What Documents and Photos Can Be Saved After Water Damage?

Start by sorting your documents and photos into three groups: wet but intact, wet and fragile, and dry. Handle wet paper carefully because it tears easily when soaked. Move salvageable items to a clean, dry area away from the floodwater.

For items that are muddy or contaminated, rinse them gently in clean, cold water. Avoid rubbing the surface, as that can smear ink or damage the photo emulsion. Lay them flat on a clean surface or hang them to drip dry, but keep them out of direct sunlight.

• Wet paper is weakest when saturated, so support it with both hands.
• Separate photos with wax paper or parchment to prevent sticking.
• Do not try to peel apart stuck pages or photos while wet.

Photographs are especially vulnerable to water damage because the emulsion can soften and stick to surfaces. If photos are wet, rinse them gently in clean, cold water to remove dirt. Then lay them face up on a clean, dry surface, and let them air dry naturally.

Do not use heat or sunlight to dry photos, as that can cause fading and warping. If photos are stuck together, do not force them apart. Instead, place them in a container of clean water and let them soak for a few minutes, then try to separate them gently.

• Handle photos by the edges to avoid fingerprints on the image.
• Drying photos on a flat surface prevents curling.
• If photos are valuable, consult a professional conservator.

Once your documents are dry, take steps to protect them from future water damage. Store important papers in waterproof containers or fireproof safes. Keep digital copies of critical documents, such as insurance policies and property deeds.

Make a habit of scanning and backing up photos and documents regularly. Use cloud storage or external drives to keep copies safe. If you live in Newark, consider keeping a list of your important documents and their locations in a dry, easily accessible place.

• Use a waterproof bag for documents you need to grab in an emergency.
• Back up digital files to an external hard drive and a cloud service.
• Review your insurance policy to understand what is covered.