How to Save Photos and Documents After Water Damage

Photographs, birth certificates, deeds and tax records all disappear in a flood. They are also some of the most recoverable items if you handle them correctly. Paper does not have to be a total loss just because it got wet.

Mold can start on wet paper within a day or two in warm weather, so the first day matters most. This guide covers the practical steps.

Safety first, papers second

Do not enter rooms with standing water near outlets or when the house has structural concerns. Floodwater and sewage can be contaminated, so wear gloves and avoid handling items with bare hands. Move papers to a clean, dry spot only if it is safe.

If the papers are wet but clean

Use cool, dry air and avoid heat. Heat can warp paper and set stains.

When freezing is the better choice

If you cannot dry items within a day or two, freezing buys time. A household freezer stops mold growth and lets you dry the items later, in smaller batches.

• Place items in freezer bags with wax paper between sheets.
• Label bags so you can find items later.
• Freeze books flat or upright with their spine down.
• Rinse mud off photos gently and separate them if you can before freezing.
• Ask a conservator about rare or valuable items.

Wet photographs

Photographs are especially fragile because the emulsion can stick to other prints. Rinse mud off gently in clean water, then lay prints face up on a clean surface to dry. Do not touch the image side.

If prints are stuck together, soak them in clean cool water and slide them apart with care. When a photo is truly precious, ask a professional conservator.

Important documents to prioritize

Photograph each document before you move it, because records of the damage help an insurance claim. Replacement of certificates and cards can be requested from the issuing agency.

Protect them for next time

• Store documents in waterproof containers on a higher shelf.
• Scan or photograph important papers and keep a digital copy.
• Keep a go bag with copies of IDs and policies.
• Put photo albums in plastic bins off the floor.
• Keep important papers away from outside walls and below-grade rooms.

If your home floods, the structure needs drying quickly too. See flood damage restoration and structural drying for how that goes.

Books, files and larger collections

Books can often be saved when treated quickly. Stand them upright with the pages gently fanned and interleave absorbent paper every few pages if they are only damp. Heavily soaked books and file boxes are better frozen until you can deal with them.

Large collections of records, such as business files, may justify a professional document recovery service. Ask about freeze drying, which removes water without thawing paper first, and ask for a written scope before you ship anything.

Whatever you decide, keep a list of what you froze and where it is stored so nothing gets lost during the cleanup.

Do not use heat, a hair dryer or direct sun to speed things along, because heat can set stains and warp prints. Patience protects more than speed does. Label each bag with the date, the room and the contents so you can tell later what needs attention first. Keep the bags upright in a freezer that is not packed too tightly, so the contents stay flat.

According to the published ANSI/IICRC S500 water damage standard, the speed and method of drying decide how much of a structure can be saved, which is why this guide stresses acting early.

Wet paper and photo questions Valrico homeowners ask