Document Restoration

When a home or business has been damaged by flood, fire or some other emergency, acting quickly to restore small but important items made of paper, such as photographs, certificates and vital documents, will help prevent them from being lost for good.

Your detected location is:

National Call Center

Need help elsewhere?

24/7 Emergency Service

(800) 737-8776

Specialists in Document Restoration

As a leader in the cleanup and restoration industry, SERVPRO® knows that timely mitigation is the key to recovering your damaged possessions. This is particularly true for paper items that can sustain smoke, water and mold damage following a disaster. Books, photographs and documents are some of the most valued contents in your home. Beginning the paper restoration process on these items as soon as possible is necessary so they won’t be lost forever. Our technicians are trained to appropriately pack out all documents for transportation to the document restoration facility. Our document restoration team has training and experience in specialties, including photo restoration services, document freeze-drying and old document restoration. We use state-of-the-art technology to help restore your paper goods to as close to their pre-damaged condition as possible.

Quick Links:

Water Damage Restoration Odor Removal Frequently Asked Questions

Have another question?

Why Trust SERVPRO for Document Restoration Services?

Provide 24/7 Emergency Service

Water-damaged photos and other damage to valuable papers require a fast response to help prevent further damage or total loss of these items.

Highly Trained Team

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

#1 in the Cleanup and Restoration Industry

We’re a trusted leader in the restoration industry.

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:

Latest Technology

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

24/7 Survelliance

24/7 surveillance managed by HIPAA master-certified technicians

Digitizing Abilities

Ability to digitize your documents in our computerized inventory system

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:

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).

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.

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.

Tips on Caring for Documents Until Restoration Begins

What to Do:

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.

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.

Act Swiftly

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

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:

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.

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

Pack Out/Delivery

We will pack the documents and place them on a truck to deliver them to the document restoration fac...

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

Inventory/Assessment

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

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

Freezer

The documents are placed in our on-site freezer to help stabilize until approval has been received t...

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

Vacuum Freeze-Drying

Once we have received approval to move forward with services, the documents are placed in the vacuum...

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

Gamma Irradiation

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

Additional Services

Additional services, such as hand cleaning or deodorization, are performed by our staff. Once all se...

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.

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.

More FAQs

Recommended For You

Water Damage Restoration
When water damage happens to your home, SERVPRO^® will respond quickly to begin the process...
Read More
Odor Removal

SERVPRO^® uses state-of-the-art products, equipment and techniques to rid your home of per...
Read More
Specialty Cleaning Services
The certified technicians at SERVPRO^® are available to help homeowners tackle specialty cl...
Read More

Document Restoration

Your detected location is:

Specialists in Document Restoration

Quick Links:

Why Trust SERVPRO for Document Restoration Services?

Provide 24/7 Emergency Service

Highly Trained Team

#1 in the Cleanup and Restoration Industry

Easier Insurance Claims Process

Our Document Restoration Facility

Latest Technology

24/7 Survelliance

Digitizing Abilities

Large Loss Accomodation

Document Drying & Restoration Techniques

Vacuum Freeze

Gamma Irradiation

Digitization Services

Tips on Caring for Documents Until Restoration Begins

What to Do:

Gather Documents

Act Swiftly

Understand the Process

What Not to Do:

Don't Re-Moisturize

Don't Lay Documents Flat

Steps in Our Document Restoration Process

Pack Out/Delivery

Inventory/Assessment

Freezer

Vacuum Freeze-Drying

Gamma Irradiation

Additional Services

Recommended For You

@media (min-width: 1024px){.css-1tyn4o5{display:inline;}}Water Damage Restoration

Odor Removal

Specialty Cleaning Services

Water Damage Restoration