How to Save Wet Documents and Photos After Water Damage
To save wet documents and photos, move them out of the wet room, rinse off dirty water if needed, and either air-dry them flat in a cool, dry room with fans or freeze them in zip bags until you have time. Act within 48 hours, before mold grows. Papers soaked in sewage should be photographed for insurance and thrown out unless they are irreplaceable.
When a pipe bursts or monsoon water comes under the door, the first things people grab are often the hardest to replace: family photos, tax papers, a passport, a child's artwork. The good news is that a lot of wet paper can be saved. The bad news is that you have about two days before mold sets in, and Arizona's dry air can make some things worse if they dry too fast.
If the room itself is still wet, start there. Our emergency water extraction arizona crews can pull the water out while you deal with the papers.
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Need Help Now? Tap Here(833) 937-0179What should you save first?
- Legal and ID papers: passports, birth certificates, titles, wills, Social Security cards.
- Photos without negatives or digital copies.
- Insurance, tax and medical records you need for the claim.
- Letters, artwork and keepsakes that cannot be replaced.
- Books and printed files last, since many can be replaced.
Is the water clean or dirty?
Water from a burst supply pipe is clean at first. Water from a dishwasher or washer is "gray." Sewage and flood water from outside are "black" and carry bacteria. Papers soaked in black water are a health risk. Photograph them for your claim and throw them out unless they are truly irreplaceable. Our guide to water damage categories explains the difference.
How do you dry wet documents?
- Work in a cool room with the AC on and fans moving air, not blowing straight at the papers.
- Lay single sheets flat on clean towels or paper towels. Change the towels as they get wet.
- Stand books upright with the pages fanned open a little. Put paper towels between every 20 or so pages.
- Do not use a hair dryer, oven or the sun. Arizona sun dries paper so fast it can warp, curl and fade.
- Do not pull stuck pages apart. Let them dry, then try again.
How do you save wet photos?
Gently rinse dirty photos in a tub of cool, clean water. Hold them by the edges and do not rub the image. Lay them face up on a clean towel to air-dry. If photos are stuck together, soak them in cool water until they come apart on their own. Anything soaked by flood water from outside needs extra care, and the EPA's flooded homes guide explains what is safe to keep.
What if you do not have time to dry everything?
Freeze it. Seal wet papers and photos in zip-top bags, with wax paper between layers, and put them in the freezer. Freezing stops mold and gives you weeks to deal with them, or to send them to a document recovery service. This is often the smartest step during a big cleanup, when you are also dealing with crews, adjusters and wet floors.
Should you list damaged papers on your claim?
Yes. Before you throw anything away, take photos of each item and write a short list. Many policies cover the cost of replacing documents and the value of damaged contents. Our guide on how to document water damage for insurance shows what adjusters want to see. If the paper smells musty even after drying, mold may already be present, and our water damage mold removal page explains what to do about it in the room.
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Get Expert Help 24/7(833) 937-0179Frequently asked questions
Can water-damaged documents be saved?
Often, yes. Papers soaked in clean water can usually be air-dried flat or frozen and dried later. Act within 48 hours to stop mold.
Should I freeze wet documents?
Yes, if you cannot dry them right away. Freezing stops mold and gives you time to dry them later or send them to a recovery service.
Can wet photos be saved?
Many can. Rinse dirty photos in cool water, hold them by the edges, and air-dry them face up. Do not rub the image or use heat.
Should I keep papers soaked in sewage?
Usually not. Sewage carries bacteria. Photograph the items for your insurance claim and throw them out unless they are irreplaceable.
About the author
Noah Miller founded AZ Water Damage Help in Queen Creek to give Arizona homeowners fast, honest water damage help. He writes and updates these guides using public guidance from the EPA, the IICRC, the National Weather Service and Arizona state agencies. More about Noah.