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The flooding in Queensland and the flooding in Victoria has brought us lots of questions about recovering VHS tapes as well as recovering Betamax, VHS-C and movie reels.
Yes, we handle flood damaged media such as movie reels and VHS,
and other types of movie tapes. Don't panic.
Contact us with your needs and we'll do our best to help you.
The following is information you might find helpful.
Mud, chemicals (ie. salt, chlorine), and biological contaminants (ie. sewage) typically found in flood water is often more damaging than the actual water itself.
If your video tapes have been in a flood . . .
- For health and safety reasons, it is advisable to wear rubber gloves and face mask whenever handling contaminated tapes.
- Do NOT try to play your tapes to see what's on them or to see if they work. You may damage them more and harm your player. Your tapes must be cleaned first and never played wet.
- It is extremely important to rinse your tapes as soon as possible.
Put your tapes into a large container filled with water. Tapes should be laid flat. To help air escape, make sure the tape window is facing down.
While the tape is under the water, gently shake it from side to side to help loosen the mud inside the case. Take it out of the water and let the muddy water inside pour out into a 2nd (dirt) container which you'll discard later.
Put the tape back into the clean water and repeat until the water inside the case comes out clean. Periodically replacing the water in the large container as it gets dirty.
- Tap water generally contains chlorine. If possible use distilled water instead. However, if tap water is all you can get, that's better than no water at all.
- Keep your tapes wet if you can get them to a restorer within a few days. The sooner they're restored, the better your chance is to recover what's on them. Keeping them damp too long will cause further damage and mould growth.
- Do NOT take apart the case and remove the tapes. Yes, you may see lots of mud inside the case. However, your tapes in this condition are very delicate and should be handled by a professional. (The case we're talking about is the one that actually holds the tape, not the outer storage case).
Disclaimer: This page is provided for informational purposes only. We do not recommend that you attempt to treat flood-damaged tapes yourself. |
Preventing Future Trouble
- Always rewind tapes. In a flood the most vulnerable area is the beginning of a tape. Rewinding puts the tape's leader first helping to minimize damage to the actual video section.
- Store your media (tapes, movie reels, etc.) away from the floor and the ceiling.
Ceilings are several degrees hotter than a lower location, especially in a closed room/closet. Heat is the enemy of tapes and film.
Storing your media away from the floor won't stop damage from a major flood, but it will avoid problems from minor flooding caused by things like broken water pipes in your home.
Store your tapes with the spine facing up will help avoid water being trapped in the case.
- Label your media. One of the problems people encounter in trying to recover their tapes is knowing what's on them. Is it a precious family home movie or simply something you taped off the TV?
The paper label stuck onto the front or side of a tape is most often damaged in a flood. The cardboard VHS case won't survive either.
We suggest you number your media clearly with a
permanent marker that won't wash off when wet. Then make a list of each numbered tape along with whatever info you've put on that label. Store that list in several places such as your computer, phone, etc.
- Transfer your tapes to DVD and CD. Discs survive floods much better than tapes.
If you've never had anything transferred, ask us. We're happy to
answer all your questions and
help you with your needs.
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