Film and tape are very susceptible to damage from water, especially flood water that will be contaminated with dirt and debris.

Each type of object is affected in a slightly different way and requires a slightly different approach in preventing further damage. In all cases, the sooner you can start recovering the objects, the greater the chance of minimising damage.

However, the aftermath of a flood is dangerous with many unexpected hazards, so do not endanger your personal safety in an attempt to salvage your collection.

Also be aware that wet objects may be contaminated with a range of biological or chemical hazards and good hygiene is required when handling flood affected objects. 

The first step is to make sure that the object has actually been affected by the flood waters. Often the film can or tape box will provide enough protection to prevent the water damaging the object.

If the object is not affected then just protect it from further damage that is likely to be caused by the damp conditions, such as mould.

The following information contains some simple steps that you can take to salvage and stabilise your audiovisual objects.

For valued items please seek expert advice from a conservator who may be able to assist in salvaging materials damaged by water.

Film

The biggest threat to flood affected film is mould and bacteria. Both these will feed off and destroy the film very rapidly. Both mould and bacteria may pose a health risk so if the film appears to be mould affected take all the precautions necessary to avoid contact.

If your film has been affected by floodwater then:

• rinse it with the cleanest water you can find to wash off loose dirt or mud
• label the film reels with some form of identifying label or tag
• place the film in a plastic bag, remove as much air as possible and seal the bag tightly. Label the bag and then place the film in a freezer if possible
• arrange for conservation work as soon as possible. Visit this website or the Australian Institute for the Conservation of Cultural Material (AICCM) website for more information on conservation
• if you do not have access to a freezer, place the film in a bucket of cool water and change the water each day until you can arrange for conservation work. This will keep the film in reasonable condition for about 2 weeks
• do not unwind the film to see if it is OK. The film may have stuck together and any attempt to unwind it may result in it being permanently damaged
• do not try to dry the film until you have received advice from a conservator on the best way to do this.

Visit the AICCM website for more information on conservation.

Magnetic tape

UMatic Video Tape with Mould

Magnetic tapes include items like audio cassettes, video cassettes (like VHS), and reel-to-reel audio tapes. These formats are especially vulnerable to damage from water and they don’t always recover well after a flood.

• Mould is a serious risk with wet tapes. It can be harmful to your health, so always wear gloves and a mask when handling mouldy items.
• A key part of the tape, called the binder, can break down when it gets wet. This is what holds the magnetic material to the tape. If it deteriorates, the tape may become sticky or shed its coating – making recovery much harder.
• MiniDV tapes are made from different, more delicate materials. Unfortunately, they’re extremely sensitive to water, and recovery success is low. Be prepared that some tapes may be unrecoverable, even with expert help.
• If your tape has been exposed to floodwater, rinse it gently with the cleanest water available. Bottled or distilled water is your best option.
• If any labels on the tape are loose or have come off, carefully re-attach them to ensure they don’t get lost.
• Store the tape in a cool environment but avoid freezing it.
• If possible, send the tape to a conservator for treatment before it completely dries out. Professionals have the tools and expertise to restore tapes without causing further harm.
• Do not attempt to play the tape “just to see if it’s OK”. This will not only result in damage to the tape but also your playback equipment!
• Do not try to dry the tapes in an oven.

Discs

While all discs are fairly resistant to the immediate effects of floodwater, there may be long-term effects, especially for optical discs.

• Mould may be found on some discs, but it is more likely to be growing on the paper covers and inserts. If there are signs of mould, take all the precautions necessary to prevent skin contact and breathing in the spores.
• Rinse the disc with the cleanest available water.
• If the centre label on a vinyl disc is loose or has washed off identify the disc and label as belonging to each other so these do not become separated.
• Once you have rinsed the discs air dry them in a dust free environment.
• Have vinyl discs properly cleaned before playing them.
• CDs and DVDs that you have the rights to copy (i.e. non commercially produced) should be duplicated as soon as possible.
• Do not scrub or wipe acoustic (vinyl) discs to remove any mud or debris that does not rinse off easily, scrubbing will scratch the disc.
• Do not scrub or wipe the label side of a CD, the label may be made from materials that are affected by water and wiping may damage the label which actually helps protect the most vulnerable part of the CD.
• Do not try to dry the discs in an oven.

An expert conservator can assist by providing information on the best ways to stabilise your flood damaged objects and give any precious objects the best chance of recovery.