If you've ever had a photo damaged by water or humidity, you know how heart-breaking it can be. All your memories captured in one place, ruined in an instant.
The physical damage to photographs can be significant in a lot of these scenarios. After all, photos are just ink printed on paper. They are, however, protected to some extent within frames. One thing to keep in mind is frames are not impregnable; when wet or exposed to higher humidity levels than they can tolerate it to some extent, but they will be weakened.
Water damage can occur in a variety of ways, not just from house flooding. There's always the danger of water damage if there is too much moisture somewhere. This should be kept in mind when picking where to display your photographs.
In this article, we will discuss some methods that you can use to try and save your precious photos. Saving a photo that has been damaged by water or humidity can be tricky, but with a little bit of effort and patience, it can be done!
Before your photos are irreparably damaged by excessive dampness, the walls you put your frames on show indications of high humidity. The earliest indication of high humidity is mould and mildew growth behind the frame. This occurs when there is a lack of air circulation. This is why most frames don't sit flat against the wall surface.
When frames are put on exterior walls, you're more likely to have mould problems. The higher temperature and greater room humidity inside with the outside temperature cooler and airflow behind the frame restricted can cause mould to develop.
Handle your print with care if you detect moisture damage. The paper will be brittle and may be attached to the glass if moisture is present within the frame. If it's there, white spots will appear on the photo. Peeling a photograph that has become adhered to the picture frame's glass causes more harm than simply removing it would have done originally.
The first step is to remove the photo from its frame. Be very careful when doing this, as you don't want to cause any further damage. Once the photo is out of the frame, gently blot it with a clean, dry cloth. Try not to rub the surface of the photograph, as this can cause more damage.
If the photo is only slightly damp, you can try hanging it in a room with good airflow. A fan can also help speed up the drying process. Just make sure that the photo isn't exposed to direct sunlight, as this can cause the colours to fade.
If the photo is more wet than you first thought, you'll need to take additional steps. First, blot the photo with a clean, dry cloth. Then, place it between two sheets of absorbent paper (such as coffee filters) and weigh it down with something heavy (like a book). Leave it overnight so that the paper can absorb as much moisture as possible.
Once the photo is dry, you can try to salvage it by using a soft pencil eraser to gently rub away any water stains. Be very careful when doing this, as you don't want to damage the photo further. If the stains are too stubborn, you can try using a cotton swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Again, be very careful.
If all of these methods fail, your best bet may be to take the photo to a professional restoration service. They will have more experience and knowledge in how to properly restore damaged photos.
Once the photo has had a chance to dry, you can scan it and save it digitally. This way, even if the physical photograph is lost or damaged beyond repair, you'll still have a copy of it that you can keep for the long term. Saving a photo damaged by water or humidity doesn't have to be impossible - with a little bit of effort, you can salvage your precious memories.
Saving a photo that has been damaged by water or humidity can be tricky, but with a little bit of effort and patience, it can be done. There are several methods that you can try depending on how wet the photo is. If all of these methods fail, your best bet may be to take the photo to a professional restoration service.
By following the steps above, you'll be able to successfully save a photo damaged by water or humidity. So don't give up hope - your memories are worth saving!
At Easyframe we are in the business of providing picture frames to capture your mood and presenting them in a way that can be enjoyed.
You can contact EasyFrame on 01234 856 501 and or sales@easyframe.co.uk and they'll always chat even if you don't want to buy!
Article Posted: 21/04/2022 07:40:08