General Care
Treatment of Water Damaged Items
The treatment of items of high monetary, historic or sentimental value should be referred to a conservator. For help finding a conservator, seek out a professional picture framer who is a member of the Professional Picture Framers AssociationTM (PPFA®), the international trade association for the art and framing industry. PPFA works to elevate professional standards in the industry by providing advanced educational programs and encouraging the continued professional development of custom picture framers. Be sure to look for the purple-and-white PPFA member decal on the shop door or window.
Safety precautions
Wear protective, latex gloves and long sleeves. If mold is present, wear a respirator. Some mold species are toxic. Wash your hands after handling materials with mold.
Air-drying
Absorb excess moisture using a clean sponge, white paper or white towels, etc. Do not blot on handwritten ink or fragile surfaces. Use fans to provide maximum air circulation, but do not aim fans directly at the drying materials.
Air-drying paper documents, maps, posters, etc.
Paper is very fragile when wet and must be handled with care; provide adequate support. Blot excess water off the documents. Do not blot on handwritten ink. Do not attempt to separate individual items while very wet. If pages can be separated safely they can be placed between absorbent or separating materials, such as waxed paper. Change interleaving materials until items are dry.
Clean, rust-free window screens, stacked using bricks or wood blocks between them, will provide a drying surface with maximum air circulation. If drying items on a hard surface, cover the area with absorbent materials and change them when wet.
When items are almost dry, place them between protective sheets, such as unprinted newsprint paper, and use a light weight to flatten them.
Air-drying framed items
Place the frame glass-side down and remove the backing materials. Carefully remove the object and air-dry. If the object is stuck to the glass, do not try to remove it; instead dry the frame with the object inside, glass-side down, on a flat surface.
Air-drying photographic materials
Some items may be very sensitive to water damage and may not be recoverable. Most prints can be air-dried. The emulsion side should be face up. Avoid touching the front surface of wet or damp photographic prints.
This information is from "Emergency Drying Procedures for Water Damaged Collections," by the Library of Congress.
Prepared by the Professional Picture Framers Association. © Copyright Professional Picture Framers Association, 3000 Picture Place, Jackson, Michigan 49201, 517-788-8100, August 2006. All rights reserved.