Protect Artwork from Heat & Water Damage

By Tina S. Singh

November 26th, 2024

BURLINGTON, ON

Artwork in various forms has the power to grab attention, inspire, and stir emotions. That said, whether it’s a bespoke painting, a sculpture, or a precious photograph, such items must be safeguarded and preserved for future art enthusiasts to enjoy. Without proper care, water damage or heat can severely impair valuable art items you’ve spent considerable time collecting.

Understand the Risk of Water Damage and Heat

If this was your home – the flooding would have damaged some of your art beyond repair.

Extreme heat and water damage can wreak havoc on art items. Water can permeate delicate materials, causing warping, ballooning, and color distortion. Such a threat can accelerate mold growth issues, compromise artwork appearance, and pose health concerns. Intense heat conditions ultimately lead to fading, flaking, and degradation of art mediums, including canvas, paint, and paper.

In this guide, let’s discuss expert tips to help you protect your precious collection from potential dangers.

1. Climate Control

In other words, maintain a stable environment. Keeping your artwork in a controlled setting (ideally 68-720F and 40-50% humidity) is critical to preserving art. Install temperature and humidity monitors to ensure the parameters remain within the desired range, especially within storage spaces like galleries and studios.

2. Ample Ventilation

Adequate ventilation limits excessive moisture buildup and curbs the risk of mildew and mold growth. Do not store or exhibit your art pieces in damp, poorly ventilated spaces like basements or attics. If you store your art items in storage boxes, ensure the containers are moisture-resistant and boast adequate airflow.

3. Disaster-Proof Storage

Preparing a solid disaster plan to cater to extreme weather conditions is a good idea. Neglected drain pipes, lapses in inspection, and blocked grates are among the leading causes of flooding, triggering substantial damage with financial implications to homeowners. Consider elevating your artwork storage racks—such a move limits direct contact with the floor in the event of flooding. Investing in waterproof and fire-resistant safes adds an extra protective measure.

A solander box, a drop-spine box, or a clamshell is an excellent storage idea to protect your valuable artwork. Thanks to its solid case with a hinged lid, a solander box design allows it to open flat, allowing you easy access to your valuables. It shields enclosed items from the weather elements, ensuring longevity.

To build a solander box, you will need:

• 

  Drop-spine box

  2 sturdy cardboard rectangles to form the base/lid plus sides of the drop-spine box

• 2 pieces of card to serve as the outer protective cover. These must be slightly larger than the box “footprint” in dimension on three sides.
• 1 piece of card to form the spine of the solander box—should be the same dimension lengthwise as the cover pieces. Ensure it matches the height measurements of the drop-spine box in width.
• A piece of fabric to cover and bind everything together. Make the fabric as colorful and patterned as desired.
• 2 lengths of ribbon (these tie your box closed once the project is finished)
• PVA glue
• Paper clips to hold things together as the glue dries

Very very hard to recover art work that has been damaged by water from flooding.

Procedure:

1. Fold upwards along the sides of the base and lid pieces, including the corners, to form a box shape. Glue the triangular corners to the inner adjacent walls. Here, use the best types of glue for household use. Hold the pieces together using a clip temporarily.
2. Spread out your fabric and place the two cover pieces with the spine positioned in the middle (allow for a few millimeters gap between them). Use scissors to cut the material diagonally across its corners (as far as the cover pieces allow).
3. Glue the cardboard pieces to the fabric as currently positioned.
4. Fold the ends of the fabric up and around the pieces and apply glue—use paper clips to keep everything in place.
5. Glue the two strips of ribbon midway down the outer edges of the covers, allowing for adequate free ribbon to tie in a bow together after completing the project.
6. Glue the smaller box onto the right cover.
7. Fit the larger box over the smaller one—leaving a gap at the turn close to the spine.
8. Apply glue to the upside-down cardboard box and lift the covered card as if closing a book. Next, press down gently until the two surfaces stick.
9. Once the glue dries, place your taonga inside. For extra protection, you can opt to wrap it in tissue paper.

If your house had been flooded – your art work may have ended up in a pile like this.

Now’s the Time to Disaster-Proof Your Precious Artwork

Protecting your artwork from adverse environmental elements requires a mix of skill, care, and proactive measures. Pick the correct display methods, invest in proper storage, and you can be sure your cherished artwork will retain its vibrant appeal.