How Do You Restore Flood Soaked Books?
Books can be easily water-damaged in floods and, if not dried out quickly, can encourage the growth of mold and fungus. Drying out books the wrong way can permanently damage them. Taking the time to dry them out the right way can preserve your books for years to come. Determine the type of book you’re dealing with. Books that have glossy pages or specialty coatings can only be restored by a professional. The best odds of successful restoration lie with hard cover books and standard paper. Also, if the book is easily replaceable, it may not be worth your time and effort to attempt restoration. Determine the extent of the water damage. If the book has been floating in water for days, it is likely that that glue in the binding has loosened and this reduces the chances for successful restoration. If the book has already started to grow mold, it should not be restored at home. If it is irreplaceable, a professional may attempt the restoration. On the other hand, if the book has been recentl