Salvaging flooded prints and negatives

[harpistic]

Hi all - we’ve been storing decades’ worth of family photos and negatives in a cupboard - only to find out yesterday that the flat next door has had a burst pipe, with predictable results…

A lot of the photos are stuck together, either partially or wholly, and likewise for the negs; could we salvage them better if we let them sit as they are to dry out before trying to separate them, and / or is there anything else we could do to increase their chances of survival, or are they doomed as they are?

The photos are mostly matte, but the rest are glossy. I’ve tried uploading one or two photos of what they look like now, but the photo files are too large; the damage is mostly along one side of each photo.

 

[Nod]

This thread and the one linked to within it might be of help.

 

[harpistic]

Thank you so so so very much!

 

[Box Brownie]

Hi all - we’ve been storing decades’ worth of family photos and negatives in a cupboard - only to find out yesterday that the flat next door has had a burst pipe, with predictable results…

A lot of the photos are stuck together, either partially or wholly, and likewise for the negs; could we salvage them better if we let them sit as they are to dry out before trying to separate them, and / or is there anything else we could do to increase their chances of survival, or are they doomed as they are?

The photos are mostly matte, but the rest are glossy. I’ve tried uploading one or two photos of what they look like now, but the photo files are too large; the damage is mostly along one side of each photo.

Oh crumbs!!!!!

I wonder if asking this company for their insights will help???

Home Page

Archival and conservation products and supplies for museums, galleries, libraries and archives in preservation and storage of works of art and artefacts.

www.preservationequipment.com

 

[ChrisR]

Since you're in Edinburgh, Chantal, it just might be worth trying Edinburgh University Library Special Collections, or the Scottish National Library. It's a long shot, but someone might give you a few bits of advice to get you started.

 

[harpistic]

Thank you so so much! I had a catchup with my mother just now, and she's looking for people who can help, that would be great! I had thought of looking for darkrooms near her, but that would be so much better - thank you!

 

[Chappers]

You don;t want to let the prints and negs dry out, but then you don't want to leave them wet for too long. . Personally I would immerse them separately in warn ( not hot) water and try to prise them apart. . Drying the prints naturally may be the best option after you've managed to separate them. Yes they will probably curl a bit, but that's something you will have to live with I'm afraid. pressing them stacked separately under some weights ( a stack of books for example ) may help reduce this. I would use similar treatment for the negatives. If it is 35 mm film the be careful with drying, as film tends to curl as it dries. If you can hang the negatives up and have a make shift drying system that weight the bottom of the negatives that may help. ( Some paper clips may be handy). Also when dry you may see drying marks on the negatives. Using a final rinse using a diluted photographic wetting agent ( The term Photographic is important) should help reduce this. ( Ilfosol wetting agent is the only one I can find at the moment. Although if you can get it Kodak Photoflo is a similar product
Hope this helps