What is a crucial factor for the restoration of water-damaged documents?

Immediate freezing or drying is a crucial factor for the restoration of water-damaged documents because both methods effectively prevent the further deterioration of the paper and the ink used in printing. When documents become wet, the risk of mold growth and ink bleeding increases significantly. By either freezing the documents right away or drying them promptly, restoration professionals can halt the damage process. Freezing stops the chemical reactions and biological activity responsible for deterioration without causing additional harm, while drying reduces moisture levels quickly.

This immediate action is essential because the longer the documents remain in a wet state, the more likely they are to sustain irreversible damage. Therefore, timely intervention by freezing or drying is paramount in ensuring that the integrity of water-damaged documents is preserved as much as possible. This is why immediate freezing or drying is a top priority in document restoration.