Restoring Fire-Damaged Artwork and Collectibles: What You Should Know

12/11/2024 (Permalink)

Restoring fire-damaged artwork and collectibles takes skill, and it’s important to know how it’s done.

When a fire hits your home, it can be overwhelming to see the damage it causes, especially to personal treasures like artwork and collectibles. At SERVPRO of Nantahala, we understand how much these items mean to you. Restoring fire-damaged artwork and collectibles takes skill, and it’s important to know how it’s done.

How Fire Damages Artwork and Collectibles

Fires can damage artwork and collectibles in different ways. Direct contact with flames, extreme heat, and even smoke and soot can cause significant damage. Even items that aren’t burned might suffer from smoke residue, soot, or water damage from firefighting efforts.

In fact, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reports that local fire departments respond to just under 350,000 home fires on average each year, which can cause billions of dollars in damage. Many times, this damage includes valuable and sentimental items like artwork and collectibles. 

How To Restore Fire-Damaged Artwork and Collectibles

Restoring items after a fire isn’t as simple as wiping them down. It requires specialized techniques and tools to ensure the artwork or collectibles are properly cleaned and preserved. Here’s how professionals at SERVPRO® handle it:

1. Assess the Damage

Before anything else, professionals will examine the items to see what can be saved. Each piece needs to be looked at individually, as different materials react differently to fire, smoke, and water. Some items might need more delicate handling than others.

2. Soot and Smoke Removal

Smoke and soot can stick to the surface of your artwork and collectibles, causing stains and long-term damage. Cleaning off the soot requires a gentle approach. In some cases, professionals use a vacuum to remove loose soot before applying a safe cleaning solution that won’t damage the item.

3. Cleaning and Preservation

Different types of collectibles need different treatments. For instance, oil paintings require special solvents that won’t harm the paint. Paper-based items, like posters or photographs, often need dry-cleaning methods to avoid water damage.

4. Repair and Restoration

If the fire caused more serious damage—like warping, cracking, or fading—restoration may involve making repairs. This could include touching up a painting, repairing a frame, or fixing heat damage to fragile items. The goal is to restore the item while keeping its original look and feel.

5. Drying and Dehumidifying

Since water from firefighting efforts can also damage items, it’s important to make sure everything is dried out properly. Dehumidification and other drying techniques are used to prevent mold and stop further damage to your valuables.

Tips to Protect Your Artwork and Collectibles from Fire Damage

Although fires aren’t always preventable, there are some things you can do to protect your valuable items:

• Install smoke detectors: Make sure you have working smoke alarms in every room of your home. This gives you an early warning in case of fire.
• Use fireproof storage: For especially valuable or irreplaceable items, consider storing them in fireproof cabinets or using protective coverings.
• Take pictures of your collection: Having digital copies of your artwork and collectibles can help if they’re ever damaged. You’ll have a record of what you own, which can be helpful for insurance claims.

Fire-damaged artwork and collectibles don’t have to be a total loss. With the right expertise, many items can be saved and restored. Our team specializes in helping people recover after a fire by carefully restoring these valuable items. If you’ve experienced fire damage and need help with your artwork or collectibles, reach out to us today.