Document & Photo Drying Capabilities

7/14/2022 (Permalink)

The key to preserving documents in the aftermath of an emergency is taking swift action.

Every once in a while, we like to highlight a service that you might not know we offer. This time, we are highlighting our document and photo drying service, which is just one of our many types of Cleaning Services. In this blog, we’ll utilize some potential questions that you may have about our Document Drying service in order to communicate exactly how much SERVPRO Team Wall can do to completely restore your home or business after any emergency.

When Is Document Drying Needed?

In any type of loss, whether it be water damage sustained from a flood or storm, mold damage, or smoke or fire damage, paper documents, including paper certifications and contracts, as well as photographs and photo albums, are at risk for damage. Water damage can cause staining, just as fire damage can cause paper to burn or become exposed to smoke and soot. The key to preserving documents in the aftermath of an emergency is taking swift action. 

State-of-the-Art Techniques and Technology

Here at SERVPRO, we have our own document restoration facility and employ multiple, advanced technologies and techniques to save documents after water, storm, fire, and mold losses. Freeze drying (also known as vacuum freezing), is one such technique. Also used by the Library of Congress to preserve historical documents, freeze drying is a trusted technique, as it is approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA). Another method is gamma irradiation, which functions to safely sterilize documents that have been exposed to various harmful substances, such as bacteria, viruses, pesticides, chemicals, sewage, and flood water. Lastly, we have the capability of digitizing documents, which can save documents from damage in future losses. 

What Can I Do Before Help Arrives?

After calling SERVPRO for assistance in the aftermath of an emergency, there are several actions that you can take in order to prevent further damage while you wait for help to arrive. First, gather your documents and note which will require restoration services. Once they are gathered, be sure to store them upright instead of laying them flat. If possible, stick documents in the fridge or freezer to prevent mold and other types of further deterioration. If you are unable to do so, SERVPRO can send a refrigerated truck to your property so that you can store your documents onsite before we arrive.

SERVPRO Can Handle Every Aspect of the Job

Unfortunately, some damage, like deep ink runs and mold stains, is irreversible. However, if you act fast, there is an increased chance that your documents can be saved after a loss. At the first sight of damage, call SERVPRO of Hunt Valley and Harford County at (410) 229-0012 for professional and experienced Document and Photo Drying services. Follow this link for an overview of our document drying process and visit our website to learn more about how SERVPRO Team Wall can make damage “Like it never even happened” in the event of a water, fire, storm, or mold emergency in your residential or commercial property.