Q During recent storms, our basement flooded and some documents and books got wet. What can we do to salvage them?
A The Minnesota State Historical Society offers advice on restoring valuables. Papers, and especially books, that have been exposed to flood water are fragile, very likely to mold, and difficult to dry successfully. They may be a health hazard, so wear waterproof gloves.
• Individual papers that are damp or wet around the edges can be spread face-up on a paper-covered flat surface and air-dried. The temperature and humidity should be kept as low as possible to discourage mold growth. Once the papers are thoroughly dry, they can be stacked and flattened under weights.
• Books with noncoated paper, if not overly wet, can be stood on end and fanned open to air-dry. Put paper towels between every few pages to help wick out the water, and change the towels regularly until the pages are dry. Keep air moving but do not face a fan directly toward the items. Air-drying a book this way can take several weeks.
• Very wet, coated and uncoated papers and books, if found within 24 hours, can be placed in plastic bags and frozen. Freezing books gives you time to decide if they are worth the cost of drying, and also allows you to locate professional help for especially valuable items.
Note that:
• It's rarely possible to restore a wet book to anything like its original condition.
• Books and papers that are not discovered and dried promptly are likely to be a loss unless treated by a professional. As a precautionary measure, you should photocopy important material once it's dry. (The Historical Society maintains a referral list of conservators in the Twin Cities area. Call 1-800-657-3773, ask for Conservation Outreach, or visit www.mnhs.org.)
