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The process of restoring water-damaged books can be complicated, time-consuming, and costly, so it is no wonder that institutions such as museums, libraries, and schools are constantly looking for new and effective ways to prevent water damage as well as plans of action if such damage does occur. Rare book rooms are common in most major libraries and bookstores in the country, and some museums and organizations are home to the most valuable, important pieces of literary history. The American Bible Society’s Rare Book Collection contains the first edition of the King James Bible, the Rare Book & Special Collections division of the Library of Congress houses hundreds of first-edition books from throughout American history, and even most colleges and universities have very important rare book collections. When these collections are damaged by water or mold, the institutions that house them not only face a significant financial loss, the world loses a vital part of its history as well.

Isn’t it interesting how some relics of popular culture fall out of fashion, while others enjoy continued popularity among retro enthusiasts? Old 8-track tapes, for instance, are basically worthless, while vinyl record collections can retain their value for decades. Vinyl LPs can even gain value as time goes by – assuming, of course, they’re in good condition. Our experience providing disaster recovery services has turned up many examples of mildew- and mold damaged records. Left long enough, mildew and mold can render a vinyl record totally unplayable. However, if your mold damaged records aren’t too dirty to salvage, you can follow the instructions below to restore them to their previous vinyl glory.

When it comes to moisture management, food industry experts work hard to keep humidity levels down in processing facilities when outdoor temperatures rise. Food borne illnesses are more prevalent during the warmer, more humid months of the year because bacteria thrive and multiply in balmy conditions. The effects of warm, humid weather can have negative impacts on the quality of food, ultimately leading to a product that is not suitable for distribution or consumption. Take preventive action while the weather is still cool and avert a moisture crisis during the summer.

The wet season in the winter months is one of the best times of year for molds to grow and expand. Often mold is contained near sources of water where it can easily grow and reproduce. As it grows, mold can break down and compromise the integrity and strength of the source in which it lives.