over the nozzle of a low suction vacuum
will capture loose bits of the item which may inadvertently
dislodge.

CLEANING AND DRYING
Paper is very fragile when it is wet.  Handle it carefully.  In
some cases it may be desirable to remove caked on mud and dirt.
Dirt left by receding flood waters may be contaminated.  Precau-
tions such as the use of rubber gloves should be taken.  If items
are still wet, agitating them in a bath of clear water will re-
move excess dirt.  This treatment should never be attempted for
images which are blurred, feathered, or faded as a result of
flood damage.

AIR DRYING

Wet books, documents, or photographs which cannot be air dried
within two days should be frozen to inhibit mold growth.  Circu-
lating air will effectively dry most items.  Physical distortions
may result, but document information will be saved.  To provide
optimal air drying conditions, fans should be positioned for
maximum air circulation (do not aim air flow directly at drying
materials).  Blotting material for air drying should be clean and
absorbent.  Options include: blotter paper, unprinted newsprint
paper, paper towels, rags, mattress pads, etc.  Screening materi-
al (such as window screens) well supported and stacked with space
between them provide an excellent compact drying surface.  The
porous surface assists air circulation and promotes drying.

Without intervention glossy materials such as paperback book
covers, magazines, art books, etc. are likely to stick together.
If they are highly valued, these items should be the first
priority for salvage.  Loose glossy materials should be spread
out in one layer for air drying.  Bound glossy materials must be
interleaved between every page to prevent sticking.  Wax paper
should be used as interleaving material.  Volumes of glossy paper
dried in this way may suffer considerable physical distortion.

Books
Place interleaving material between the text block and the front
and back covers.  If time and supplies allow interleaving materi-
al should be placed intermittently throughout the text as well.
Fan volumes open and stand them on edge with the interleaving
paper extending beyond the edges of the book.  Evaporation of
water as it wicks into the interleaving paper will enhance
drying.  Replace interleaving paper as it becomes soaked and
invert the volume each time to insure even drying.

Documents
Air dry flat in small piles (1/2 inch) or individually if possi-
ble.  Change blotting material beneath the materials as it
becomes soaked.

Photographs, Negatives, Motion Picture Film
Several classes of photographs are highly susceptible to water
damage and the recovery rate will be very low.  Avoid touching
the surface of photographic prints and negatives.  If an old
photographic process cannot be identified, observe the item
carefully and contact a conservator for advice.  Never freeze old
photographs or negatives.

Most prints, negatives, and slides may successfully be individu-
ally air dried face up.  Change blotting material beneath the
photographs as it becomes soaked.  Contemporary photographic
prints and negatives which are still wet and have stuck together
may separate after soaking in cold water.  However, this type of
treatment could cause irreversible damage.  Highly valued items,
especially prints for which there is no longer a negative, should
be referred to a conservator immediately.

Framed Items
Remove the backing material from the frame.  If the item is not
stuck to the glass, carefully remove it from the frame and air
dry.  If the object appears to be stuck to the glass, do not
attempt to remove it from the frame.  Dry intact with the glass
side down.


Occasionally object damage is irreversible.  The treatment of
items of high monetary, historic, or sentimental value should
only be performed in consultation with a conservator.  Decisions
about the treatment of materials belonging to an institution
should only be made by appropriate personnel.  The American
Institute for Conservation (202-452-9545) maintains a referral
list of conservators who will be able to provide guidance for
treating private collections.




This publication was produced as a public service.  It may be
reproduced and distributed freely in part or in its entirety.
When duplicating individual articles please copy them exactly as
they appear so that proper credit will be given to the originat-
ing institution.

The editors of this publication will be collaborating on addi-
tional projects.  If there are issues which you would like to see
addressed in the future please send your ideas to:

     Preservation Policy and Services Division
     National Archives & Records Administration
     8th & Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
     Washington, DC 20408

     Fax       (202)219-9324
