Beware of Wet Documents!

Water Damage Tips from CLC Extreme Clean
Water damage doesn’t always come from a major disaster. A tipped coffee mug, a leaking pipe, or a sudden storm can soak books, files, and loose papers just as easily as a flood. What matters most is how quickly — and carefully — you respond. The same general approach works whether you’re dealing with a single damp folder or a box of saturated books, with small adjustments depending on how wet the materials are.
If you can’t begin drying immediately, freezing is a practical way to buy time. Wrap wet books or stacks of documents in plastic and place them in a freezer. This helps stop further deterioration and slows mold growth. It’s especially useful when you have more items than you can handle at once. Before freezing, allow excess water to drip off if possible — but never squeeze books or force pages apart.
For thoroughly soaked items, let gravity do some of the work. Stand books upright on their head or tail and place thick paper towels just inside the covers. Keep the pages closed at this stage, since wet paper tears easily. As the towels absorb moisture, replace them with dry ones. Place a towel or tray underneath to catch runoff and protect surfaces.
Once materials are no longer dripping but still wet, you can move to more active drying. Insert paper towels between sections of pages rather than between every page to avoid warping. For loose documents, lay them flat with absorbent paper above and below. Check them frequently and replace damp towels as needed.
When pages reach a slightly damp stage and feel more stable, gentle airflow can help complete the process. Spread pages just enough to allow air circulation. A room fan or natural airflow works well. Avoid heat, strong blasts of air, or direct sunlight, as these can cause curling, cracking, ink bleeding, or uneven drying.
Before items dry completely, bring them back together to help maintain their shape. Close books with clean paper towels still inside the covers and lay them flat with a light weight on top. Stack documents neatly between absorbent sheets and apply gentle pressure. Covers, bindings, folds, and edges take longer to dry, so inspect these areas carefully. Overlooked moisture can lead to long-term damage or mold growth.
If any type of water damage occurs in your home — especially beyond a small spill — it’s best to contact a trusted restoration professional. At CLC Extreme Clean, we’re equipped to handle water damage quickly and thoroughly to protect your property and belongings.
Because when it comes to water damage…
It pays to call a pro! 575-937-4385