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Document Restoration Services

When a home or business is damaged by flood, fire or some other emergency, fast response is essential. Especially when it comes to restoring small but important items made of paper: photographs, certificates and vital documents. The sooner you act, the better the chance they won’t be lost.

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(800) 737-8776

Photograph and Document Restoration

As a leader in the cleanup and restoration industry, SERVPRO knows that timely mitigation is key to recovering your damaged possessions. This is particularly true for paper items. Books, photographs and documents are some of the most valued contents in your home. And after a disaster, they can sustain smoke, water and mold damage. Beginning the paper restoration process on these items as soon as possible is necessary so they won’t be lost forever.

We coordinate the packout of all documents for transportation to the document restoration facility. The document restoration team has training and experience in photo restoration, document freeze-drying and old document restoration. State-of-the-art technology is used to help restore your paper goods to as close to their pre-damaged condition as possible.

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Water Damage RestorationOdor RemovalFrequently Asked Questions

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Why Trust SERVPRO for Document Restoration Services?

Why Choose SERVPRO

24/7 Emergency Service

Water damage to important documents, priceless photos, or even treasured memories, requires a quick response to prevent further damage or total loss of items.

Why Choose SERVPRO

Uniquely-trained Teams

SERVPRO will get the job done right. We’re backed by state-of-the-art equipment, experience, and professionals trained to the highest standards.

Why Choose SERVPRO

#1 Choice in the Cleanup and Restoration

With more than 50 years of experience in the cleanup and restoration industry, and with more than 2,400 locations in the U.S. and Canada, you can find a SERVPRO near you.

Why Choose SERVPRO

Easier Insurance Claims Process

SERVPRO will help you navigate the insurance claims process and coordinate the necessary paperwork for a quicker, easier experience.

Our Document Restoration Facility

If your documents have been damaged, we can service them in our Document Restoration Facility, which includes:
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Latest Technology

The latest technology and methods like document freeze-drying and gamma irradiation technology for sterilizing, drying, cleaning/disinfecting, re-jacketing and deodorization
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24/7 Survelliance

24/7 surveillance managed by HIPAA master-certified technicians
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Digitizing Abilities

Ability to digitize your documents in our computerized inventory system
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Large Loss Accomodation

Ability to accommodate large commercial losses or small residential jobs

Document Drying & Restoration Techniques

SERVPRO uses state-of-the-art technology in the drying and restoration of water-damaged photos and other paper items, including:
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Vacuum Freeze

This document drying restoration service is the same method used by the Library of Congress to dry valuable historic documents and books. Our vacuum freeze-drying process is the only method approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).
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Gamma Irradiation

A process to safely and effectively sterilize documents that have been exposed to bacteria, viruses, pesticides and other harmful chemicals during sewage and flood water disasters.
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Digitization Services

In the digital age, converting your paper files and photos to digital formats can have an invaluable impact on your business or home. With the help of SERVPRO’s restoration professionals to digitize your documents, you can save storage space and have access to your records at the touch of a button. Most importantly, you’ll have digital copies of your valuable documents that can’t be lost in a flood or fire.

What to Do:

Tips on Caring for Documents Until Restoration Begins
It’s important to get damaged documents frozen as soon as possible to help prevent mold and/or further deterioration from occurring. Documents can be frozen at a local cold storage facility or in a home freezer or refrigerator. We also can send a refrigerated truck to store the documents to help stabilize them on-site until they’re ready to ship to our facility.
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Gather Documents

If possible, gather and take note of all documents that need restoration. This will allow for a smooth pack out once SERVPRO arrives to assist.
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Act Swiftly

Swift action is imperative for document losses. The sooner they are addressed, there’s higher probability of better quality documents.
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Understand the Process

Understand that some damage is permanent, such as ink runs, and ink or mold stains. This type of damage is already deeply embedded into the papers’ fibers at the time of loss. Our services do not undo or reverse this type of damage. Once documents are damaged, they will likely not look brand new again.

What Not to Do:

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Don't Re-Moisturize

If you notice the documents are beginning to dry, don’t re-moisturize them. This will hinder the restoration process and can risk further deterioration.
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Don't Lay Documents Flat

If possible, do not lay the documents flat. This increases the risk of mold growth and documents sticking together, which hinders the restoration process. It’s best to place the documents in an upright position.

Steps in Our Document Restoration Process

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Pack Out/Delivery

We will pack the documents and place them on a truck to deliver them to the document restoration facility in Gallatin, Tennessee.
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Inventory/Assessment

Our production team will perform an internal inventory of your items and determine what services are recommended for recovery.
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Freezer

The documents are placed in our on-site freezer to help stabilize until approval has been received to begin restoration services.
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Vacuum Freeze-Drying

Once we have received approval to move forward with services, the documents are placed in the vacuum freeze-drying chamber to dry.
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Gamma Irradiation

If needed, the documents are sent to the gamma irradiation facility to sterilize.
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Additional Services

Additional services, such as hand cleaning or deodorization, are performed by our staff. Once all services have been complete, we will reach out to schedule return shipping.
FAQ icon
Can water damaged pictures be restored?

Yes, in many situations, water damaged pictures and documents can be restored. Our Document Restoration Team uses the same technique that the Library of Congress uses to dry water-damaged books. The state-of-the-art technology we use is the only method approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA).

What types of documents and media can be restored?

We can restore most types of paper documents, including photos, photo albums, yearbooks, x-rays, and more.

How is paper document restoration and photo restoration done?

Vacuum freeze drying is the preferred method of document drying as it does not alter the structure of paper fibers, unlike some other methods.

With our custom-designed drying chamber, we are able to use vacuum freeze drying technology to vaporize the water in affected items. This process begins with an item containing moisture that is frozen and dried using various vacuums and pressures to achieve sublimation. Sublimation is the direct conversion of a solid (ice) into a gas (water vapor), without passage through the liquid stage.

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