Can I Recover Wet Documents?

12/10/2021 (Permalink)

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Is It Possible To Recover Wet Documents?

A flood in St James City, FL, can be a serious problem for any business that has to deal with sensitive information. If your files become contaminated with flood water due to a weather event or damage to the structure, there are a few steps you can take to restore and preserve your wet documents.

1. Collect and Categorize

Preserve the original organization system as much as possible. For example, files in a file cabinet should be removed from any standing water, but kept in their original order and with any accompanying folders or dividers. This will aide professional restoration services in the document drying process. If possible, create a new inventory of all known documents as well as their current state of water damage.

2. Safety

Mold and mildew can begin to set in relatively quickly from the time of the initial flooding event. Note that any wet documents made of paper will be susceptible to retaining these disease agents, including blueprints, books and tax records. Any photographic materials or medical scans may also need attention. Separate the affected documents in a temporary storage area and ensure thorough air circulation. Prevent employees from adding or removing any documents until they have been completely restored.

3. Further Processing

To guarantee optimal safety, a professional service may decide to use a vacuum freeze-drying process. This will help remove water quickly with the fewest possible side effects, such as curling or bleeding. Full sanitation may also require treatment with gamma rays to kill harmful viruses and bacteria. Afterward, prudent business owners may opt to back up the affected documents through digital scans, guaranteeing that any future flood event doesn’t result in a loss of critical information.

No business should be disrupted by a flood for longer than is absolutely necessary. Prevent wet documents from disrupting your schedule by having a plan for recovery in the event of a storm or other catastrophe.