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Drying Flood-Damaged Books and Family Papers

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. Suggestions for drying papers and books:

• 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 non-coated 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 twenty-four 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.

Please note that it's rarely possible to restore a wet book to anything like its original condition. Books and papers which are not discovered and dried promptly are probably going to be lost unless treated by a professional. Even if they appear to have dried successfully, they may still disintegrate. As a precautionary measure, you should photocopy important material once it's dry.

Protecting family papers and treasures is important. Very valuable papers such as stocks and bonds, property records, contracts, and birth and marriage certificates are best kept in a safe deposit box. Other papers and mementos should be stored in moisture-proof containers; examples of suitable containers include home safes and plastic food containers with secure seals. Visit the Minnesota State Historical Society web site or call 1-800-657-3773 for advice on restoring valuable papers.