Air Drying

Air drying is the most prevalent method that homeowners usually apply to deal with water-damaged records and books. This inexpensive method works well for a small number of moist or wet documents and can easily be executed in-house as it does not require the use of any special equipment. However, it is a laborious task that requires a great amount of space, constant monitoring of the process, and usually results in an unclear end product. This method is unsuitable for coated paper books. The expenses associated with rehabilitation tend to be higher after air drying than other procedures. Often bound materials need some additional treatment such as pressing and full rebinding, and documents require flattening and re-housing after air drying. Extra storage space is also needed for the documents stabilized and dried using this technique.

Dehumidification

Dehumidification allows homeowners to dry the documents without removing them from shelves and storage containers. Commercial desiccant systems are used to control the temperature and humidity as per requirements. This procedure is not recommended for water-sensitive inks, pigments and coated papers. Dehumidification is generally used to stabilize the building and environment. It is often used in combination with other drying techniques.

Freezer Drying

Documents that are slightly wet or a bit damp can be dried effectively if kept in a blast or frost free for a sufficient amount of time. The temperature in the freezer should always be kept at or under -10 Degrees Fahrenheit. This method can also be used to dry leather and vellum bindings. Place stacks of documents in a freezer. Depending on the freezer’s temperature and level of water damage, it may take several weeks to months for documents to dry.

Vacuum Freeze-Drying

This method is suitable for large quantity of wet documents, including those with water-sensitive inks and coated paper. It involves placing boxes of damaged records and books into a vacuum chamber. A vacuum is drawn, and a heat source is introduced while the temperature in the chamber is maintained below 32 Degrees Fahrenheit. This process of drying materials is known as sublimation, where the water in a solid form (ice) is converted directly into the gaseous form and extracted from the materials. It eliminates the chances of documents being distorted by further wetting. The storage space required for the documents after this method is just a bit more than what they occupied before getting wet.

When it comes to having a commercial or residential building its important to have some sort of temporary heat. When winter comes into effect and with freezing temperature it may be difficult for employees or residents to function. It is important to know what type of heat source to use to heat a building. Using source that run off natural gas, kerosene coal, and other similar fuel types are hazardous and cannot be used in a homes or buildings. Remember when finding a safe heating source that the manual goes with the product. The manual can provide warning and safety tips to allow you properly use the heater.

To help avoid oxygen deficiencies in the environment make sure there is a good ventilation system in the building. It is always discouraged that you use temporary heating equipment is cramped and confined spaces. The small areas often have poor ventilation and temperature control in return causing oxygen deficiency. Always keep supervision on heating sources and never leave them on when there is no one home. Leaving the heating source on can result in a fire from malfunctioning or exploding if gas powered.

It is also important when choosing a temporary heating source that it doesn’t give off strong smells. Having a unit that give a strong odor can signify that it is unhealthy and in the long run cause respiratory system problems. Fumes can lead to nausea, headaches, and other health problems and can cause breathing complications with children that are constantly exposed to it.

Becoming more popular in homes are portable heaters. These heaters need to be used with more caution as they are small and less sophisticated. Make sure to choose a portable heater that has an automatic shut off feature if it happens to tip over. It is crucial that you place the heater away from flammable materials such as blankets, curtains, papers, and other furniture. Have the heater away from exit points and doorways so you can escape in case of a fire. Make sure the temporary heater is regularly and properly maintained. Having dust and dirt build up can increase chances it to malfunction causing a fire. Always remember to shut the heat off and unplug it before cleaning. In all you can never be sure if a fire is going to happen so make sure that all fire detectors in the home or building are working.