There is a lot of information out there when it comes to handling water damage in your home or business, less when it comes to the items and valuables in your home that may be damaged as a result of the same water problem. The fact is that water can damage almost anything it touches if the amount and duration are long enough.

In any case of water damage, it is most important to make sure that you and your family are safe. Possessions may be valuable to you, but none of them are worth risking your life over.

There are various ways to treat your valuables. Here are a few tips for some of the more precarious cases.

Photographs should be removed from their frames and rinsed with cool, clean water. Do not touch, rub, or blot the surfaces. Use clips to hang them up and air dry them, keeping them from coming in contact with each other.

Paintings should be removed from their frames and hung up in a safe and dry location. They should not be separated from their stretchers, however. Keep them horizontal, paint side up, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight.

Books are trickier, but can still be salvaged if handled correctly. Hold the book closed to rinse it off, then open to a 90 degree angle to allow to dry.

Papers or documents should be laid flat and allowed to dry individually (i.e. no stacking). If stacks of paper are wet, do not attempt to separate them until they have been dried.

Wood furniture should be rinsed with water and allowed to air dry. Weigh down or clamp down veneers while drying. Particle board furniture is best thrown out as it acts like a sponge and can prove almost impossible to successfully treat.

Upholstered furniture should ideally be treated by a professional. Leather and rawhide can be successfully rinsed off, removing mud and excess water, and padded dry with a towel to maintain shape.

If water damage is extensive, it becomes vitally important to prioritize your needs in this area. Not everything that is damaged can be saved. You need to determine what means the most to you and what is most deserving of the time, effort, and finances that will be required to repair and restore following a water damage event.

Unfortunately, when dealing with water damage, many times the problem is so overwhelming that most homeowners not only don’t know where to start, but they also have zero idea of how to best go about it. That is not a good way to try and begin caring for things like your home or valuables.

Water Damage Local.com is the answer for all of your water or flood damage issues. Our network of IICRC certified providers is available 24/7 to handle all of your flood damage and water restoration needs, from basic fixes such as water removal, extraction and drying, to more specialized jobs such as carpet cleaning and mold removal. And yes, they can also take care of your valuables, antiques, heirlooms, and other possessions that you would like to see salvaged.

If you’re facing water issues, don’t wait. Contact Water Damage Local.com today for a free estimate or phone consultation.

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