What is an Important Document?
An important document is something that holds value. Below are 10 examples of what are considered important documents.
- Social Security cards
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Passports
- Insurance documents
- Retirement accounts
- Bank statements
- Medical information
- A will and/or living will
- Powers of attorney
It is important that all types of documents are stored in a safe place, especially to help prevent any kind of damage should a disaster strike your residential or commercial property. According to Dave Ramsey , “You should hold on to a document if you think you might need it, if it is a personal identification document, if it is something that has to do with your finances, or if it protects your future (like life insurance or a will).” Furthermore, Consumer Reports outlines how long to keep tax documents and other important documents.
Restoring Water Damaged Pictures
If you have photos that were damaged by water damage, don’t lose hope. In many circumstances, water damaged pictures and documents can be restored. With our effective document/photograph drying services , we can restore and help minimize further damage. Our document restoration team uses the same method as the Library of Congress. In fact, did you know that the state-of-the-art technology we utilize is the only method approved by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) and the General Services Administration (GSA)?
- Vacuum Freeze
- Gamma Irradiation
- Digitization Services
Tips on Caring for Documents Until Restoration Begins
Should you experience an event such as storm, water, or fire damage, and your important documents are affected, it is helpful to know what to do and not do until professional help arrives.
What to Do After Documents are Damaged
Gather Documents
- Gather and take inventory of all documents that may need restoration. This will help ensure a smooth, efficient pack out.
Act Swiftly
- Act swiftly to help prevent further damage. The quicker you act, the better your chances at recovering sensitive documents.
Understand the Process
- Understand that some damage is indefinite, such as ink runs, and ink or mold stains. Keep in mind, certain types of damage can deeply embed into the papers’ fibers upon loss. While we do everything we can to restore your documents to pre-damaged condition, this type of damage cannot be undone. Once documents are damaged, they will likely not look brand new again.
What NOT to Do After Documents are Damaged
Do Not Re-Moisturize
- Re-moisturizing documents will hinder the restoration process and can yield further deterioration.
Do Not Lay Documents Flat
- Do not lay documents flat. Although it may seem natural, doing so increases the risk of mold growth and the documents adhering, which reverses the restoration process. Consider placing documents in an upright position.
Six Steps in Our Document Restoration Process
- Pack out/delivery
- Inventory/assessment
- Freezer
- Vacuum freeze-drying
- Gamma irradiation
- Additional services
- 24/7 Emergency Service
- Highly Trained Team
- Easier Insurance Claims Process
Visit our FAQ and Glossary to learn more.
Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Historical_document
https://libguides.tru.ca/c.php?g=193952&p=1276162
https://www.marthastewart.com/7618577/difference-between-antique-vintage-explained
https://www.fema.gov/press-release/20210318/key-steps-recover-documents-fema-disaster-assistance
https://www.ramseysolutions.com/retirement/organizing-your-important-documents
https://www.safewise.com/blog/keep-important-documents-safe-home/
https://www.consumerreports.org/money/taxes/how-long-to-keep-tax-documents-a5302825423/