Caring for your Artwork Before / After a Storm
One of the most heartbreaking aspects of cleaning up after a hurricane is the loss of irreplaceable artwork. Good news is there's a way to salvage them!
AFTER
If your artwork got wet in a storm, dry it face-up with tissue paper underneath. Place the artwork in a dry, bright area and change out the tissue as it absorbs the water. Do not blot or scrub the surface of the piece.
If the artwork is stuck to the glass of a frame, do not try to take it out. Try the tissue paper technique with the glass on and if that doesn't work, bring it to a conservator.
If your home is without power for a long period of time, no need to fret. You can leave your artwork hanging or wrap the piece in cellophane or some sort of plastic/waxing paper if you're worried about the moisture in the air. Do not wrap your artwork in paper or lean canvases against each other, for they can stick to each other.
If your artwork is beyond saving, grieve the loss and photograph the damages. If your artwork is covered in your insurance, file a claim.
BEFORE
Luckily, there are ways to prevent this misfortune. Here are a few tips on how to prevent damage to your art and valuables:
1. Document all items by photographing their state before a storm. Get an appraisal done of any high price pieces.
2. For indoors - artwork hung on plaster walls needs extra stability; wet plaster could allow art pieces to fall. If possible, remove artwork from walls and move to interior walls (preferably no windows) and place them as high as possible. If stacking artwork, wrap the items in plastic and stand them up vertically separated by cardboard that is larger than the artwork.
3. For outdoor artwork and sculptures, bring them indoors if possible. If they cannot be moved, wrap them in blankets tied with rope to protect them from wind damage.
4. Lastly, update your insurance coverage.