Drying out. Re: Water damaged computer books available

From: Joe R. <rigdonj_at_cfl.rr.com>
Date: Mon Jan 26 12:35:55 2004

At 10:06 AM 1/26/04 -0800, Dwight wrote:
>Hi
> To save these, first freeze them to stop damage.
>Find some palce that does freeze drying.

  
   Hmmm. I'll bet you could send them to Ethan and all he's have to do is
set them outside!

   Has anyone ever tried to make their own freeze drier using something
like a pressure cooker and vacuum pump? I've been thinking about it but
never tried it.

   FWIW I've had good look recovering wet books and such by opening EVERY
page and sprinking them liberally with baking soda. (I use a large salt
shaker.) If possible I leave them in a warm spot with a fan blowing on
them. I leave them a few days and then shake it out. If it's still damp I
repeat until it's bone dry. The baking soda absorbs moisture and helps
prevent mold and mildew and also de-oderize the book. It also spreads the
pages apart and helps prevent them from sticking together. The trick is
that you have to do it before the pages start to dry out and stick
together. This is where freezing comes in, if you have more books than you
can handle, freeze them till you can get around to drying them.

   Joe
Received on Mon Jan 26 2004 - 12:35:55 GMT